Picture the Wenatchee Campaign Launches!

Chelan County, (April 28, 2011):

The Picture the Wenatchee watershed stewardship campaign represents a collaborative effort between citizens, businesses, nonprofit groups, and public entities interested in improving water quality and stream habitat in the Wenatchee River and its tributaries through communication, education and action.

The campaign promotes watershed stewardship activities and also highlights all of the organizations working in the Wenatchee River watershed and the great work they do. The hope is to create a community around this common cause and connect the good stewardship message with actual watershed improvement projects in and along the Wenatchee River and its tributaries.

The primary objective of Picture the Wenatchee is to reduce non-point source pollution in the Wenatchee River watershed and get citizens involved in this effort. A watershed is a geographic area of land that drains water to a shared destination. The health of the Wenatchee River watershed affects all of us who live in the area. There are many small things citizens can do to help that can make a big difference.

The campaign is divided into four categories:  In Your Home, In Your Yard, With Your Vehicles and With Your Animals. Each category includes targeted actions for watershed improvement and incentives for engaging in those actions.

The incentives will be available as part of our “Watershed Care Package.” The Watershed Care Package is designed to get Wenatchee watershed residents started on their move toward better watershed stewardship. 

In Your Home citizens are encouraged to use low or no phosphorus soaps and detergents and will provide a sample of low phosphorus detergent to get you started.

In Your Yard citizens are encouraged to minimize use of fertilizers and harsh chemicals, restoring and protecting riparian areas, septic system maintenance and water conservation.  As an incentive information will be provided regarding cost-share programs for riparian restoration projects as well as coupons for 15% off at various local native plant nurseries.

With Your Vehicles citizens are encouraged to use a commercial car wash rather than washing in their own yard or driveway. As an incentive coupons and tokens redeemable at a local car wash will be included.

With Your Animals citizens are encouraged to pick up pet waste and fence livestock out of waterways.  As an incentive pet waste bag dispensers and information on cost-share programs for livestock exclusion fencing will be included.

 Anyone with an interest in Wenatchee River watershed health can join the Picture the Wenatchee campaign.  Get started by ordering your Watershed Care Package at the Picture the Wenatchee Website: WWW.PICTURETHEWENATCHEE.COM