Spring is here in Hood County and that means it’s time for our lawns, trees, and flowers to start growing and blooming!  Taking care of our yards provides some opportunities for clean air choices.  If you have gas-powered lawn equipment, be sure to avoid gas spills and maintain your equipment to reduce emissions that contribute to air pollution.  Avoid gas-powered lawn equipment use when the air quality is predicted to be poor.  Plan for these activities on better air quality days.  An even better choice for clean air is to consider electric lawn equipment or manual tools that produce no emissions! 

Plant choices for the yard offer another opportunity for clean air choices.  Consider native trees, shrubs, and plants that require less water, little or no fertilizer, are less susceptible to pests, and more tolerant of local conditions.  You can reduce weeds in flower beds by using mulch.  Mulch is also beneficial in reducing water use.  Reducing water use conserves energy and that helps save money and reduces emissions produced by power plants.  When you are enjoying the spring sunshine in the yard, remember that it provides another opportunity to make clean air choices that help keep our air clean!