Take the Water for People Pledge!
In June 2020, faced with a new drought in the PIE-Rivers region on track to surpass 2016, the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA), in partnership with the Parker River Clean Water Association, Greenscapes North Shore Coalition, True North Brewery, and other partners, launched a new campaign asking residents and towns to take action to conserve “Water for People, Not Grass.” The campaign brings together business leaders, farmers, elected officials, water department heads, fire chiefs and residents, asking them to pledge to let lawns go brown this summer.
On this page you can hear from people and businesses who are taking the pledge, learn what you can do to protect your community during drought, and sign up to take the pledge!
Background
Having reliable water in our communities is essential. As we continue to see record setting temperatures and dry spells year after year, reliable water is under threat. Drought inflicts long-lasting harm on our rivers’ ecosystems. Images of dry stream beds and fish kills from the 2016 drought are still vivid in the minds of many residents on the North Shore. Even outside of drought, our river systems are stressed.
In response, residents, business leaders, and elected officials in the PIE-Rivers Region are coming together to ask for everyone to take the Water for People Pledge. Check back soon for a special Public Service Announcement.
While our municipalities and state agencies need time to plan out policies that make our region more resilient, nothing is stopping each of us from taking action now and getting our neighborhoods on the path to Net Zero water use this summer.
Take the Water for People Pledge
The fastest way you can make a difference is to take the Water for People Pledge and stop watering your grass lawn this summer. Massachusetts households use up to 1,900 gallons a week watering lawns. In many communities water consumption nearly doubles during the summer. Sign the Pledge here, and then share to let people know you’re committing to the cause.
Create your own user feedback survey
UPDATE: Lawn Signs Coming Soon!
Are you a resident of the Parker, Ipswich, or Essex River Watersheds? (Hint: Here’s the map if unsure). If so, you can offer to host a lawn sign when you sign the pledge. Signs feature the slogan “Water for People, Not Grass: Save the _____!” with the Greenscapes logo, and are customized to include the name of your home river.
Once ordered, all signs will be available for pickup at Riverbend Headquarters in Ipswich (home of the Ipswich River Watershed Association), at 143 County Road, Ipswich, MA.
Do you live elsewhere in Massachusetts and want to take the pledge? Find your local watershed association by visiting Mass Rivers Alliance and let them know you’re interested in getting a sign for your lawn with your waterway on it. We are happy to provide partners with the designs so that everyone who wants to can take the pledge. You can also learn more about Greenscapes Coalition here.