Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices or BMPs have been identified by a experts as having the most impacton the reduction of watershed pollution from landscape storm water runoff.

• Water-Efficient Gardening and Landscaping by University of Missouri Extension
• Conserving Water in the Landscape by University of Nebraska Extension
• Composting - Backyard Conservation by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Mulching - Backyard Conservation by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Using Mulches in Managed Landscapes by Iowa State University Extension
•  Animal Waste Collection by The Storm Water Center
•  Automobile Maintenance by The Storm Water Center
• Car Washing by The Storm Water Center

 General Resources

• Sustainable Urban Landscape Series - Comprehensive site giving information on design, plant selection, implementation and maintenance - by University of Minnesota.

Pest Management

• Nonchemical Pest Control for the Home Lawn and Garden - by Reiman Gardens - Iowa State University
• Weed Management in the Home Garden - by Iowa State University Extension
• On-line insect identification by Virginia Tech
• Botanical Insecticides in the Home Garden - by Iowa State University Extension
• Choose Pesticides Wisely - by Iowa State University Extension
• Understand Pesticide Labels  - by Iowa State University Extension
• Apply Pesticides Wisely  - by Iowa State University Extension
• Stotre Pesticides Wisely - by Iowa State University Extension

Agencies Involved in Water Quality Education

• Natural Resource Conservation Services
• Soil and Water Conservation Society
• Des Moines, Iowa Water Works
• Polk County Conservation Board
• Iowa's Living Roadways
• Iowa State University Partners in Water Quality

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