((( 21 Ways to Help Save Wildlife and Natural Habitats )))
Photo - Standing Groundhog
>>>> There are different ways to help save species of wildlife, plant life and the habitats they live in. No matter who you are or what your age is, you can always take part in something that will help protect the animals and natural habitats of the world. Below are several things you can do to help, along with links to various wildlife and environmental organizations that you can join. <<<<
1. Join and donate to groups that protect the wildlife and environment. Here are several organizations with links to their site.
National Wildlife Federation - http://www.nwf.org/
National Parks Conservation Association - http://www.npca.org/
Sierra Club - http://www.sierraclub.org/
The Nature Conservancy - http://www.nature.org/
World Wildlife Fund - http://www.worldwildlife.org/
International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) - http://www.iucn.org/
Audubon Society - http://www.audubon.org/
Ocean Conservancy - http://www.oceanconservancy.org/
The Wilderness Society - http://wilderness.org/
Defenders of Wildlife - http://www.defenders.org/
Natural Resources Defense Council - http://www.nrdc.org/
Center for Biological Diversity - http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/
Ocean Futures Society - http://oceanfutures.org/
Bat Conservation International - http://batcon.org/
Save the Rainforest - http://www.savetherainforest.org/
Endangered Species Coalition - http://www.endangered.org/
Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.org/.
Oxbow, Inc - In Indiana - http://oxbowinc.org/
National Caves Association- http://cavern.com/
Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation - http://orangutan.or.id/
EarthJustice -http://earthjustice.org/
World Animal Foundation - http://www.worldanimalfoundation.net/wildlife.html Wildlife Conservation Society - http://www.wcs.org/
Save the Frogs - http://www.savethefrogs.com/
In Defense of Animals - http://www.idausa.org/
Fauna and Flora International - http://www.fauna-flora.org/
IFAW - http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_united_states/ 2. Help protect wildlife in your area. If you find abandoned or injured wildlife then call your local wildlife rehab center and ask what you should do. If you can't help and the animal needs assistance then carefully take it to the local wildlife rehab center or to a wildlife volunteer. Some baby animals that people find are not actually abandoned. Much of the time just leaving them alone or moving them back into a nearby nest is all that is needed. Also, if you come across animals in the road then try to safely scare them away or move the animal if it is a baby or something that won't injure you, such as a Box Turtle. This also helps to prevent car accidents.
3. Help save natural areas close to home.
You can help protect natural areas in your region by community voting and petitioning against building where forests, wetlands and other habitats still remain. Also, you can ask county park districts and the state to buy the undeveloped land so that builders don't develop on it. Trying to get individual owners of land property to sell to the parks or donate the area as a preserve is another way to help protect a natural area.Sometimes, several people in a community will put their funds together, along with money donated, in order to buy land areas for conservation or at least to create a local park.
4. Create habitats on your land and help wildlife.
You can create back yard habitats and more depending on how much land you own. Planting flower gardens, bushes, trees and creating a water garden with plants around it are some of the things you can do to help wildlife in your area. This gives wildlife places to hide and sometimes nest. Bird baths, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, salt licks and rock gardens help as well. Flowering plants help feed bees, butterflies and humming birds. A water source, such as a pond or water garden, will help small animals survive in the area. Plants also produce oxygen and trees create shade. Fruit trees will provide you with extra food and some wildlife will eat what you leave behind on the tree or ground. All of these changes also increase your property value and makes things nice to look at.
5. Volunteer
You can help wildlife and the habitats by volunteering some of your free time to parks, zoos, preserves and environmental organizations that need your assistance. There are various programs where people are needed to help with animals, re-planting, clean-up of areas and rehabbing land. Most park districts, zoos and wildlife groups have these programs available to the public. Some preserves and wildlife areas do as well. It is best to contact your local park district, zoo or the DNR for your state in order to find out. If you are a member of a wildlife or environmental organization then you can ask them as well. Large clean-up efforts, like the BP oil spill, need a lot of people to help save wildlife, clean up beaches or marshes and transport animals after they have been cleaned. During some environmental disasters, people can just show up to volunteer their help.
1. Join and donate to groups that protect the wildlife and environment. Here are several organizations with links to their site.
