Chemical fertilizers are put on lawns to keep grass nice. But, when it rains, the fertilizers runoff into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Once there, the chemicals from the fertilizers harm the animals living there, such as fish, tadpoles, and salamanders, as well as any animals that drink from the body of water, like birds, rodents, and deer. Nitrates and phosphates specifically affect the water. Though nitrates and phosphates are produced naturally, the additional input from runoff can essentially kill fish. High levels of nitrates and phosphates can increase algae growth drastically, creating unstable amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water. Fish also need sand for reproduction, so increasing the increase in algae will not allow fish to reproduce, if they haven't already died from oxygen levels and stress.

  As an experiment, I've been testing how tadpoles survive in varying amounts of fertilizer (specifically, Scotts Basic Care Fertilizer).  Currently, all the tadpoles living with fertilizer have died. This is horrible, and is even worse to think of it happening on a larger scale.

Obviously, the killing of innocent wildlife needs to stop. By signing this petition, you are agreeing that Scotts and all fertilizer companies should decrease the amount of phosphates, nitrates, and all other harmful chemicals in their products and agree that chemical fertilizers should be banned from lawn use. Please sign this petition to show that you are standing up for the defenseless wildlife that is constantly being abused by chemical fertilizers in the water they live in.