It’s more critical than ever to keep the waters in Kitsap as clean as possible. We get our drinking water from the ground water in Kitsap (nothing comes from mountaintops), and we are at a critical juncture for protecting our streams and Puget Sound.

All the ground water and wetlands here flow, eventually, into Puget Sound. If we want to have a healthy, beautiful ecosystem around the Sound, we need to pay attention to the smallest stream or creek.

Here are some everyday things you can do to help:

• Pick up pet waste. In your yard, on the trail, on the road — put it in the garbage;

• Avoid chemical fertilizer — for your lawn or garden. Use only organic compost;

• Skip the pesticides all together;

• Plant native plants that do not require excessive watering or fertilizer or pesticide;

• Inspect and maintain your septic system;

• Maintain your car to minimize leaks;

• Wash your car only at a commercial car wash where the water is cleaned and recycled — not on your driveway.

• Sweep your deck, driveway or walk instead of hosing it off;

• When installing new pavement, try pervious pavement for your walk or driveway;

• Dispose of all hazardous waste, including used car oil, at the moderate risk waste facility in Gorst;

• Store farm manure in covered areas, away from water sources;

• Don’t dump any substance down any storm drain; it may not be filtered before dumping into the Sound;

• Don’t litter. And pick up what you can when you are out for a walk (wearing gloves is good). Especially take a walk on the beach and help clean it up — don’t wait for an organized clean-up day.

• Pay attention to what goes down your drain — at home and at work. Are you using organic soaps, lotions, shampoo and toothpaste? What about your laundry and dish soaps? If they’re not organic, you’re dumping chemicals in the water system; and

• Go easy on the pills. Are you consuming many pharmaceuticals and supplements? Everything your body sloughs off goes into our waters, so make sure you take only what’s needed and don’t overdose yourself or our water.

Puget Sound and our nearshore waterways are all teeming with the effects of humans living near them. We humans can do better in our protection of our own precious water resource.

We can’t all be perfect, but every one of us can improve our habits. At Stillwaters, we find new ways all the time, and we’ve been at this for years. So don’t get discouraged if you are new to water protection — just jump in. Pick a few things off of the list above and do what you can.

Stillwaters Events

Poetry and Essay Contest

Stillwaters is sponsoring a poetry and essay contest. The theme is Earth Day. Write a poem or short essay about the Earth, Nature or a favorite outdoor experience. Kids of any age are welcome to enter. Submissions should be sent to Stillwaters by April 15. A few submissions will be chosen to be read by the authors at EcoFest on April 25 at Stillwaters. There will be a display of entries at EcoFest as well. Contact Kari Golden at (360) 297-1226.

Earth Day EcoFest

EcoFest is a community celebration, with a selection of more than 40 exhibitors and displays to delight with all kinds of enviro-education and eco-friendly products, from electric scooters to bamboo floors. The event runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24.

There will be great music, food, and entertainment all day. We welcome Earth-friendly education or vendor booths. Contact Naomi Maasberg at (360) 297-1226 or info@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.

Shoreline Cruises

Come discover the shoreline from the water. The health of Puget Sound is at risk and Stillwaters is delving deep into the reason why by taking people out on the water. We’ll take a four-hour tour with Paul Dorn, fisheries biologist with the Suquamish Tribe, and Betsy Cooper, marine biologist. We will learn about the nearshore: the geologic formations, the critters who live there and how it is impacted by humans.

Tours will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15 and 22 and June 5 and 19. Suggested donation of $25 each or $40 per couple or parent and child. Cruise registration includes an optional overview class at 7 p.m. on either May 13 or June 3. Pre-register by calling (360) 297-1226.

Apple Tree Cove Kayak Tour

Get an up-close look at Appletree Cove from a two person kayak. Olympic Outdoor Center is providing the kayaks and Stillwaters is providing the educators. The health of Puget Sound is at risk and Stillwaters is delving deep into the reason why by taking people out on the water. Space will be limited so the tour can be as personal as possible.

Tour will run 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 20 and departs from Arness Park. Cost to be announced. Call (360) 297-1226 for information.

Nature Camp

Children in grades second through fifth to explore the many ecosystems around Stillwaters and the Carpenter Creek Watershed, Aug. 9-12. Cost is $100 for all four days. Pre-register at (360) 297-1226.