Many people in our country and elsewhere, including me, are worried about environmental issues because our incoming administration our country is filled with climate change deniers and those who think science is something you can choose to believe in or not. But now is NOT the time to wring our hands and wait to see what happens. Here are 7 ways to take action to help our Mother Earth: Do it today!
This has been the focus of much of my writing for the past decade. In addition to my books shown in the left border here, I've written hundreds of articles; links to most of them are on my Green Resources Page.
In addition to your own actions to be greener in your landscaping and life style, here are some environmental groups that are making a difference in several ways. Each one I've listed has a different emphasis, so support the ones you feel most aligned with. Because of the political situation, this year, I've made extra donations to my usual environmental groups and have added a few more organizations to support. If we work together, we're stronger. Please join me in making an extra effort on behalf of our beautiful planet.
We should plant as many natives as possible for many reasons. Some important reasons are: to reduce the need for extra irrigation, to better support native wildlife, and to create landscapes that are authentic for our regions. When you join and become active in your native plant society, you'll be helping with their work to reach out to more people and to continue their research efforts on native plants and native ecosystems. Read my post "Why I love the Florida Native Plant Society" for more information.
50% of the royalties for "The Art of Maintaining a Florida Native Landscape" are paid directly to FNPS.
There are native plant societies in most states. When you join or renew your membership, please add an extra donation this year.
The Nature Conservancy is the largest and probably most well-known and well-rated environmental organization. I've been a member for more than 2 decades and 50% of the royalties for "Sustainable Gardening for Florida" are paid directly to TNC, Florida. This was my mother's favorite charity because, in her words, "They don't just argue; they actually buy and manage lands that need to be preserved."
Audubon Florida has many programs and actions that work to preserve bird-friendly habitat within our state.
If the birds are happy, so is Mother Nature.
They work to solve the most critical environmental problems facing the planet. They work in areas that span the biosphere: climate, oceans, ecosystems and health. Since these topics are intertwined, solutions take a multidisciplinary approach. EDF works in concert with other organizations — as well as with business, government and communities — and avoid duplicating work already being done effectively by others.
"The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCV, in collaboration with our state LCV partners, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-environment candidates who will champion our priority issues."
Charity Navigator rates charities for effectiveness and for how much of their donations actually goes to their charitable work. This link is a list of environmental charities.
2015: A greener 2016 and into the future
2014: 6 easy ways to save time and money
2013: 6 easy steps to support wildlife in 2014
I wish you and yours a happy, green, and prosperous 2017.
Green Gardening Matters,
Ginny Stibolt
There is NO Planet B!
We don't have time to spare, so now is the time to act.
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| Mother Earth is our ONLY Planet: Treat with care. | We must think of future generations and do better at preserving what is left of public lands and work at restoring spent lands. |
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| Yes, we can plant more natives on our own non-poisoned properties. A ragged gulf fritillary sips nectar from my tropical sage |
1) Start with your own landscape
Stop the lawn poisons and reduce your lawn acreage. Stop the wasteful cycle of seasonal decorative plants: replace them with native plant groupings that support birds and butterflies. Add shade to your landscape to reduce your electricity use. And so much more.This has been the focus of much of my writing for the past decade. In addition to my books shown in the left border here, I've written hundreds of articles; links to most of them are on my Green Resources Page.
In addition to your own actions to be greener in your landscaping and life style, here are some environmental groups that are making a difference in several ways. Each one I've listed has a different emphasis, so support the ones you feel most aligned with. Because of the political situation, this year, I've made extra donations to my usual environmental groups and have added a few more organizations to support. If we work together, we're stronger. Please join me in making an extra effort on behalf of our beautiful planet.
2) Join a local native plant society
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| In Florida we have the Florida Native Plant Society |
We should plant as many natives as possible for many reasons. Some important reasons are: to reduce the need for extra irrigation, to better support native wildlife, and to create landscapes that are authentic for our regions. When you join and become active in your native plant society, you'll be helping with their work to reach out to more people and to continue their research efforts on native plants and native ecosystems. Read my post "Why I love the Florida Native Plant Society" for more information.
50% of the royalties for "The Art of Maintaining a Florida Native Landscape" are paid directly to FNPS.
There are native plant societies in most states. When you join or renew your membership, please add an extra donation this year.
2) Become a member of The Nature Conservancy
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| The Nature Conservancy, Florida works hard to buy up and preserve open lands in Florida. |
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| Here is a link to their Annual report for 2016. |
3) Join or donate to The Audubon Society.
The Audubon Society is a huge international organization filled with people who care about birds. Each year, they hold an annual Christmas bird count that has documented the decline of many bird species over the decades. Read a piece I wrote "Can the birds count on you?"Audubon Florida has many programs and actions that work to preserve bird-friendly habitat within our state.
If the birds are happy, so is Mother Nature.
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| The National Parks Foundation. |
4) Donate to the National Park Foundation
Our National Parks are America's BEST idea! They began more than 100 years ago under President Teddy Roosevelt.
The National Park Foundation is the official charitable partner of the National Park Service. This partnership
enriches America’s national parks and programs through private support, safeguarding our heritage and inspiring generations of national park enthusiasts.
Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation is rooted in a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens from all walks of life took action to establish and protect our national parks. Today, the National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable nonprofit whose mission is to directly support the National Park Service.
The National Park Foundation is the official charitable partner of the National Park Service. This partnership
enriches America’s national parks and programs through private support, safeguarding our heritage and inspiring generations of national park enthusiasts.
Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation is rooted in a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens from all walks of life took action to establish and protect our national parks. Today, the National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable nonprofit whose mission is to directly support the National Park Service.
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| The Environmental Defense Fund works in many ways and on many levels. |
5) Donate to The Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Defense Fund’s mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. They work guided by science and economics to find practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems.They work to solve the most critical environmental problems facing the planet. They work in areas that span the biosphere: climate, oceans, ecosystems and health. Since these topics are intertwined, solutions take a multidisciplinary approach. EDF works in concert with other organizations — as well as with business, government and communities — and avoid duplicating work already being done effectively by others.
6) Join The League of Conservation Voters
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| League of Conservation Voters |
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7) Find other environmental groups
There are many more groups that you might like to support including 1000 Friends of Florida, Greenpeace, The Sierra Club, Earth Justice, and many more. Find groups that you feel comfortable backing and while money is an urgent need, volunteers are what really makes a group work effectively.Charity Navigator rates charities for effectiveness and for how much of their donations actually goes to their charitable work. This link is a list of environmental charities.
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| Think of your grandchildren. Be good to Mother Nature today. |
Past end-of-year posts:
2015: A greener 2016 and into the future
2014: 6 easy ways to save time and money
2013: 6 easy steps to support wildlife in 2014
I wish you and yours a happy, green, and prosperous 2017.
Green Gardening Matters,
Ginny Stibolt
The author
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