National Wildlife Federation - http://www.nwf.org/
National Parks Conservation Association - http://www.npca.org/
Sierra Club - http://www.sierraclub.org/
The Nature Conservancy - http://www.nature.org/
World Wildlife Fund - http://www.worldwildlife.org/
International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) - http://www.iucn.org/
Audubon Society - http://www.audubon.org/
Ocean Conservancy - http://www.oceanconservancy.org/
The Wilderness Society - http://wilderness.org/
Defenders of Wildlife - http://www.defenders.org/
Natural Resources Defense Council - http://www.nrdc.org/
Center for Biological Diversity - http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/
Ocean Futures Society - http://oceanfutures.org/
Bat Conservation International - http://batcon.org/
Save the Rainforest - http://www.savetherainforest.org/
Endangered Species Coalition - http://www.endangered.org/
Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.org/.
Oxbow, Inc - In Indiana - http://oxbowinc.org/
National Caves Association- http://cavern.com/
Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation - http://orangutan.or.id/
EarthJustice -http://earthjustice.org/
World Animal Foundation - http://www.worldanimalfoundation.net/wildlife.html Wildlife Conservation Society - http://www.wcs.org/
Save the Frogs - http://www.savethefrogs.com/
In Defense of Animals - http://www.idausa.org/
Fauna and Flora International - http://www.fauna-flora.org/
IFAW - http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_united_states/ 2. Help protect wildlife in your area. If you find abandoned or injured wildlife then call your local wildlife rehab center and ask what you should do. If you can't help and the animal needs assistance then carefully take it to the local wildlife rehab center or to a wildlife volunteer. Some baby animals that people find are not actually abandoned. Much of the time just leaving them alone or moving them back into a nearby nest is all that is needed. Also, if you come across animals in the road then try to safely scare them away or move the animal if it is a baby or something that won't injure you, such as a Box Turtle. This also helps to prevent car accidents.
3. Help save natural areas close to home.
You can help protect natural areas in your region by community voting and petitioning against building where forests, wetlands and other habitats still remain. Also, you can ask county park districts and the state to buy the undeveloped land so that builders don't develop on it. Trying to get individual owners of land property to sell to the parks or donate the area as a preserve is another way to help protect a natural area.Sometimes, several people in a community will put their funds together, along with money donated, in order to buy land areas for conservation or at least to create a local park.
4. Create habitats on your land and help wildlife.
You can create back yard habitats and more depending on how much land you own. Planting flower gardens, bushes, trees and creating a water garden with plants around it are some of the things you can do to help wildlife in your area. This gives wildlife places to hide and sometimes nest. Bird baths, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, salt licks and rock gardens help as well. Flowering plants help feed bees, butterflies and humming birds. A water source, such as a pond or water garden, will help small animals survive in the area. Plants also produce oxygen and trees create shade. Fruit trees will provide you with extra food and some wildlife will eat what you leave behind on the tree or ground. All of these changes also increase your property value and makes things nice to look at.
5. Volunteer
You can help wildlife and the habitats by volunteering some of your free time to parks, zoos, preserves and environmental organizations that need your assistance. There are various programs where people are needed to help with animals, re-planting, clean-up of areas and rehabbing land. Most park districts, zoos and wildlife groups have these programs available to the public. Some preserves and wildlife areas do as well. It is best to contact your local park district, zoo or the DNR for your state in order to find out. If you are a member of a wildlife or environmental organization then you can ask them as well. Large clean-up efforts, like the BP oil spill, need a lot of people to help save wildlife, clean up beaches or marshes and transport animals after they have been cleaned. During some environmental disasters, people can just show up to volunteer their help.
Photo - Shaker Trace Wetlands ! Six Through Ten !
6. Teach your children about nature.
Educate your children on the environment and wildlife. Just taking them on a camping trip or hiking in a park can be beneficial. This creates interest and promotes learning about the environment. They also tell friends about what they saw. Make sure you give them the facts about the wildlife they see and not bad information based on rumors or fear. There are many programs for children in parks, zoos and nature centers. Meetings for these events are posted on websites and in newsletters put out by parks and zoos. Some places, such as the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm here in Ohio, has both indoor and outdoor environmental education classes for children. There are even live animals in the visitor center. Museums will also have events you can sign your children up for that educate them about wildlife and the natural world. Sometimes wildlife rehab centers offer educational group meetings for children as well. Most of these places will have animals for the children to see and become interested in. Petting zoos will also help spark your child's interest in outdoor life.
