Environmentalists came together Wednesday to kick off a campaign aimed at cleaning the Barnegat Bay.

Clean Ocean Action and Save Barnegat Bay are launching a campaign to get homeowners involved in lowering nitrogen levels in the bay. Environmentalists say nitrogen gets into the water via lawn fertilizer and puts sea life at risk.

The organizations are distributing booklets on how to get involved. Points are awarded for each step from the booklet a homeowner takes. After 20 points, the homeowner can mail away for a certificate officially naming them a Barnegat Bay Buddy.

Save Barnegat Bay's Michael Borgatti says the water quality is affecting wildlife and the area's economy.

"The clam and the hard clam populations have decreased substantially," says Michael Borgatti, of Save Barnegat Bay. "We used to have a population of baymen out there of 900, today there's only 9."

Some of the suggested practices are keeping mower blades sharp, using grass clippings as natural fertilizers and planting flowers native to the area.

Clean Ocean Action