What are some easy things I can do outside?
1. Plant native, bee-friendly flowers.
Did you know that bees are a critical pollinator species with a declining population? Did you also know they are attracted to blue, yellow, and purple flowers? If you feel like planting something bigger, consider a tree. Bees like flowering trees, too. See below for more information about planting bee-friendly flowers.
More information: NC Wildlife Federation
2. Plant a native tree.
Chapel Hill's hardiness is zone 7b. This describes the temperature at which certain plants can thrive. Planting trees that fit our zone will help them have long and healthy lives, and a couple of beautiful examples include Dogwoods and Eastern Redbuds. Lastly, be conscious of the location, depth of the hole, and distance from other trees.
More information: Planting Techniques
3. Switch to electric yard equipment.
Electric mowers and blowers produce zero emissions while providing a much quieter experience for you and your neighbors.
4. Move the mower blades up when warm weather arrives.
Did you know that taller blades of grass shade the roots and require less watering? Moving the mower blades up is not only good for the grass - it also means spending less time watering your yard.
5. Water in the early morning.
When the weather is warm and dry, irrigate your yard in the early morning before the heat of the day sets in. This way you don't lose water through evaporation and use more than you need to.
6. Start a compost pile.
The US EPA estimates that 70% of the municipal solid waste stream is from organic material. This is a big source of greenhouse gases like methane, and composting allows you to reduce this waste while creating rich soil for your yard. If backyard composting isn’t a good fit, there are a variety of compost drop-off sites at recycling centers and farmer's markets around Orange County.
More information: Orange County Solid Waste
7. Hang a bird feeder, a hummingbird feeder, or both.
Help support our local bird population, and see if you can learn all of their names! Don't forget to clean your feeders regularly.
8. Create a Monarch waystation.
Monarch butterflies are a species that is vulnerable to habitat loss. Waystations are plantings, like milkweed, that provide a place for these butterflies to lay their eggs. Seed kits are available for purchase.
9. Disconnect your Downspout
Downspouts are commonly connected to drains that feed into the sewer system. Sewer systems can become overwhelmed during heavy or prolonged rains, and disconnecting your downspout to let water drain into your yard (or a rain barrel) can prevent stormwater issues. Capturing the water in a rain barrel allows you to use it for watering plants.
10. Adopt a storm drain.
Do you have a storm drain near your home that always seems clogged with debris? Cleaning the top of the storm grate helps stormwater flow properly and prevents unwanted trash or debris from entering our local waterbodies.
11. Pick up after your dog.
This helps keep our local waterways cleaner and protects them from bacteria. Does your neighborhood have pet waste stations?