FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- Lee County encourages residents to observe National Cleanup Month in September by preserving the natural beauty of Southwest Florida and continuing to do their part to maintain a clean environment and protect local waterways.

Stormwater runoff can have detrimental impacts on the environment and waterways. Keeping local waterways clean from debris and waste can start at home with severable actionable steps.

Pick up pet and yard waste:

• Bacteria and nutrients from pet waste can have damaging impacts on waterways when it is washed away. Always pick up your pet's waste in public spaces. If possible, remove pet waste from your lawn daily.
• Grass clippings, fallen fruit, dead plants and vegetative trimmings should be properly disposed of and not blown away onto impervious surfaces, like roads or sidewalks. Visit LeeGov.com/SolidWaste/Residential/YardWaste (https://www.leegov.com/solidwaste/residential/y...) for proper disposal guidelines.

Fertilize Smart:

• Abide by Lee County Ordinance 08-08. Residents of unincorporated Lee County are required to stop the use of fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus through Sept. 30 to prevent nutrient runoff, which can harm wildlife and contribute to harmful algal blooms.

Residents can continue to protect local waterways from October through May after the summer fertilizer ban ends by following Lee County's year-round Fertilize Smart guidelines:

• Sweep up spilled fertilizer – don't hose it away.
• Don't fertilize within 10 feet of waterways such as canals, creeks, ponds and rivers.
• Keep fertilizer away from impervious surfaces.
• Avoid fertilizing if rain is in the forecast.

Residents can enhance their waterway protection efforts by participating in a local cleanup during National Cleanup Month. Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc. will host its annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19, in partnership with Lee County. The cleanup will feature more than 10 locations across Lee County for participation. Visit KLCB.org/Events/Coastal-Cleanup (https://www.klcb.org/events/coastal-cleanup/) to register.

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To learn more about waterway protection and Ordinance 08-08, visit FertilizeSmart.com. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at  www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters and follow on social media: www.leegov.com/socialmedia.