Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt – Rock Creek (MD)
Step into the shoes of an environmental detective as we explore the hidden impacts of oversalting our streets and sidewalks during the winter season. Discover how excess salt harms delicate aquatic creatures, disrupts the fragile balance of our ecosystems, and pollutes our drinking water, and learn from the experts about what we can all do to be “winter salt smart.”
Join the Izaak Walton League of America on this fun and informative hike to learn about our addiction to deicing salt and how we can all live on a low winter salt diet. Together, we can make a significant difference and create a cleaner, healthier future.
Expect to walk a one mile loop on a dirt trail with a bit of rock scrambling. Please bring your own water bottle.
This event is FREE but please register on Eventbrite in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather. The rain date is Sunday, September 20.
Izaak Walton League will be providing a Salt Watch kit to anyone interested in getting involved.
Each participant will be required to complete the following form. Copies will be available at the beginning of the hike or you can bring your own printed, signed copy: https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf
This hike is produced by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) in collaboration with the Izaak Walton League of America. It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.
Your kit will include a bottle containing 25 nitrate test strips which you can use to test your water source(s) throughout the year. You’ll also receive postcards explaining how to use your nitrate test strips and how to share your Nitrate Watch results on the Clean Water Hub.
Your kit will include four test strips so you can test your waterway throughout the season. You’ll also receive a chart to help you interpret your results and a postcard with instructions for completing a Salt Watch test and reporting your findings.