One quarter of Maine's population lives in
the Casco Bay
watershed. As watershed residents, we are each intimately
connected to the environment around us in both visible and invisible
ways. A dramatic oil spill clearly sends the message that we are
damaging our resources. When we leave pet wastes on sidewalks and
beaches or pour waste oil down a storm drain, it is less obvious that
these pollutants will flow eventually to streams and the bay.
Damage to the environment from human activities is evident in the
closure of shellfish beds and beaches, the presence of toxic chemicals
in the sediments and animals of the bay, in the decline in oxygen
levels in parts of the bay and in the failure of some of our rivers and
streams to meet water quality standards.
Why is stewardship of Casco Bay and its
watershed important?
If all members of the Casco Bay community
act as esponsible stewards, we can preserve and protect the resources
of the watershed and the bay for future generations. We can
accomplish this by changing individual behaviors that are detrimental
to the bay and by raising awareness of the importance of protecting the
bay and its weatershed. Responsible stewardship depends on
residents cultivating an awareness of Casco Bay the permeates their
everyday actions--making purchases, running errantds, casting ballots,
serving on town boards, tending gardens and lawns, maintaining cars,
and building houses. Only by recoming stewards of Casco Bay,
caring for it consistently and managing its resources responsibly, can
we preserve it for generations to come.
What are some of the stewardship
activities taking place in Casco Bay?
All over the
watershed, volunteer groups are collecting water quality
samples, sponsoring clean-up days, protecting sensitive habitats
through voluntary land conservation, advocating for environmental
protection, helping to prevent erosion and sedimentation, and educating
the public about sound stewardship. Local businesses and industry
are promoting stewardship through, for example, reduced reliance on
hazardous chemicals and responsible practices in site development and
farming. The stewardship efforts of municipal officials include
eliminating combined sewer overflows, reducing stormwater pollution,
managing shellfishing areas, promoting waste recycling and protecting
open space.
Click here
or on the Current Projects button to the right for
examples of the stewardship activities that CBEP and our partner
organizations are supporting.