Watersheds are very complex, ever changing systems. Land forms, natural occurrences, rainfall, erosion, soil types and land use are just a few of the many factors that affect watersheds.

Urbanization is one human activity that has a dramatic effect on the quality of the waters in our watersheds. There are many actions that our governments, developers and individuals can take to minimize negative impact to the health of our streams One of the most effective protections we can adopt is to plant or leave buffer zones of native grasses and flowers, trees and shrubs along our waterways. Buffers act as water filters by trapping sediments and pollutants and slow storm water velocity. They also provide beauty, habitat and value to our communities.

Learn more, visit www.sgrwa.org