Which is it, In like a Lion, out Like a...

March 2022

Message From

Executive Director,

Cathy Stepp

Ahhh, March...It can be so unpredictable with warm weather mixed with bitter cold, snow, and just about everything in between. As the old saying goes, "In like a lion, and out like a lamb", or "in like a lamb, and out like a lion." Mother nature will ultimately decide our fate, but where does the saying come from?

The old saying, or proverb dates to the 17th century. One of the earliest citations is in one Thomas Fuller’s 1732 compendium, Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs; Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings, Ancient and Modern, Foreign and British. Many authors and scholars suggest that the idea for the saying comes from the stars. At this time of year, Leo is the rising sign; by April, it’s Aries. (“Kid” just doesn’t have quite the same ring as “lamb,” though.) From the biblical perspective, is that Jesus arrives as the sacrificial lamb, but will return as the Lion of Judah.

More often, we hear the saying in weather folklore. Wikipedia calls it “an old Pennsylvania” saw. The old saw is a cliche in modern meteorological circles, but it’s not necessarily a reliable forecasting guide. The month of March usually starts with cold, unpleasant weather, but ends mild and pleasant. Weather sayings are as colorful as our imagination. Many of these sayings are based on careful observations and turn out to be accurate, while others are merely rhymes or beliefs.

Years ago people often believed that bad spirits could affect the weather adversely, so they were cautious as to what they did or did not do in certain situations. Those beliefs often included ideas that there should be a balance in weather and life. So, if a month came in bad (like a lion), it should go out good and calm (like a lamb).

Other March old weather sayings are:

A dry March and a wet May? Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.
As it rains in March so it rains in June.
March winds and April showers? Brings forth, May Flowers.

Maybe we should just take the saying for what it is, March can be as unpredictable as a big cat, yet gentle as a kitten at times. All in all, enjoy the warm spring days and remember when mother nature throws her worst at us, warmer and nicer days are coming, sometime in - May or June.

Fix A Leak Week Is Coming...

DID YOU KNOW?

The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day!

Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.

Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills! To check for leaks in your home, you first need to determine whether you're wasting water and then identify the source of the leak. Here are some tips for finding leaks:

Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.
Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

Need some more tips? Check out the link for tips HERE.

Is It Time to Ditch the Garbage Disposal?

Recently there was a post on social media from a homeowner who had removed their garbage disposal because they learned it was unwise to use with a septic system. Many septic professionals will tell homeowners to limit the use of the garbage disposal, while garbage disposal manufacturers claim their products are perfectly safe for use with septic.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between...

If your home has a septic system and you have a garbage disposal, it’s important that you Think at the Sink. The EPA encourages homeowners with septic to limit the use of garbage disposals, most importantly limiting the introduction of fats, greases, and oils into the system. If you use your garbage disposal for food waste regularly it is very important that you keep a regular septic pumping schedule – no more than every 3 years! Overfilled septic tanks can cause problems – including backup into your home

If you love your garbage disposal because it diverts food waste from the trash (and ultimately the landfill), then consider composting! There are tabletop composters you can utilize right in your kitchen – collect food scraps inside the composter (lined with a compostable bag), and when full you can take it outside to a designated composting area in your yard! For more information see the EPA’s article on Composting at Home.

If you suspect there is a problem with your septic system, contact a septic professional. To learn more about our Septic Remediation Program, please click our link. You can also contact the Program Manager directly, or complete the Jot Form, and we will contact you!

Time To ReThink How We Protect Water...

One of the simplest ways to help PROTECT our water is to take some time and do a self-assessment and evaluate your home and property for potential pollution risks.

H₂Ozarks has an easy-to-use assessment program that serves as a valuable reference for residents in the Ozarks. It is for those who care about our natural resources and the environment and who are willing to take steps – no matter how small – to improve how they manage their homes and properties.

This FREE assessment can also help you protect your investment by identifying pollution risks on your property before expensive problems occur.

The idea is to take the time to identify pollution threats to your local environment; then, where feasible, to take voluntary actions to reduce those risks and prevent problems helping all of us have Cleaner WATER...Together!

Start today...Property Management Guide.

Does It Matter To YOU?

Take Everyday Actions To Protect The Water In The Ozarks...

Use and Dispose of Harmful Materials Properly. Don't pour hazardous waste down the drain, on the ground, or into storm sewers. This could contaminate the soil, groundwater, or nearby surface water.

A number of products used at home contain hazardous or toxic substances that can contaminate ground or surface waters.

Motor oil
Pesticides
Leftover paints or paint cans
Mothballs
Flea collars
Household cleaners
A number of medicines

EPA's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program has more ADVICE on how to safely manage and reduce the use of these materials.

Let's KICK It..! Some "Rocks" That is...

You're perfect for this role and are exactly what we're looking for...Here's a chance for you to be a part of our team with StreamSmart. It's our volunteer water-quality monitoring program for the Beaver Lake Watershed in Northwest Arkansas. Our program equips and guides volunteers to collect water samples and site information quarterly and we have many locations that are in need of monitoring.

Get more details and information by contacting Erin Scott or by calling 479-841-0235. Get all the details about our StreamSmart Citizen Science Program HERE.

About StreamSmart: StreamSmart is a volunteer citizen-scientist program coordinated by H2Ozarks (formerly Ozarks Water Watch). This program began in 2012 and volunteers have collected over 4,000 chemistry results over this time. We currently monitor 14 sites throughout the Beaver Lake Watershed.

Save The Date - Great Event For Clean Water...

Save the DATE...Our friends at Watershed Committee of the Ozarks will have a great event via Zoom for clean water on Friday, March 4th. It will be an hour of networking for clean water and we are excited to hear from David Wise, Watershed Restoration Manager at Stroud Water Research Center, and his presentation "Some Insights on Reforestation Methods".

We will also hear an update from Randall Willoughby with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81139179915

Meeting ID: 811 3917 9915

What's Does Clean Water Mean To You?

Our Ozark's waters are amazing and beautiful as they flow from crisp, clear springs, abundant streams, and we are truly blessed with breathtaking lakes. We all should understand that water is everything! It is essential for drinking, nature, and wildlife populations. It provides us with outstanding recreational opportunities for our enjoyment and sustains our Ozark economy.

These are some of the reasons we all should protect water quality, safeguard our drinking water and preserve our lakes, streams, and rivers. By safeguarding our streams and lakes, we are preserving our community. The Ozarks depend on our "BLUE ECONOMY" - Clean Water that is swimmable, fishable, and drinkable!

Small drops can add up...Make a big splash with your contribution to the health and improvement of our Ozarks waters. A monthly gift of any size ensures that our work can continue. Make a difference today and help us have Cleaner Water Together!