The Friends of Covehead and Brackley Bay Watershed Management Group is a non-profit organization made up of residents who are concerned about the quality of the environment, particularly our water in the Covehead-Brackley area. Since 1999 we have been working in the area each summer to improve the quality of our streams and rivers. This work has included: Tree planting, clearing blockages in and along streams, installing brushmats to collect silt and correct the flow of streams, water testing in several streams. This work has been a good start in restoring the waterways in this area however, in order to move forward a full watershed management plan is required. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? The Friends of Covehead-Brackley Bay are always looking for input and support from all of our residents. Without support from the watershed communities a management plan will go nowhere. Some things that you can do to help the watershed are: Get involved with the Friends of Covehead-Brackley Bay’s Highway Clean-Up or Watershed Restoration Volunteer Days. You can also help by keeping an eye on recently restored areas of the watershed to ensure that the work we are doing remains intact and comment on the Watershed Management Plan. On this site you will find a framework for the management plan that is currently being developed. In order to ensure that it is truly a community-driven plan, your comments, suggestions, and additions are welcome. Contact us anytime through the year as we continue to develop the plan. Reduce water usage in your household. Don’t leave water running for long periods, fix any leaky faucets, and limit flushing of your toilet when possible. Maintain a clean and well-kept septic system. Remember to get it checked regularly by professionals! Reduce use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Chemicals leach into the ground and are a leading source of nitrate contamination in our groundwater. Plant trees! Yes trees will help our water. By having more trees, especially in riparian zones (land near water) you can help reduce the amount of silt entering a waterway and keep water temperatures down, which is good for fish. Riparian zones are also extremely important areas for many other wildlife as they are good sources of food, shelter, water, and travel corridors. Contact Friends of Covehead-Brackley Bay if you have any questions at all about watershed planning and restoration. We would love to hear from you!