Watershed Champion Certification Application : How To Help : Gills Creek Watershed Association

Name

First Name *

Last Name *

Name as you want it to appear on your certificate if different

Phone Number

Address

Country

Address Line 1 *

City *

State/Province *

Postal Code *

Email (Required)

Check "Yes" below if you already have a Certified Carolina Yard or a Certified Wildlife Habitat, as either of these can serve as completion of steps 2 and 3. Please provide confirming documentation by mail or email (see address at the end of the application.)

Certified Carolina Yard or Certified Wildlife Habitat?

Step 1. Know Your Location in the Watershed.

You can locate your home on a map of your watershed by first choosing one of the two suggested map links in the Program Description and Guidance. Then follow the directions there to locate your home on the map. Check the boxes below to confirm the following:

I know which watershed I live in.
I understand the likely path(s) that heavy runoff water takes as it leaves my property to reach a receiving drain or waterbody or infiltrates into the soil.

Step 2. Improve and/or sustain quality of water running over and through your yard by doing at least 3 of the following.

Program Description and Guidance

(Check at least 3)

I commit to

A. Eliminate or reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and/or herbicides.
B. Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste from my yard.
C. Reduce the need for chemical fertilizers by reducing lawn area and/or increasing plantings of native species.
D. Use native groundcovers and organic mulch to stabilize erosion-prone areas and prevent erosion.
E. Pick up and properly dispose of human-made trash in and around my yard on a regular basis.
F. Help keep the storm drain closest to my home clear of debris and trash.
G. Have a rain garden in my yard to help capture runoff from my roof, driveway, sidewalks, or lawn.
H. Harvest rainwater with rain barrels or other devices.
I. Minimize impervious (hard) surfaces such as concrete, mortared or asphalt driveways, sidewalks, and patios on my property.

Step 3. Enrich the ecosystem by doing at least 3 of the following.

Program Description and Guidance

(Check at least 3)

I commit to

A. Plant native trees, shrubs, and/or herbaceous plants while reducing lawn and non-native plants.
B. Leave a vegetated buffer zone of native plants along the water’s edge (if my property includes a pond or creek.)
C. Retain some plant biomass (natural litter from trees, etc.) in my yard to serve as natural mulch, a.k.a "Leave the leaves."
D. Have a water source for wildlife (bird bath, fountain, small pond/water garden, and/or adjacent stream/pond.)
E. Share Watershed Champion information and ideas with a landscape maintenance person or company.
F. Share Watershed Champion information and ideas with my neighbors.
G. Engage with children and have them complete at least one of the activities suggested in the Program Description and Guidance (linked above.)

Step 4. Submit!

Submit your completed form, along with confirmation of Certified Carolina Yard or Certified Wildlife Habitat certification, if applicable. We will then send you a Watershed Champion certificate and celebrate you in our newsletter, on our social media, and in our annual report.

Check Yes if you wish to remain anonymous.

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Check Yes if you would like a Watershed Champion Yard Sign (mail $25 check to the address below.)

Complete and submit online OR print and submit by mail or email:

US Mail:
Watershed Champions Program
Gills Creek Watershed Association
712 Main St, EWS 617
Columbia, SC 29208

Email: coordinator@gillscreekwatershed.org

Thank you for being a Watershed Champion!