From New Member, Lisa Grant:
Happy Earth Day Onslow County!
The celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd began in the United States in 1970 and began with Senator Gaylord Nelson, who had long pondered about finding a way to “put the environment into the political ‘limelight’ once and for all”. Earth Day is now celebrated in most countries of the world. Earth Day is a perfect time to reflect about what you are doing to help protect the environment. There are many ways that you can celebrate alone and with others.
Tips on how to Celebrate:
1. Practice the 3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: check out the Onslow County Recycle Guide at our website www.onslowcountync.gov/landfill . Buy with less packaging, email instead of writing on paper, read don’t print, double-side your paper, take unwanted clothes and products to a thrift store, shop at a thrift or reuse store, reduce consumption, use reusable bottles and bags, recycle your bottles, cans, paper, etc. and don’t forget to recycle your plastic bags at your local grocery store or Wal Mart. Save landfill space – No one wants a landfill in their backyard!!! www.re3.org
2. Compost your Food Scraps – Learn how at http://www.onslowcountync.gov/Landfill/backyard.aspx
3. Reduce Stormwater Pollution – Create a Rain Garden, Pickup after your pet, use Sediment Fences when needed, plant buffers for filtration, Fix Septic Tanks, Use Organic fertilizers, Use permeable pavement, and rain barrels.
4. Plant Something Native! – Plant something Native! Use compost or other organic fertilizer, and plant some trees, flowers, or herbs that are native to our area. Planting trees helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, clean pollution, prevent erosion, and provide homes for a lot of biodiversity.
5. Learn more about the Environment and then Teach others– Knowledge is power and knowledge plus action can change the world! Check out the Swansboro Enviro Fair this Saturday to learn all sorts of ways to protect the environment!
6. Pick up Litter! – Take a trip to the beach or go for a canoe paddle and pick up some waterway litter. It is good for your health and the environment!
7. Volunteer – Sign up to volunteer for a cleanup, tree planting, recycling project, or event. Keep Onslow Beautiful is coordinating our next Beach Cleanup (International Coastal Cleanup/NC Big Sweep Spring Sweep) for May 10th at 10am and we will meet at the North Topsail Beach Town Park. For more info about this and our other cleanups please contact Lisa_Grant@onslowcountync.gov – We offer SAT credits to High School volunteers!
8. Carpool or ride a bike! – Live close to work or school? Ride a bike or take a sk8board. It is also good for your health and the environment. Carpooling is Cool! Check out http://www.sharetheridenc.org/ to find someone to carpool with or send an email to me Lisa_Grant@onslowcountync.gov and I will try to match you with another County Carpooler.
9. Earth Day is Everyday! - Anything to help our environment is a perfect thing to do on Earth Day and every day. Learn about how you can make a difference to environmental protection all the time and practice what you learn everyday.
· How to Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
· How to Choose the Most Important Organic Foods
· How to Live a More Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle
· How to Shop Well for Clothes in a Thrift Store
· How to Take Action to Reduce Global Warming
· How to Create Urban Rainforests
Have a Great Earth Day,
Lisa Grant, Keep Onslow Beautiful Administrator
