Ten reasons to protect watersheds
Inspiration Ridge Preserve is situated on the headwaters of the Fritz Creek watershed. When this land was threatened by development, Homer residents Edgar Bailey and Nina Faust were not only concerned for the health of wildlife, but they were also worried about water quality. Fritz Creek watershed provides water to Homer residents. When Ed and Nina purchased the land and blocked development plans on the headwaters of the watershed, and later donated this land to be stewarded and managed by The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, they were protecting the right to clean water for future generations.
The Center is proud to steward and protect the headwaters of Fritz Creek watershed on Inspiration Ridge Preserve. In celebration of our life-giving watershed, we curated a list of our top ten reasons why we care about watershed protection:
The headwaters of Fritz Creek on Inspiration Ridge Preserve are filtered and cleaned by the thick willows and vegetation that grows around this waterway. Photograph by Nina Faust.
#1
Clean water. A watershed is an area of land, or a drainage, that gathers rain and snowmelt. As water moves through a watershed via creeks, streams, and rivers, the water is naturally filtered and cleaned by healthy habitats along the way.
#2
Happy plants. An undeveloped watershed goes through natural cycles of flooding. These flooding events distribute nutrients across the landscape, fertilizing plants and rejuvenating ecosystems.
#3
Recharged groundwater. When water is allowed to move naturally across a landscape, some of it seeps into the earth and refills underground reservoirs. Groundwater reserves make ecosystems more drought-resistant and prevent desertification.
A pond on Inspiration Ridge Preserve provides freshwater wetland habitat to a wide array of plants and animals. Photograph by Nina Faust.
#4
Connected habitats. Many aquatic species rely on the ability to reach different types of habitat at different points in their life cycle. Some seek out rapids, others seek out calm ponds. Connected water systems ensure wildlife can move freely throughout their underwater habitat.
#5
Healthy wildlife. When we protect our watersheds, we protect our wildlife. Polluted watersheds can harm wildlife populations, including genetic anomalies and accumulation of toxic waste in the tissues of animals.
#6
Clean food. Polluted watersheds can contaminate fish and other food sources, including bioaccumulation of heavy metals in large fish. By keeping our watersheds clean, we keep our food clean.
Wood frogs rely on small bodies of water, often ephemeral (seasonal) ponds, to mate and produce the next generation. Photograph by Nina Faust.
#7
Happy swimming. Unchecked fertilization and runoff from farms can lead to harmful algal blooms. By protecting buffers along waterways, we can reduce the risk of algal blooms, and keep returning to our favorite swimming holes.
#8
Erosion control. Water follows the path of least resistance. Healthy ecosystems with robust vegetation help channel water and keep it focused within streams, creeks, and floodplains. Without healthy, intact ecosystems throughout a watershed, flooding would lead to extensive erosion.
A pond on the Preserve is illuminated by shafts of light. Photograph by Nina Faust.
#9
Clean oceans. Our oceans are fed by watersheds around the world. By protecting our watersheds, we keep our oceans clean.
#10
Happy minds. More and more studies are showing the power of natural systems to rejuvenate our minds. Spending time in the natural world contributes to good mental health. By protecting our watersheds, we’re ensuring we have rejuvenating landscapes.
A bench on the edge of a pond on Inspiration Ridge Preserve invites visitors to enjoy this wetland habitat. Photograph by Nina Faust.