Water Conservation and Pollution Provention
Conserving water and keeping our water unpolluted is very important to the Elms (inside and outside). Our efforts range from low flow toilets to water quality testing and more.
Water Quality Testing Done with Seventh Graders (2011- present)
Seventh graders test the local waters for nitrates and phosphates during their visit to Elms. They also learn about the effect of excessive nitrates and phosphate in the Chesapeake bay and where these nutrients come from. Data collected indicates that our nursery is not harming our local wetlands.
Bay Keepers Water Quality Monitoring Project
The Baykeepers program began in 2004 as a school system wide citizen water quality monitoring project. It was originally taken on board by high school biology and environmental science students, though the data set was limited. Today it persists as part of the seventh grade native plant nursery project. Seventh graders monitor the quality of bodies of water adjacent to our nursery as part of the nursery's nutrient management plan; ensuring no detectable amounts of fertilizer from the nursery find its way into our local waters.
Baykeepers on the web: http://elms.smcps.org/student-work
Seventh graders test the local waters for nitrates and phosphates during their visit to Elms. They also learn about the effect of excessive nitrates and phosphate in the Chesapeake bay and where these nutrients come from. Data collected indicates that our nursery is not harming our local wetlands.
Bay Keepers Water Quality Monitoring Project
The Baykeepers program began in 2004 as a school system wide citizen water quality monitoring project. It was originally taken on board by high school biology and environmental science students, though the data set was limited. Today it persists as part of the seventh grade native plant nursery project. Seventh graders monitor the quality of bodies of water adjacent to our nursery as part of the nursery's nutrient management plan; ensuring no detectable amounts of fertilizer from the nursery find its way into our local waters.
Baykeepers on the web: http://elms.smcps.org/student-work
Low Flow Toilets Installed at Elms
Since last Green Center application the Elms has replaced 4 very old traditional toilets with low-flow toilets.
Since last Green Center application the Elms has replaced 4 very old traditional toilets with low-flow toilets.
Gravel Driveway and a Grassy Parking Area for Staff.
The Elms driveway is not paved, rather it is a gravel driveway. The staff parking lot is a grassy area near our butterfly garden. Less impervious surfaces means less runoff. Both help to keep the very nearby Chesapeake Bay clean.
The Elms driveway is not paved, rather it is a gravel driveway. The staff parking lot is a grassy area near our butterfly garden. Less impervious surfaces means less runoff. Both help to keep the very nearby Chesapeake Bay clean.
We Maintain Natural Buffer Areas
Along the bay,
around our pond,
along our marshes...
These planted areas provide protection: any pollution from surrounding areas will get absorbed in the buffer areas allowing the water to stay cleaner.
Along the bay,
around our pond,
along our marshes...
These planted areas provide protection: any pollution from surrounding areas will get absorbed in the buffer areas allowing the water to stay cleaner.
Automatic Timers for Nursery Irrigation System
The Elms Native Plant Nursery's watering system is on a timer. It allows for water to come on every third day, for example, if that is all that is needed.
The Elms Native Plant Nursery's watering system is on a timer. It allows for water to come on every third day, for example, if that is all that is needed.