Watershed Protection
The Center for Watershed Protection defines a watershed as "the land area that drains to a common body of water, (such as, a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, or even the ocean)". Watershed protection is important because everyone lives in and relies on a watershed, which provides, among other things, drinking water, wildlife habitat, and nutrients for soil. Sustainability Directors interested in learning more about watershed protection can visit the Center for Watershed Protection’s website and download free materials regarding watershed protection and restoration, stormwater management, urban watershed forestry, wetlands, and coastal watersheds. The website contains reports, databases, manuals, guides, and links to other websites that provide additional information.
Stormwater management for urban areas
Stormwater management is a watershed protection issue of particular importance for urban areas. Impervious surfaces such as highways and parking lots can threaten watersheds because they prevent water from soaking into the ground thereby increasing the amount of stormwater runoff flowing into streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Not only does this excess volume cause flooding and erosion, it also carries pollutants found on paved surfaces such as oil, grease, trash, and pesticides. Both the Center for Watershed Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provide comprehensive information regarding stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Sustainability Officers can use these resources to gain a better understanding of how to protect bodies of water from increased stormwater runoff.
