Now is the time to share with children the importance of caring for our environment. If we want quality environmental conditions to exist for our children’s children, now is the time to educate the upcoming generation in order to make this happen. The following are tips that can lead to discussions:

Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Recycle plastic and paper grocery bags.

Turn off unused lights.

Take your lunch in reusable containers to school and work.

Shower in less than 5 minutes to conserve water.

Write an essay about the importance of caring for the environment.

Make your own glass cleaner by mixing 1/8 cup vinegar and 1 cup water.

Start some seeds indoors for a garden.

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

Think of five ways you can produce less trash.

Donate used magazines to a nursing home or hospital waiting room.

Decorate and use empty cans to hold nails, pencils, paper clips, etc.

Find out if your county has a land fill. Where is it, how does it operate, and how long will it be in operation?

Go to a yard sale. Buy what someone else no longer needs.

Learn about how electricity is generated in your area.

Plant flower seeds and bulbs around your house.

Plant a tree in your yard or where one is needed.

Contact the National Arbor Day Foundation at (402) 474-5655, Earth Day USA at (603) 924-7720 or Earth Day Network at (619) 272-0347 for additional information.

Source: Diane Cantrell, Extension Specialist, Environmental Education; Tina Milenovic, Extension Associate, 4-H Youth Development; and Kyle Sharp, Associate Editor, Section of Communications and Technology; with Ohio State University Extension, Natural Resources, Columbus, Ohio.