Help Make Grayrock
- Avoid using harsh chemical pesticides and herbicides that can cause air and groundwater pollution and even harm to humans (especially airborne sprays). Alternative treatments are available.
- Don't over fertilize, and make sure you apply fertilizers at the right time. Too much fertilizer, and putting it down at the wrong time, can lead to poor absorption and runoff. Excess chemicals can impact the algae in the ponds and cause damage to ecosystems downstream.
- Invest in battery operated lawn equipment. Newer electric mowers, trimmers, and blowers are very capable of handling the lot sizes within our community. Not only do they run cleaner, but quieter as well.
- Lights Out! Excess lighting reduces our ability to see the night sky, and often is a nuisance to our neighbors. We hear a number of complaints about too many lights at night that affect other homes.
- Make sure your lights are not pointing at other homes, and have deflectors to make sure the light is only directed where it should be.
- Avoid white and blue tones, warm white or amber lights are better for wildlife.
- Use lower wattage bulbs, preferably energy efficient LEDs, and don't install more than you need.
- Go solar. Solar panels provide clean, efficient electricity and can help reduce or eliminate your monthly electric bills. Tax credits are still available for energy efficient improvements to your home.
- Check out the County's Environmental Stewardship Hub (albemarle.org/stewardship) for other ways residents can make a difference right now at home, on your land, and in your community. There are numerous actions, large and small, that will benefit biodiversity, climate action, water quality, and waste reduction. There is even a list of financial and technical resources to help folks get started.