Pick Up After My Pooch
Pet waste contains hazardous bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are unhealthy for humans and marine life alike—and we won’t even talk about the ick factor. So when nature calls for your pooch, put their waste in the garbage bin.
Poop In the Yard
Here’s something of note: while your lawn may seem like a slightly better place to leave your pooch’s poo, it really isn’t. Lawns typically have compact soil because of the high amount of traffic that takes place on them. This means they act as a semi-pervious surface, where much of the waste will likely wash off. Besides, pet waste is high in nitrates, so concentrations of it can burn your grass.
Sidewalk No-Nos
Paved surfaces such as sidewalks are another no-no for leaving the unmentionables, since poop can easily wash into a nearby storm drain, and likely be left untreated before it reaches the ocean. (Not to mention the stink eye you’re going to get from neighbors.)
Dog Parks and The Beach
We’re a big fan of dog parks, where your pooch can run free, and you can still keep track of where they’ve done the deed. (There are, however, dog parks in Wailea and Kahului.) At the beach, dogs must wear a leash, which we like for the same reason: you can keep an eye out on your best friend’s duties. Just remember to throw baggies in your bag or car before a trip out.
Tips for Pick-Up (as if you needed them)
You know the drill: Grab a bag, put your hand in it, scoop up the poop, turn it inside out, tie a knot, then dispose of it in the trash, and shoots, a healthier ocean! If picking it up is not an option for whatever reason, then bury that poo. To safely quarantine the bacteria, you should bury waste in a hole at least 12 inches deep.
Help us test out our dog poop citizen science activity!
If you REALLY want to take it to the next level, we are piloting a dog poop citizen science activity. Yes, you can carry around a clipboard with a datasheet when you walk your dog, while counting and recording piles of unscooped poop. Sounds fun right?! Why are we trying this out? It could reveal “hot spots” for unscooped dog poop, and the areas that are near storm drains and waterways are of the most concern. Our datasheet allows you to record things like this, plus note whether you saw any bag dispensers or trash cans in the area you covered during your walk. Maybe we can take action in these areas, in one form or another. Having data first always helps with the action part. Plus, we think this could be the basis of a solid STEM and environmental education activity. For instance, you could do some math with the data, not to mention turning it into a civics project. Teachers and environmental educators, we’d love to hear your ideas and feedback on this concept. Eventually we could write it up and link the activity to standards. So for now, please download the datasheet and help us test this out. Maui residents, please email photos of your completed datasheet(s) to [email protected] and we’ll see where this goes!
Poop In the Yard
Here’s something of note: while your lawn may seem like a slightly better place to leave your pooch’s poo, it really isn’t. Lawns typically have compact soil because of the high amount of traffic that takes place on them. This means they act as a semi-pervious surface, where much of the waste will likely wash off. Besides, pet waste is high in nitrates, so concentrations of it can burn your grass.
Sidewalk No-Nos
Paved surfaces such as sidewalks are another no-no for leaving the unmentionables, since poop can easily wash into a nearby storm drain, and likely be left untreated before it reaches the ocean. (Not to mention the stink eye you’re going to get from neighbors.)
Dog Parks and The Beach
We’re a big fan of dog parks, where your pooch can run free, and you can still keep track of where they’ve done the deed. (There are, however, dog parks in Wailea and Kahului.) At the beach, dogs must wear a leash, which we like for the same reason: you can keep an eye out on your best friend’s duties. Just remember to throw baggies in your bag or car before a trip out.
Tips for Pick-Up (as if you needed them)
You know the drill: Grab a bag, put your hand in it, scoop up the poop, turn it inside out, tie a knot, then dispose of it in the trash, and shoots, a healthier ocean! If picking it up is not an option for whatever reason, then bury that poo. To safely quarantine the bacteria, you should bury waste in a hole at least 12 inches deep.
Help us test out our dog poop citizen science activity!
If you REALLY want to take it to the next level, we are piloting a dog poop citizen science activity. Yes, you can carry around a clipboard with a datasheet when you walk your dog, while counting and recording piles of unscooped poop. Sounds fun right?! Why are we trying this out? It could reveal “hot spots” for unscooped dog poop, and the areas that are near storm drains and waterways are of the most concern. Our datasheet allows you to record things like this, plus note whether you saw any bag dispensers or trash cans in the area you covered during your walk. Maybe we can take action in these areas, in one form or another. Having data first always helps with the action part. Plus, we think this could be the basis of a solid STEM and environmental education activity. For instance, you could do some math with the data, not to mention turning it into a civics project. Teachers and environmental educators, we’d love to hear your ideas and feedback on this concept. Eventually we could write it up and link the activity to standards. So for now, please download the datasheet and help us test this out. Maui residents, please email photos of your completed datasheet(s) to [email protected] and we’ll see where this goes!