MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Though the summer has left us and we're now raking leaves (or playing in them), yard work is still a tough job to handle in the fall season.

While you're taking care of your lawn, please be sure to pay attention to what fertilizers and pesticides you're using.

Meridian Township is apart of a very large watershed.

The Red Cedar River flows into the Grand River, which eventually leads out into Lake Michigan. If harmful pesticides and fertilizers are used on a lawn, they could potentially drain off into a storm water drain, which could have harmful effects on our local and statewide ecosystem at large.

Just like in a garden, fertilizers accelerate the growth of vegetation. Extra fertilizer in rivers and lakes could mean more algae, which uses up the oxygen in the water that fish and other wildlife need. This could also have a negative impact on recreational activities as well.

Please be mindful when using pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn and be aware of the big picture.