I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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Local Perennial Biomass
#51 Perennial Biomass
I will spend at least 1000 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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Forest-Friendly Foods 1
#5 Tropical Forests
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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Learn about Temperate Forests
#12 Temperate Forests
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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Choose Better Wood Products
#38 Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION
Participant Feed
Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?
REFLECTION
QUESTION
Land UseForest-Friendly Foods 1
How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
Forests play a vital role in the environment, without them global warming will rise, which will affect our world’s food production. A recorded 12-15 million hectares of forests is lost annually, with much of this being a factor of deforestation. Forest currently cover 30% of the earth which is too little.
A lack of trees results in our atmosphere having high levels of carbon dioxide, with little oxygen provided which impacts the growth of plants. Our trees play a vita role in the survival of humans. With an increasing population; a higher demand on food is needed which will result in lower food production that leave humans unfed.
In India, a scientist is experimenting with variations of rice attempting to make the rice heat and drought resistant. It is sad that such a large population depends on rice for their nutrients; there are some who care to end starvation.
As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?
Sadly, I find our environmental challenges very bad. First and foremost, is the pollution, global warming, and overpopulation are out of control. Natural resource depletion is another crucial environmental problem where fossil fuel consumption results in emission of Greenhouse gases, which is responsible for global warming and climate change. And another, deforestation meaning clearing of the green cover to make land available for residential, industrial or commercial purpose. On top of it, se are losing protected land to drilling which will most likely cause more sink holes. The impact on my thinking and actions began long ago. I do not liter, I recycle, I grow a lot of my own food, and I contact my representatives. I would feel hopeful if the world would come together with care for the earth instead of racing to have the most production.
This is very interesting information that I wish to share:
Tomorrow is the first day of National Park Week! It’s also a fee-free day, so all national park sites that normally charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
Special Programs: April 21: National Junior Ranger Day Junior Rangers can earn badges and certificates by learning about the park they’re in, taking part in activities, and engaging with park rangers. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 and 13, but people of all ages are welcome to participate.
April 22: Earth Day Ever since the very first one in 1970, Earth Day keeps getting bigger and bigger. Earth Day Network expects more than a billion people worldwide will take part this year. Nearly all our national parks have special activities and events planned.
April 29: National Park Rx Day Every year, the last Sunday of National Park Week is designated National Park Rx Day – a day that encourages the growing movement of prescribing visits to parks, public lands, and nature to improve and maintain human health.
I hope you’ve made plans. And if you haven’t – make them now! Whether you enjoy learning about history, exploring the myriad of cultures that make up our shared heritage, hiking, camping, or observing wildlife in its natural habitat, there are a slew of national park sites out there for you.
Here’s to getting out and making the most of National Park Week!
Forests offer much to a person inner peace and beauty. There are no cell phones or computer games to clog the mind. There are the sounds of woodpeckers pocking the trees to eat, bird scrawls/calls, scampering critters, and time to reflect on what is most important in life. It is natural and keeps one down-to-earth leaving behind thoughts of material items, profits, and/or being rich.
Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe states that "The reason we care about climate change is because it affects the people and places that we care about." What is happening (or will happen) in your area that will affect the people and places you care about?
There are so many efforts to protect Kent, Ohio's Wetland and Bobs. These are imperative to our fauna and fawn who continue up the cycle of life. In regards to climate change, wetlands are heavily affected with flooding.
Dr. Linda Spurlock, Anthropologist & Educator, has acres of land on which she has planted natural grasses and trees that soak up and thrive in the wetlands. You can hike her lands without soaked boots and air rich of oxygen. In collaboration with Portage County Park District, Spurlock and others have implemented the planting of native NE Ohio plants in the many parks through out the county. I feel the air quality in Kent, OH is very good compared to other areas of the state.
I have spent my 1000 hours visiting area wetlands, attending wetland lectures, joining wetland groups, and I never, never, never pollute.
I gave to the National Parks Foundation as they have the most impact in saving our Nations heritage. The Native Youth Conservation Project engages youth in a conservation corps model that helps preserve the Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, the cultural resources of Canyon de Chelly--including distinctive architecture, artifacts, and rock imagery--exhibit remarkable preservational integrity that provides outstanding opportunities for study and contemplation. Canyon de Chelly also sustains a living community of Navajo people, who are connected to a landscape of great historical and spiritual significance--a landscape composed of places infused with collective memory.
Canyon de Chelly is unique among National Park service units, as it is comprised entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land that remains home to the canyon community. NPS works in partnership with the Navajo Nation to manage park resources and sustain the living Navajo community.
The Native Youth Conservation Project engages Native American youth in a conservation corps model through which they will help preserve and protect the natural character of Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
I have been lucky to have worked with indigenous Americans such as the Navajo Nation, the Seminoles, and the Utes. Amazing when you are not materialistic and find joy in simple creations.
Land UseSupport Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
Indigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, "most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation." Why is balance important to sustainability?
When a society is balanced; it equates to peacefulness and working as a team. As for sustainability, there is little waste because communication is open and actions transparent. Each person accentuates the other; working together towards a common goal as opposed to overusing resources by competing. Balance is important to having a healthy life style and collaborating.
