Do It Yourself
Activities that will help you become a better custodian of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed

Getting Involved in Improving Water Quality

Everyday decisions you make affect the quality of Durham's streams, rivers, and lakes. The NC Clean Water Education Partnership (NC CWEP) website describes how everyday decisions around the house affect water quality.

Controlling Mosquitoes in Wetland Plantings

Steve Hiltner has written an article on controlling mosquitoes in wetland plantings

Gardening for Wildlife

"North Carolina Partners in Flight (NC-PIF) is a cooperative effort to further bird conservation by involving government agencies, conservation organizations, private industry, the academic community, and citizens.  The primary focus of NC-PIF is to coordinate and promote education, habitat conservation, and research efforts among its Partners."

"The CarolinaScapes Guides are designed to help citizens of North Carolina maintain environmentally sound landscapes that feature the use native plants and create favorable wildlife habitat."

Invasive exotic plants to avoid

"... a compilation from invasive exotic plant lists of regional and state agencies in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.  ...  The list is based on expert observational data and not on extensive biological research.  It is, however, the most accurate approximation of the invasive exotic plant species in the southeastern United States.  It is intentionally extensive in order to give the public a reasonable degree of confidence that any landscape plant not listed has a low potential for invasiveness.  Not static, this compilation will change as new information is gathered."

Storm Water Runoff

Suggestions for how to minimize the storm water runoff damage for you, your neighbors, and fellow Durhamian's.  For example, keep the runoff from taking your topsoil down stream,  ways to use the water in your yard, and controlling mosquitoes.

Dragonfly Notes

Josh Rose's article on considerations for building a dragonfly magnet in your own backyard.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat

"Since 1973, the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program has been helping people garden for wildlife. The program encourages everyone - homeowner, teacher, community leader - to plan their landscape with the needs of wildlife in mind, and gives them the tools they need to make it happen. Today, thousands of habitats have been certified all over the U.S. and Canada, and more are being certified every day!"

Landscape with Native Plants

"The use of native plants in landscaping is a celebration of our natural heritage and an awakening of a land ethic first expressed by Aldo Leopold more than 50 years ago. The natural processes from which natives evolve represents the cog and wheel of a healthy ecosystem sustained by a complex web of biological diversity.

Native plants have many inherent qualities and adaptive traits that make them aesthetically pleasing, practical, and ecologically valuable for landscaping.  Using native plants contributes to the health and often the restoration of an ecosystem.

Online Training in Watershed Management - US EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency maintains a Watershed Academy that offers training courses, publications, and Web-based training.   They have developed an online Watershed Management training course consisting of self-paced training modules that represent a basic and broad introduction to the watershed management field. The modules are organized by the six themes listed below and take from ½ hour to 2 hours to complete. You can even get a Watershed Academy Certificate.

  • Introductory/Overview Modules
  • Watershed Ecology Modules
  • Watershed Change Modules
  • Analysis and Planning Modules
  • Management Practices Modules
  • Community/Social Context Modules

Wildlife Publications - NCSU Extension Forestry

A series of brief, illustrated, non-technical information sheets that describe life history, food sources, and management tips for forest and urban dwelling wildlife. This series is tailored for landowners, homeowners and students.

Backyard Conservation - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Just as they do on the farm, conservation practices on nonagricultural land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality, inspire a stewardship ethic, and beautify the landscape.

"Backyard Conservation" shows you how conservation practices that are used on agricultural land across the country to conserve and improve natural resources can be adapted for use on the land around your home. These practices help the environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable.

Whether you have acres in the country, an average-sized suburban yard, or a tiny plot in the city, you can help protect the environment and add beauty and interest to your surroundings. Ten conservation practices have been scaled down for homeowners and city residents to use in their yards. Tip sheets offer "how to" steps and helpful hints on the following practices:

  • Backyard Pond
  • Backyard Wetland
  • Composting
  • Mulching
  • Nutrient Management
  • Pest Management
  • Terracing
  • Tree Planting
  • Water Conservation
  • Wildlife Habitat