Hundreds of species of migratory birds
depend on riparian wetlands—narrow
strips of land bordering creeks, rivers
and other bodies of water—because of
the abundant food, water and cover they
provide. Riparian wooded areas provide
nesting habitat for large numbers of
resident and migratory bird species, and
during fall migration large numbers of
migratory birds use these areas as they
make their way south for the winter.
Riparian vegetation helps restore and
maintain water quality, acting as a
natural filter by removing sediments,
nutrients, fertilizers and other
pollutants from run off and groundwater
before it enters rivers and streams.
However, pollution can damage riparian
plants and the wetlands on which they
depend, reducing their effectiveness as
water filters.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Environmental Contaminants Program
works to prevent contaminants such
as pollution from affecting fish and
wildlife and their habitats. Through
investigations, permit review and
habitat restoration, and by working
with other federal agencies and state
agencies, the Service works to minimize
exposure of natural resources to harmful
chemicals and pollution on public and
private lands, including riparian
wetlands.
Serious water pollution problems persist
nationwide. As of 1996, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency, some
40 percent of the nation’s surveyed
rivers, lakes, and estuaries were too
polluted for basic uses such as fishing
and swimming.
Pollution enters our waters in many
different ways. Municipal waste
disposal, factory discharges, and oil or
chemical spills are “point-source” (or
“end of the pipe”) pollution, which is
easier to detect and regulate because
we can easily recognize its origin and
monitor discharges.
In many cases we cannot clearly
determine the origin of pollution.
For example, agricultural pesticides,
fertilizers, oil, and livestock waste may
be carried by runoff and contaminate a
stream dozens of miles away. Pollutants
also may be carried long distances
through the air and deposited on land
and water by rain. These are forms of
“non-point-source” pollution, which is
much more difficult to detect and
control.
Homeowners use up to 10 times more
chemical pesticides per acre on their
lawns than farmers and spend more per
acre, on average, to maintain their lawns
than farmers spend per acre on crops.
This contributes to non-point source
pollution in our streams and rivers.
If you use pesticides and other chemicals
to maintain your lawn and garden, you
can help reduce the amount of pollution
reaching our nation’s waters by
changing the way you care for your
yard.
Choose non-chemical weed controls
whenever possible, including mechanical
and physical controls such as mulching
to avoid weed growth, spading, hoeing
or pulling up weeds.
Mowfrequently and set your lawnmowerat
21⁄2 to 3 inches. This encourages a
healthier, thicker lawn by providing grass
more surface area to take in sunlight and
therefore, more energy to extend its root
system. This helps grass survive drought,
tolerate insect damage, fend off disease,
and shade out weeds that are attempting
to germinate and grow.
Minimize fertilizer use. Over fertilization
is a common problem and excess
fertilizer will likely wash into creeks and
rivers. Help prevent pollution from
fertilizer by taking these actions:
Use compost to develop healthy soils
and reduce the need for chemical
fertilizers.
Pesticides and Birds
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Catch the
Migration
Sensation
International
Migratory Bird
Day is May 8th
For a reasonable fee your County
Cooperative Extension Service can test
your soil to find out exactly what
nutrients it needs.
Watch the weather to make sure that
you do not apply fertilizers immediately
before a heavy rain.
Use organic (“slow-release”) fertilizers
rather than synthetic ones. Apply
fertilizer when the soil is moist and
lightly water. This will help fertilizer
move into the root zone instead of
blowing or washing away.
Calibrate your applicator to make sure
you apply the correct amount of
fertilizer.
Reduce your dependence on pesticides:
Minimize build up of pests,
automatically reducing the need for
pesticides, by moving piles of wood
away from the house, clearing away
litter, garbage and pet droppings, and
providing good drainage to prevent
standing water that will attract pests
such as mosquitoes.
Plant native grasses, shrubs and trees
(contact your County Cooperative
Extension Service for help in identifying
native plants). This will help decrease
the need for pesticides, fertilizers, and
excessive watering because native
plants are often hardier than non-native
plants and less susceptible to pests and
disease.
Put an assortment of plants in your
yard to increase biological diversity and
encourage a variety of beneficial
organisms that provide natural pest
control.
Rotate the plants in your annual
garden to reduce pest buildup.
Grow plants that are natural insect
repellents, such as lemon balm, among
your flowers and vegetables to help keep
unwanted insects away.
Use selected pesticides and apply them
carefully. If you must use a chemical
pesticide, use one that is specifically
registered for your needs and has the
least environmental impact. Apply it in a
controlled and localized a manner to help
prevent contamination of surrounding
areas by aerial drift, runoff or other
means. Contact your County
Cooperative Extension Service or local
nursery for help in identifying pesticides
that most closely meet these criteria.
Always closely read and follow the
directions on the product label when
applying pesticides. Be aware that many
“organic” pesticides may be just as toxic
as synthetic pesticides.
Attract Birds. Birds play an important
role in pest control. Even leaf-eating
birds prefer nutritious insects when
building strength for parenthood. In
fact, insects are a major part of many
songbirds’ diets. Attract more birds by:
planting native plants that provide
ample food, cover and shelter for birds
in you area (contact your County
Cooperative Extension Service for help
in identifying native plants that are
beneficial to local birds); and
placing a birdbath in the center of your
garden (birds can usually find enough
food, but often adequate water is hard
for them to come by).
Other Suggestions
Here are a few other ways you can help
reduce the amount of pollutants
entering our waterways:
Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves and
debris out of street gutters and storm
drains—these outlets drain directly into
lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands. Pet
wastes contain bacteria and viruses that
can threaten fish, wildlife and people.
Avoid dumping oil, antifreeze or other
household chemicals into storm drains or
sewers, down a drain or in the toilet.
Contact your local Solid Waste
Management Office to find out how to
dispose of these materials properly.
Reduce runoff on your property by
minimizing hard surfaces around your
home—concrete patios, for example—
and increasing the area covered by
vegetation that allows water to seep into
the ground.
Properly install and maintain your
septic system. Install your septic system
in the right place to avoid high traffic
areas and trees. Trampling and tree
roots can crack pipes or obstruct flow of
wastewater. Also, make sure your septic
system is inspected and emptied every 3
to 5 years. Malfunctioning or
overflowing septic systems can release
bacteria and nutrients into surface and
groundwater.
Surf the World Wide Web. Several
web sites can teach you more about
caring for your lawn and garden,
backyard wildlife conservation, and
reducing nonpoint source pollution.
Here are a few to get you started:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Environmental Contaminants Program:
http://www.fws.gov/r9dec/ecprog.html
The Natural Resource Conservation
Service’s Backyard Conservation:
http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/
Backyard.html
The Natural Resource Conservation
Service’s Lawn and Garden Care:
http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/lawn.html
The U.S. EPA’s Office of Wetlands,
Oceans and Watersheds:
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW
The U.S. EPA’s Office of Pesticide
Programs: http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides
For more information, contact:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Office of Migratory Bird Management
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Suite 634
Arlington, VA 22203
703/358-1714
May 1999