7. Sign petitions or create one.
Signing petitions that support wildlife and the environment will always help. There are a lot of petitions out there these days. Some of the groups i listed in #1. put out petitions to sign on a regular basis. I sign petitions myself every few days. Most of the time I sign these petitions online but some of them are still the physical type that come in the mail. After joining any of these groups, you will have petitions sent to you. Though I find it best to sign pre-made petitions, you can create your own for free. There are different sites that offer this but two of them are Care2 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/create.html and Petition Online http://www.petitiononline.com/..
8. Buy safer products.
There are many new natural products being made that are safer for the environment. Using products that are made from natural ingredients and are non-toxic to the environment is not only helpful but safer. These products are safer for you, your children and pets. Indoors, the air quality is also better when you are not using cleaners with harsh chemicals. Outdoors, the run-off from using natural products won't pollute the environment or kill wildlife. Choosing products sold in a biodegradable bag or container can help as well.
9. Switch to a clean energy source.
Naturally, not everyone has the money to do this. If you can, switching your home or business to using a clean energy source, such as solar, will help both the environment and yourself in the future. More people and businesses are using clean energy sources every year. There are companies across the United States that supply products for using solar, wind and geothermal energy in the home or business. Places powered by clean energy help reduce air pollution. Some states offer big discounts on having solar panels installed in your home. This can save you a lot of money on the electric bill after the panels have been installed. If you are going to build a new home or office building then you should seriously consider using a clean energy power source.
10. Conserve land.
Buying land so that it can't be destroyed and used by builders is definitely helpful. Some farmers are given money by the government just to not grow or build anything on their land. Either way, buying land habitat and leaving it as is will give wildlife in that area a place to survive. This also saves plant life, which is important for the production of oxygen. Trees, wildflowers and other plants feed wildlife and us as well. If you own land, don't sell it to builders. Instead, sell it to the park district or donate the area as a preserve. In a Will, some people leave their land to a park district or state preserve.
Educate your children on the environment and wildlife. Just taking them on a camping trip or hiking in a park can be beneficial. This creates interest and promotes learning about the environment. They also tell friends about what they saw. Make sure you give them the facts about the wildlife they see and not bad information based on rumors or fear. There are many programs for children in parks, zoos and nature centers. Meetings for these events are posted on websites and in newsletters put out by parks and zoos. Some places, such as the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm here in Ohio, has both indoor and outdoor environmental education classes for children. There are even live animals in the visitor center. Museums will also have events you can sign your children up for that educate them about wildlife and the natural world. Sometimes wildlife rehab centers offer educational group meetings for children as well. Most of these places will have animals for the children to see and become interested in. Petting zoos will also help spark your child's interest in outdoor life.
7. Sign petitions or create one.
Signing petitions that support wildlife and the environment will always help. There are a lot of petitions out there these days. Some of the groups i listed in #1. put out petitions to sign on a regular basis. I sign petitions myself every few days. Most of the time I sign these petitions online but some of them are still the physical type that come in the mail. After joining any of these groups, you will have petitions sent to you. Though I find it best to sign pre-made petitions, you can create your own for free. There are different sites that offer this but two of them are Care2 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/create.html and Petition Online http://www.petitiononline.com/..
8. Buy safer products.
There are many new natural products being made that are safer for the environment. Using products that are made from natural ingredients and are non-toxic to the environment is not only helpful but safer. These products are safer for you, your children and pets. Indoors, the air quality is also better when you are not using cleaners with harsh chemicals. Outdoors, the run-off from using natural products won't pollute the environment or kill wildlife. Choosing products sold in a biodegradable bag or container can help as well.
9. Switch to a clean energy source.
Naturally, not everyone has the money to do this. If you can, switching your home or business to using a clean energy source, such as solar, will help both the environment and yourself in the future. More people and businesses are using clean energy sources every year. There are companies across the United States that supply products for using solar, wind and geothermal energy in the home or business. Places powered by clean energy help reduce air pollution. Some states offer big discounts on having solar panels installed in your home. This can save you a lot of money on the electric bill after the panels have been installed. If you are going to build a new home or office building then you should seriously consider using a clean energy power source.
