Environmental Practices for Homeowners

A homeowners guide, with recommendations and guidelines, is a useful tool in educating homeowners on the myriad environmental issues associated with owning a home and land, as well as informing them of best management practices to reduce negative environmental impacts.

A homeowners guide can be narrowly focussed, such as one that highlights simple landscape maintenance practices that minimize the use of pesticides and water, or it can be broader in scope, such as Cooperative Extension's Home*A*Syst Program. Home*A*Syst is a self-assessment program that helps home and property owners evaluate potential pollution and health risks associated with their land or their practices on the land. Another example of a homeowners guide is the Internet tool, H2ouse, developed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council (www.h2ouse.org/). It provides an easily accessible place for homeowners to find out about water efficient equipment and practices for the home.