Gratitude for water, gardening and essential municipal workers
Now More Than Ever, Don’t Take Water for Granted
Water is always there when you need it. We rely on it for drinking, cleaning, cooking and bathing. Lately, we’ve used a great deal of it for washing our hands and keeping our homes and businesses clean. Drinking Water Week is May 3-9, and your friends at askHRgreen.org have a message for you: please don’t take water for granted. Now more than ever, we are keenly aware of the value of this most precious resource and its support of public health.
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 depends on handwashing and social distancing, two things made possible in part by tap water and the region’s water systems. This network, made up of miles of unseen pipes, ensures the safe supply of water to homes, businesses, hospitals and grocery stores 24/7 every day of the year.
The essential service that water provides – and the people who deliver it – should not be overlooked. Our region’s hard-working municipal workers have taken extra precautions on the job by wearing protective equipment, practicing social distancing, and dialing in remotely to ensure the continuity of service residents rely on for their well-being.
In recognition of Drinking Water Week, let’s raise a glass to all the water professionals behind the scenes who bring us this life-sustaining service. Water is the lifeblood of our communities. In this time of great uncertainty, it’s reassuring to know that tap water is always there for us when we need it.
Help for Learning in Place
With schools closed throughout Virginia, many parents find themselves in uncharted territory-overseeing their children’s “learning in place” studies. To help with the science end of the equation, askHRgreen.org is sharing free online environmental education lesson plans geared toward elementary and middle school students.
Covering local environmental topics such as recycling, water conservation, pollution prevention and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the lessons include informational videos, assignments and hands-on learning extensions such as crafts or science experiments. Parents and students can check each Monday for a new lesson, with a total of 10 tutorials to be posted through the end of the school year at askHRgreen.org.
Lawn Care as Therapy
Have you been tending to your flower beds lately? We have, too. These days, time in the garden can be therapeutic and a much-needed diversion. It’s also a great stress reliever, while giving you a natural boost of Vitamin D. Even without a trip to the garden center, there are mindful tasks you can be doing now that will benefit you – and the environment.
- Clean up – Rake up last year’s fallen leaves, limbs and branches, and pull weeds before they take over your landscape.
- Mow and mulch – When you mow, leave the clippings where they fall. Packed with nutrients, especially nitrogen, these will give your lawn a natural boost.
- Take stock of your tools – Assess your gardening tools, from shovels to shears. If you didn’t clean them before putting them away, scrape off any dirt and wipe them down.
- Don’t guess, soil test – When it comes to fertilizing, a professional soil test takes the guesswork out of how much (if any) amendments your lawn and garden will need. Since y ou can’t head to the garden center or local cooperative extension office to pick one up, try this DIY approach from Old Farmer’s Almanac, using items you m ay have around the house.
- Swap plants with your neighbor – “I’ll trade you my Lenten rose plantings for a packet of your sunflower seeds.” Plant swaps are growing in popularity, and a great way to adopt new plants without spending a dime.
- Start a compost pile – This is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus to your lawn and garden. Here’s a quick tutorial on composting. Not only are you adding organic matter to your soil, you’re diverting all this waste from the landfill.
- Pick up after your pet – High in nitrogen, phosphorus and teeming with bacteria and parasites, dog waste can have the opposite effect of fertilizer and burn your grass if you don’t pick it up.
Community Spotlight: Essential Workers
When the going gets tough, essential staff members keep going. Each month we highlight people in our region who are making a difference. It’s only natural then, that this month we pause to show appreciation to the many essential employees across Hampton Roads, who have answered the call to serve others during the COVID-19 shutdown.
While some shelter in place with endless Netflix streaming and new hobbies to pursue, essential staff members at your city or county operation centers continue to provide vital municipal services under increasingly difficult conditions. Like the delivery drivers, store clerks, hospital staff, first responders and others, their work doesn’t stop during emergencies. Municipal employees keep working so that:
- Our trash and recycling containers are emptied.
- Homes and hospitals have water for handwashing and cleaning.
- Streets are maintained.
- Waterways are protected from pollution.
These services bring a sense of order and normalcy to an otherwise chaotic time. The askHRgreen.org team extends our heartfelt appreciation to the many essential personnel across Hampton Roads, who have answered the call to serve. Thank you for keeping Hampton Roads going during these difficult days.
Parting Words: Put Litter in its Place
You’ve probably seen for yourself the proliferation of used gloves, protective face masks, and disinfecting wipes littering Hampton Roads streets and parking areas. These materials are a health risk for those who have to pick them up and a dangerous form of pollution for our environment. Be a responsible citizen and please (always) put litter in it’s place.
What Not To Flush
Don’t forget! So-called “flushable” wipes are not flushable. That goes for facial tissues, paper towels, dental floss, cotton swabs and feminine hygiene products, too. Anything other than water, toilet paper and your personal business can cause expensive and gross sewage backups. With everything else going on right now, is it worth it?