10. Conserve land.
Buying land so that it can't be destroyed and used by builders is definitely helpful. Some farmers are given money by the government just to not grow or build anything on their land. Either way, buying land habitat and leaving it as is will give wildlife in that area a place to survive. This also saves plant life, which is important for the production of oxygen. Trees, wildflowers and other plants feed wildlife and us as well. If you own land, don't sell it to builders. Instead, sell it to the park district or donate the area as a preserve. In a Will, some people leave their land to a park district or state preserve.
Photo - Blooming Pinecones ! Eleven Through Fifteen !
11. Speak out.
Speak out against companies and pollititions who want to do things that will further destroy wildlife, environment and natural resources. Whether you sign a petition, send a letter, file a complaint or call on the phone, make yourself heard. You can also contact your local TV station or newspaper and speak out against people who are trying to create something that is harmful to the environment and/or wildlife. Also, tell your leaders that we need to end out dependence on oil and move the country towards using clean energy. Many environmental groups have petitions you can sign but also offer contact information and conduct meetings as well.
12. Safely dispose of unused medications.
Currently, there are more places in cities throughout the United States that offer drop off locations for unused medications. Not far from me, across the border into Lawrenceburg Indiana, there is a drop off point supplied every month. A local county sheriff I know over there is involved with the collection. I was glad to hear this since thousands of medications are flushed down toilets and drains every day. These drugs pollute and alter the environment, especially the wildlife. Synthetic hormones are a big problem in the environment. If you can take unused medications to a drop off point for proper disposal then please do so. If not, then dissolving the drugs in water and pouring it over your garbage in a plastic garbage bag before you put the trash out is the next best thing.
13. Return reusable products.
Take reusable products, such as toner and ink cartridges, to stores or companies that will send them out for recycling or refurbishing. This helps to cut down on non-biodegradable material in city dumps. It also decreases the amount of garbage you put out to be picked up. Cartridges, car batteries, auto parts, computers, cell phones and other products can be taken to places that sell them so that the used items are recycled or reused.
14. Create awareness.
Creating awareness about the devastation of the environment and wildlife is simple. You are currently looking at one way to do it right now. Yes, creating your own nature website is one way to help the environment. This helps in getting people interested in the world around them and learn about what can be done to fight against the destruction of the habitats. Placing your nature photos online for people to see and get interested can draw attention too. One other way to create awareness is to form your own environmental and/or wildlife group. It can take time, work and money but if you have help then the group can become a reality. It is easier if you have contacts or know someone who is wealthy. Some people will have signs on their property or bumper stickers on their car in order to help with creating awareness. It is not for everyone but it helps.
15. Invest in nature.
Investing in parks, wildlife organizations, environmental groups and land habitat will help both the environment and economy. Payments to organizations are tax deductible. This aside, investing in land and water habitats means better protection for the production of crops, fish, insects and clean water. When an area has no crops, clean water or breeding fish then all of these resources must be brought in. That costs money. Having cleaner air, regular food sources and clean water is good for the economy, not just the environment. Many of the world ecosystems are worth much more if they are left intact than they are worth if destroyed, usually for a single purpose like logging. The environment has become big business and smart people are making money by investing in its protection.
Speak out against companies and pollititions who want to do things that will further destroy wildlife, environment and natural resources. Whether you sign a petition, send a letter, file a complaint or call on the phone, make yourself heard. You can also contact your local TV station or newspaper and speak out against people who are trying to create something that is harmful to the environment and/or wildlife. Also, tell your leaders that we need to end out dependence on oil and move the country towards using clean energy. Many environmental groups have petitions you can sign but also offer contact information and conduct meetings as well.
12. Safely dispose of unused medications.
Currently, there are more places in cities throughout the United States that offer drop off locations for unused medications. Not far from me, across the border into Lawrenceburg Indiana, there is a drop off point supplied every month. A local county sheriff I know over there is involved with the collection. I was glad to hear this since thousands of medications are flushed down toilets and drains every day. These drugs pollute and alter the environment, especially the wildlife. Synthetic hormones are a big problem in the environment. If you can take unused medications to a drop off point for proper disposal then please do so. If not, then dissolving the drugs in water and pouring it over your garbage in a plastic garbage bag before you put the trash out is the next best thing.
