Rain Gardens - Protect the Great Bay Estuary

1. “Your voice for New Hampshire’s coast”
NH Coastal Protection Partnership
The New Hampshire Coastal Protection Partnership
is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization
working to reduce water pollution in the Great Bay
Estuary. Through public outreach and on the ground
conservation projects, NH Coast provides seacoast
residents with the resources they need to take action
to mitigate water pollution in their own backyards and
communities.
You can help. Become a Business Member of NH
Coast and help us save Great Bay!
The Great Bay Estuary
o With 144 miles of tidal coastline, the Great Bay
Estuary is New Hampshire’s “hidden coast”
o The estuary serves as habitat for more than
162 bird, plant, and fish species
o 23 of these species were listed as endangered
or threatened as of 2003
o The bald eagle, peregrine falcon, Great Blue
Heron, Atlantic salmon, oyster, soft shell clam
and lobster are just a few of the species that
call Great Bay home
o Great Bay is one of the largest estuaries in the
Atlantic Ocean
o The estuary is home to the Great Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve
A Great Blue Heron eyes
the estuary’s shallow
waters in search of fish!
NH Coastal Protection Partnership
162 Thornton St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 617-0679 Email: info@nhcoast.org www.nhcoast.org

2. The Great Bay Estuary: An eco-system in decline
o NHDES has listed the Bellamy River, Cocheco
River, Lamprey River, Salmon Falls River,
Oyster River, Piscataqua River & Great Bay as
impaired or threatened by water pollution
o Adult oyster populations in Great Bay declined
by 92 percent between 1997 and 2009
o Eelgrass biomass in the estuary declined by 64
percent between 1990 and 2008
o Run-off pollution from lawn fertilizers, leaky
septic tanks, and animal waste contributed to a
42 percent increase in the total nitrogen load to
Great Bay between 1990 and 2008
o Nitrogen pollution can trigger massive algal
blooms that consume oxygen and block out
sunlight aquatic life needs to survive, leading to
a loss of habitat. This deadly process is called
eutrophication Before and after photos of
o Experts believe urgent action is needed to a lake impacted by an
prevent eutrophication in Great Bay algal bloom
Solution #1: NH Coast’s Community Rain Garden Program
o Stormwater run-off is a leading source of
water pollution in Great Bay
o Rain gardens absorb run-off, filtering out
pollutants & recharging groundwater
o NH Coast is building demonstration rain
gardens in New Castle & Portsmouth in 2010
o The rain gardens will be planted with native
species
o Informational signs and literature will
accompany each rain garden
o NH Coast provides seacoast property owners
with tips on how to plant a rain garden through
our website, workshops, and presentations
A rain garden in bloom
NH Coastal Protection Partnership
162 Thornton St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 617-0679 Email: info@nhcoast.org www.nhcoast.org

3. Solution #2: NH Coast’s Rain Barrel Program
o Rain barrels capture stormwater before it can
run-off, helping to reduce run-off pollution
o Rain barrels also conserve water and help
people save money on water bills
o NH Coast volunteers build eco-friendly rain
barrels out of recycled food grade plastic
drums
o Our Rain Barrel Raffles are popular
attractions at community events like the
Rain barrels conserve
Portsmouth Sustainability Fair
water and help to reduce
o Upcoming events include “How to build a rain
run-off pollution
barrel” workshops
o NH Coast will also be publishing print and
online versions of a new “How to build a rain
barrel” guide
Solution #3: NH Coast’s Nitrogen Reduction Campaign
o Nitrogen run-off pollution from household
sources like leaky septic systems, lawn
fertilizers, and pet waste is contributing to the
overall decline of the Great Bay Estuary
o NH Coast’s Nitrogen Reduction Campaign
empowers citizens to take action to reduce
nitrogen pollution right in their own backyards
o Through workshops, direct mailings,
publications and our website, NH Coast
Leaving grass clippings
teaches seacoast residents how to make
behind is an eco-friendly
estuary friendly decisions about lawn
and free way to fertilize
fertilization
your lawn
o NH Coast’s staff researches locally available
lawn fertilizers and promotes estuary friendly
brands
NH Coastal Protection Partnership
162 Thornton St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: (603) 617-0679 Email: info@nhcoast.org www.nhcoast.org