At the Backyard Care Company, we believe that caring for your yard means caring for our whole community - including the rivers and streams that give life to our region. That's why we're proud to support two extraordinary organizations working to protect our local waterways: the South River Watershed Alliance and the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.
You might wonder why a yard care and pest control company is so invested in river conservation. The answer lies in understanding how deeply connected our yards are to our waterways. Most people know that when it rains, water flows from our yards into storm drains, streams, and eventually into our major rivers. What's less obvious is that chemicals applied to our yards can also seep down through the soil into groundwater, eventually making their way into our waterways - even if you live miles from the nearest stream or river.
Traditional lawn care practices often rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides that can have devastating effects on our water systems. These chemicals don't just harm wildlife - they can pose serious risks to human health as well. When pesticides and fertilizers contaminate drinking water sources, they can cause various health issues. Nitrates from synthetic fertilizers are particularly concerning for infants and pregnant women, while certain pesticides have been linked to developmental problems as well as other health concerns.
The environmental impacts are equally troubling. When these chemicals wash into rivers and streams, they can trigger a chain of events that harm entire ecosystems. Excess fertilizers can cause explosive algae growth that depletes oxygen from the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other aquatic life cannot survive. Meanwhile, pesticides can directly harm fish, amphibians, and other wildlife that call these waters home.
This understanding drives our commitment to using environmentally responsible methods in every yard we service. But we wanted to do more. That's why we actively support organizations working to protect and restore our local waterways.
The South River Watershed Alliance works tirelessly to protect and restore the South River, a vital waterway in metropolitan Atlanta. Through their dedication to water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, and community education, they're helping ensure this valuable resource remains healthy for generations to come. Their hands-on approach to river conservation, from organizing cleanups to conducting educational workshops, creates real, measurable improvements in our local water quality.
Similarly, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper serves as a powerful advocate for one of Georgia's most important rivers. Their comprehensive approach combines scientific research, legal advocacy, and community engagement to protect the river that provides drinking water to millions of people in our region. Their "Neighborhood Water Watch" program exemplifies their commitment to engaging community members in protecting our water resources.
Supporting these organizations allows us to extend our commitment to our community beyond the yards we service. While we work to prevent harmful chemicals from entering our waterways through responsible yard care and pest control practices, these organizations work to restore and protect the rivers that are so essential to our community's health and wellbeing.
Want to join us in protecting our local waterways? You can donate to the South River Watershed Alliance and the Chattahooche Riverkeeper directly. Or let us know if you'd like to join our team the next time we volunteer. We believe that everyone deserves access to clean, safe water - whether it's flowing from their tap or through their local stream. Together, we can create beautiful, healthy yards that are safe for the whole community and the natural resources that make it so special.