Mission
Friends of Sligo Creek is committed to restore to health the water
quality, natural habitat, and ecological well-being of the Sligo Creek
watershed by bringing neighbors together to build awareness, improve
natural habitat, and protect our community's heritage.
Friends of Sligo Creek Activities
Removing Invasive Plants – The RIP project is a Friends of Sligo Creek
initiative to help concerned citizens remove invasive plants from the
park. Invasive plants that are not native to Sligo Creek are taking over
large sections of the watershed and damaging native plants. Friends is
collaborating with the Department of Parks, who see a major need for
invasive plant removal but have limited staff and resources. Check out
our website to find out when you can help with events in your area.
Storm water – Excessive storm water run-off and its after effects are
harmful to the health of Sligo Creek and surrounding neighborhoods.
This very active group has brought to light many storm water
management issues in the watershed, resulting in many improvements.
Litter cleanups – A new committee chair has really revitalized this
group in 2006. Our spring clean-ups are over, but you can join the
committee and help Friends set litter reduction strategies. Don’t miss
our Fifth Annual “Sweep the Creek” this September 30th.
Monitoring water quality - We’ll train you to help test water! We also
need you to “keep an eye” on the creek and report anything suspicious.
Educational walks and talks – Join us for events in the park. Come to
program meetings to learn more about the ecology & history of Sligo.
Join Us
www.fosc.org
10 Things You Can Do to Help Sligo Creek
and the Greater Watershed
1.
If your yard borders the creek, don't dump grass clippings,
brush or plant matter over the fence. The clippings add nutrients to
your yard, so scatter them there or use a mulching mower.
2.
Limit the use of chemicals on your lawn. Over fertilizing and
using harsh and powerful pesticides can cause problems in the Creek
and the Chesapeake Bay.
3.
Reposition your gutter drainage so that water filters directly on
to the yard, rather than on to pavement and into storm drains. This
hydrates the plants and grass and reduces run-off into the Creek.
4.
Keep your street free of debris and litter. Trash can easily be
washed down into the Creek through gutters when it rains.
5.
Clean up after your pet when walking through the trails and
along the streets in your own neighborhood. Fecal matter is a serious
pollutant.
6.
Teach your children and teens not to litter.
7.
Reduce dependence on plastic bottles and containers - they can
only be recycled once. Plastic beverage bottles are a major litter
eyesore.
8.
If you are planning a driveway, walkway, or patio, consider an
environmentally friendly design that minimizes use of concrete and
other impervious materials.
9.
Plant flowers, shrubs and trees in your yard. They provide
many services, including absorbing water and providing habitat for
wildlife. Also try to remove invasive plants such as English ivy and
kudzu before they spread to the creek.
10. Join the Friends of Sligo Creek when we work in the park.
Visit us on the web at www.fosc.org to learn more about the things
our volunteer leaders and members do for the creek.
For more info about environmentally friendly landscaping see:
http://www.fosc.org/PDF/LawnCareAndTheCreek.pdf
http://www.fosc.org/PDF/ecosavvy.pdf
Join Us
www.fosc.org