Whether you own a chihuahua or a Saint Bernard, you'll be doing our lakes, rivers and streams a great service by cleaning up after your dog.  Animal waste, when left lying about your yard or a trail, is not just a hazard for passing pedestrians!  Bacteria and excess nutrients are swept untreated into storm drains, swales or even water bodies like the lake your children swim in.

 Whenever you walk your dog, carry a plastic bag, such as the wrapper from your newspaper or a grocery bag, so you can stoop and scoop the poop.  Close the bag tightly and dispose of in a trash can.  Alternately, you can flush unbagged dog waste into your toilet.  Highland Township provides dog waste receptacles and baggies at our area parks for your use when you walk your dog there.

Another watershed-friendly tip is don't feed the geese and ducks.  Feel free to watch, but don't encourage them to hang about where they might become dependent on humans for their meals, create a nuisance and "foul" our waterways.

For more information and tips on keeping our waterways clean, please visit SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Government) at http://www.semcog.org/OurstoProtect.aspx .

Remember, its our water, our future, Ours to Protect.