Five Ways to Honor Earth Month
The Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District is dedicated to the mission of advancing best management practices for conserving land and water resources through education, technical assistance and stewardship.
As we follow our mission, it is important for residents of the Valley to do their part in protecting and respecting their resources as well; and what better time to step up than throughout the month of April, or Earth Month.
If deciding where to start is the issue — we’ve got you covered. Here are five great ways to honor Earth Month with relative ease and create a more sustainable local environment.
Consider food options
Eating more home cooked meals is one way to reduce waste associated with ordering carryout. Try to use ingredients that can be stretched for a few days (vegetables like onions, carrots and sweet potatoes can last a month or longer.) It is also environmentally friendly to order groceries in bulk, reducing packaging, which in turn reduces our carbon footprint.
Conserve water
Some of the simplest ways to watch water usage at home include turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, using a washing machine or dishwasher only when there is a full load and taking shorter showers.
Consider refraining from completing these or other water usage tasks around the house when there is heavy rain — sewage systems can sometimes overflow when there is constant rainfall and waiting for weather to subside before continuing can make a lot of difference.
Add houseplants to home or workspace
Having healthy air quality indoors is just as important as having it outdoors. Introducing different houseplants can increase humidity and oxygen concentration, creating a more comfortable living space and can even lead to better brain function!
Plant native species
April is also Ohio’s Native Pant Month. The wide variety of native plants that belong in the state help create a diverseness within our ecosystem and attract pollinator species such as birds, bees and butterflies.
Anyone is capable of growing native plants. The Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves and Ohio Department of Natural Resources are great resources to determine what is native. Both organizations are currently using their social media to highlight native trees, shrubs and flowers that can be planted at home.
Litter control
Litter is a potential hazard to plants, animals and even people in any given community. Start small and pick up any litter around your residence. If there is a larger scale issue, do some picking up around your community. Any actions taken to become debris free can lead to a healthier, safer and more prideful community.