For many residents of Bloomington and Normal, leaf raking efforts are now already underway. Per directions from both municipalities, leaves should not be raked into the street. In addition to being a possible safety issue, leaves can act as a storm water pollutant. Washed into the storm sewer system and eventually into creek, streams, and lakes, the additional nutrients from the massive amounts of leaves breaking down can remove oxygen from the water, suffocating plants and wildlife.
The Ecology Action Center urges residents to help keep our local waters clean – by either composting leaves or piling them neatly near the curb for collection. For information on composting, contact the Ecology Action Center at (309) 454-3169 or consult ecologyactioncenter.org.
Information on protecting our local watersheds is available at the mCLEAN water website, a clearinghouse of local resources about our water and efforts to better protect it.
The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.
