There are many ways to think about how to keep our environment healthy in our communities and our yards. Water is often at the top of the list for most of us. Now there an easy way to find resources on protecting water quality with the new Blue Thumb program. It is a Planting for Clean Water program that offers resources, local business contacts and a calendar of events for residents interested in doing their part to protect water quality. Check out this web site to learn how to plan, purchase and plant native gardens, raingardens and shorelines. The Blue Thumb program reaches into the Twin Cities metro area and greater Minnesota. Start at bluethumb.org and then go on to read the following articles on other ways to protect our Minnesota environment with our yard care and gardening methods.