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PHOSPHORUS: Threatening Indiana's Water from lawn to lake
Click here to sign our phosphorus-free pledge!
Phosphorus is a naturally-occurring nutrient used by plants. Though plants need phosphorus to grow, they only need a small amount. Here in Indiana, most lawns have more than enough phosphorus for healthy growth.
Excess phosphorus runs off into local streams, waterways, and rivers. Once in the water, this nutrient can promote algal blooms or undesirable surpluses of algae growth, which make habitats unsustainable for many species. Blooms cause water quality to decline by blocking sunlight, reducing water oxygen levels, and disrupting food chains. Without proper living conditions, less species survive, and biodiversity decreases.
You can help address these problems by using a phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. Use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer to help conserve local habitats, support biodiversity, and improve Indiana’s water quality!
When in doubt, follow the Four Rs:
1. Right product
2. Right rate
3. Right place
4. Right time
GET INFORMED
Download IWF's Phosphorus fact sheet.
Click here for a great poster on Blue-Green Algae.
Current research
IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES)
CEES carefully studies algae and its correlation to nutrient pollution in Indiana. The group has focused much of its research on how phosphorus affects water quality and algae growth. Visit the CEES website for updates and information on water quality issues in Central Indiana.
Purdue’s Department of Agronomy
Purdue's scientists have developed many projects examining turfgrass and Indiana soils. By studying local soil samples, researchers have determined that the majority of Indiana lawns do not require supplemental phosphorus. As part of Purdue’s Turfgrass Program, this website has several publications with lawn care information. Refer to this information before you fertilize your lawn.
Check below for more links and information!
Algal bloom White River (IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science, 2009)
GET INVOLVED
Clear Choices Clean Water
Check out the great resources from our partners at clearchoicescleanwater.org
Test your soil.
This guide from the Purdue Turfgrass Science Program explains how to take a sample of your soil and get it tested for phosphorus and other nutrients. Or, test with Scotts. Remember to test your lawn before you apply fertilizer!
These lawn care providers supply environmentally-friendly fertilizers. Hoosiers in central Indiana can visit these suppliers of phosphorus-free fertilizers. (Lists provided by Hamilton Co. SWCD)
These companies will test your soil for you:
Mail soil samples to these labs:
Upcoming Events/Workshops
Thank you to everyone who participated in Conservation Day 2010! We had a great turnout and informed a LOT of legislators about INCA's priorities. In case you missed it, here is the presentation from IWF's Executive Director John Goss.
Check this space often for other upcoming workshops and events related to the phosphorus-free campaign.
PHOSPHORUS LEGISLATION
Many states and communities have successfully restricted phosphorus.
MORE INFORMATION
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
Watersheds: This website gives a good reference for IDEM’s work with watersheds, such as the Indiana Nonpoint Source Management Plan and their concerns.
Algae: This government agency publishes recent health concerns with algae and presentations on the problems of algal blooms. This website is useful for understanding the state's perspective on phosphorus in our ecosystems.
Indiana Lakes Management Society, ILMS:
The ILMS website provides news updates and information concerning Indiana Lakes. This group works to conserve lakes along with the surrounding natural habitats through management, policy, and restoration efforts.
IUPUI CEES:
CEES's website contains information on Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance (ECWA) and the Upper White River Watershed Alliance (UWRWA) in addition to the work by IUPUI.
Purdue's Department of Agronomy:
Check its website forcurrent news and information from the Department of Agronomy.
Indiana Clean Lakes Program:
Glance especially at the Water Column Publications for more information on phosphorus and its impact on water quality. This partnership between IU and IDEM works to improve the health of Indiana's lakes and has been documenting the relationships between nutrients, algae, and all public Indiana lakes for the past 20 years.
Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District:
Hamilton Co. SWCD has numerous fact sheets on Backyard Conservation, including helpful techniques for developing rain gardens, controlling undesirable species in your yard, or even managing your lawn's nutrients.
Veolia:
As water is treated and transported through our neighborhoods in Central Indiana, Veolia works to establish the best quality of water possible and ensure compliance with U.S. EPA guidelines. Use this website to learn about simple water conservation techniques.
Lawn Reform Coalition:
Learn about environmentally-friendly techniques for establishing lawns and the basic needs of a lawn. By establishing the essentials in lawn care, one can begin to redesign a normal grass lawn.
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