Use established trails when you are walking around your watershed. By using trails you will help reduce the amount of wear on the natural habitat, you won't damage herbs, shrubs, and grasses, and hopefully you won't get lost. Trekking Through Get a landowner's permission if you will be crossing his or her property. Walk through your watershed quietly. Leave your dog at home.
Dogs can disturb or injure wildlife and, in turn, can be injured by other animals.
Take care not to disturb or alter wildlife habitat. A dead tree trunk or hole in the ground may be home to many kinds of wildlife. Make observations and document evidence of wildlife, plants, and other organisms, but don't remove eggs, nests, organisms, or whole plants. If you feel the need to sacrifice plant or macroinvertebrate specimens for better identification, please do so sparingly. Plants provide food and shelter for wildlife and macroinvertebrates.