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Rain Gardens - Protect the Great Bay Estuary
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NH Coastal Protection Partnership 162 Thornton St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 617-0679 Email: [email protected] www.nhcoast.org
“Your voice for New Hampshire’s coast”
NH Coastal Protection Partnership
The New Hampshire Coastal Protection Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization working to reduce water pollution in the Great Bay Estuary. Through public outreach and on the ground conservation projects, NH Coast provides seacoast residents with the resources they need to take action to mitigate water pollution in their own backyards and communities.
You can help. Become a Business Member of NH Coast and help us save Great Bay!
o With 144 miles of tidal coastline, the Great Bay Estuary is New Hampshire’s “hidden coast”
o The estuary serves as habitat for more than 162 bird, plant, and fish species
o 23 of these species were listed as endangered or threatened as of 2003
o The bald eagle, peregrine falcon, Great Blue Heron, Atlantic salmon, oyster, soft shell clam and lobster are just a few of the species that call Great Bay home
o Great Bay is one of the largest estuaries in the Atlantic Ocean
o The estuary is home to the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
A Great Blue Heron eyes the estuary’s shallow waters in search of fish!
The Great Bay Estuary
NH Coastal Protection Partnership 162 Thornton St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 617-0679 Email: [email protected] www.nhcoast.org
o NHDES has listed the Bellamy River, Cocheco River, Lamprey River, Salmon Falls River, Oyster River, Piscataqua River & Great Bay as impaired or threatened by water pollution
o Adult oyster populations in Great Bay declined by 92 percent between 1997 and 2009
o Eelgrass biomass in the estuary declined by 64 percent between 1990 and 2008
o Run-off pollution from lawn fertilizers, leaky septic tanks, and animal waste contributed to a 42 percent increase in the total nitrogen load to Great Bay between 1990 and 2008
o Nitrogen pollution can trigger massive algal blooms that consume oxygen and block out sunlight aquatic life needs to survive, leading to a loss of habitat. This deadly process is called eutrophication
o Experts believe urgent action is needed to prevent eutrophication in Great Bay
Before and after photos of a lake impacted by an algal bloom
o Stormwater run-off is a leading source of water pollution in Great Bay
o Rain gardens absorb run-off, filtering out pollutants & recharging groundwater
o NH Coast is building demonstration rain gardens in New Castle & Portsmouth in 2010
o The rain gardens will be planted with native species
o Informational signs and literature will accompany each rain garden
o NH Coast provides seacoast property owners with tips on how to plant a rain garden through our website, workshops, and presentations
A rain garden in bloom
The Great Bay Estuary: An eco-system in decline
Solution #1: NH Coast’s Community Rain Garden Program
NH Coastal Protection Partnership 162 Thornton St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 617-0679 Email: [email protected] www.nhcoast.org
o Rain barrels capture stormwater before it can run-off, helping to reduce run-off pollution
o Rain barrels also conserve water and help people save money on water bills
o NH Coast volunteers build eco-friendly rain barrels out of recycled food grade plastic drums
o Our Rain Barrel Raffles are popular attractions at community events like the Portsmouth Sustainability Fair
o Upcoming events include “How to build a rain barrel” workshops
o NH Coast will also be publishing print and online versions of a new “How to build a rain barrel” guide
Rain barrels conserve water and help to reduce run-off pollution
o Nitrogen run-off pollution from household sources like leaky septic systems, lawn fertilizers, and pet waste is contributing to the overall decline of the Great Bay Estuary
o NH Coast’s Nitrogen Reduction Campaign empowers citizens to take action to reduce nitrogen pollution right in their own backyards
o Through workshops, direct mailings, publications and our website, NH Coast teaches seacoast residents how to make estuary friendly decisions about lawn fertilization
o NH Coast’s staff researches locally available lawn fertilizers and promotes estuary friendly brands
Leaving grass clippings behind is an eco-friendly and free way to fertilize your lawn
Solution #2: NH Coast’s Rain Barrel Program
Solution #3: NH Coast’s Nitrogen Reduction Campaign
