National Public Lands Day: How are You Making a Difference?

Tomorrow, Sept 26th is National Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, and planted over 1.6 million trees.

The most common question asked in our eco friendly training is, "How can I make a difference?" There are plenty of ways to expand eco awareness and make a difference. Sometimes, it's an event or holiday that is needed as a fun way to "kick start" a personal sustainability program, a recycling program, or spark the green enthusiasm in others.

As a green living consultant, I suggest using National Public Lands Day to do just that.
This annual event:

Educates Americans about critical environmental and natural resources issues and the need for shared stewardship of these valued, irreplaceable lands;
Builds partnerships between the public sector and the local community based upon mutual interests in the enhancement and restoration of America's public lands;
Improves public lands for outdoor recreation, with volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work.

Other ways you can make a difference is by integrating sustainability concepts into your life.

Go paperless for a day.
Green your cubicle at work.
Learn about water conservation.
Reduce your energy consumption.
Trade your car for your bike for a day.

Use the National Public Lands Day to get involved - take eco action. To find a site and volunteer, go here. If getting outside isn't your thing, then consider making a difference by reducing your impact in other ways. Small actions add up and every one can make a difference.