The Chesapeake Bay watershed spans 64,000 square miles and delivers hundreds of millions of pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus into the Bay each year. Excess nutrients cause algal blooms, reduce oxygen in the water and harm the plants and animals we depend on. By applying fer- tilizer only when needed, using data from soil tests and adopting more resilient soil practices, we reduce polluted runoff, strengthen plant health and cut pesticide reliance. respectDOWNSTREAM brings that knowledge to homeowners, landscapers, nonprofits and agencies throughout the watershed.
Healthy soil means cleaner water.
Every lawn, field, and garden plays a part in protecting our wa-
terways. By applying fertilizer responsibly — only when and where
it’s needed — we can strengthen our soil, reduce runoff, and keep
nutrients where they belong: in the ground, not the Bay.
Fertilizer isn’t the enemy — misuse is.
Most of the nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay comes from
fertilizers that wash away before plants can use them. When we
test our soil and apply nutrients based on real data, we feed plants
efficiently and protect the water we all depend on.
Protecting water quality takes all of us —
from homeowners to farmers,
landscapers to local governments.
Smarter fertilizer use, combined with stormwater management and
erosion control, helps us make measurable progress downstream.
What we know:
- If you live in the shaded area, you live in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
- And, if you do, what you apply to your lawn and garden matters
- Conducting an annual soil test will help you apply only what fertilizer and other nutrients you
actually need. Adopt this practice annually and you can be sure you are doing your part to
contribute to a cleaner watershed run-off which will help the bay.