13. Return reusable products.
Take reusable products, such as toner and ink cartridges, to stores or companies that will send them out for recycling or refurbishing. This helps to cut down on non-biodegradable material in city dumps. It also decreases the amount of garbage you put out to be picked up. Cartridges, car batteries, auto parts, computers, cell phones and other products can be taken to places that sell them so that the used items are recycled or reused.
14. Create awareness.
Creating awareness about the devastation of the environment and wildlife is simple. You are currently looking at one way to do it right now. Yes, creating your own nature website is one way to help the environment. This helps in getting people interested in the world around them and learn about what can be done to fight against the destruction of the habitats. Placing your nature photos online for people to see and get interested can draw attention too. One other way to create awareness is to form your own environmental and/or wildlife group. It can take time, work and money but if you have help then the group can become a reality. It is easier if you have contacts or know someone who is wealthy. Some people will have signs on their property or bumper stickers on their car in order to help with creating awareness. It is not for everyone but it helps.
15. Invest in nature.
Investing in parks, wildlife organizations, environmental groups and land habitat will help both the environment and economy. Payments to organizations are tax deductible. This aside, investing in land and water habitats means better protection for the production of crops, fish, insects and clean water. When an area has no crops, clean water or breeding fish then all of these resources must be brought in. That costs money. Having cleaner air, regular food sources and clean water is good for the economy, not just the environment. Many of the world ecosystems are worth much more if they are left intact than they are worth if destroyed, usually for a single purpose like logging. The environment has become big business and smart people are making money by investing in its protection.
Photo - Regal Moth ! Sixteen Through Twenty One !
16. Support protection Acts.
Supporting Acts that protect clean energy, water, air, land and wildlife is something everyone should do. Some of the petitions I sign are supporting these Acts. If community voting is allowed for an Act concerning the environment then be sure to vote. You can go online or even meet in groups to support the Acts that protect the natural world and the habitats in your own community. Sometimes people will come to your home in order for you to sign a form supporting an Act. You can call people or volunteer to go to people's homes yourself if you want to further help.
17. Recycle or reuse.
Though recycling helps the environment, not everyone will or can recycle. When it comes to cans, plastic, glass or paper, you have to have an amount worth collecting to be recycled. However, some supermarkets will take back paper and plastic bags you got from the store when shopping there. Where I live, one store will give you a penny for every bag you bring back. Some bottles can also be returned to stores. The basics aside, many products can be returned to stores or dropped off at recycling centers. Several types of electronics and their accessories can be recycled or reused. The toner cartridges my parents buy for their printer are refurbished and are cheaper to buy as a result. They then drop the empty used cartridges off at the local office supply store. A half hour from where I live is a recycling center where we drop off the crushed aluminum cans and get some money in return.
You can also help by reusing containers instead of throwing them in the trash. Plastic containers and glass jars with screw on lids are great to have around for different things you want to store or place in the refrigerator. Buying reusable plastic containers, such as Tupperware, and using rechargeable batteries are also smart ideas. Rechargeable batteries, such as NICD or NIMH are reusable for years. This saves you money and prevents more batteries from being disposed in dump sites or other areas.
18. Use products from recycled paper and reusable shopping bags.
Using products made from recycled paper helps the environment. There are many more items out there that are made from recycled paper than people are aware of. One example is the pen I have. Yes, a pen. The pen is made of recycled paper and is stiff like cardboard. It is shaped like any other pen and has printing on it. The tiny plastic parts on the ends are also recycled material. The pen works well. When shopping in the stores or online, look for products made of, or contained in, recycled paper. Reusable shopping bags is another good idea. Many are available and some are made from recycled materials. I have seen these bags sold in different stores. Some look like tote bags and are not expensive.
19. Get a free home energy audit and ask about green power.
Most public utilities will conduct home energy audits for their customers, free of charge. A home energy audit will tell you how much power your household uses and offer specific strategies to help you reduce your energy consumption. Another thing to ask your local utility company is whether it offers green power, which is electricity generated using some type of renewable energy source such as hydropower, wind power, solar power, geothermal or biomass.
More than 600 utilities in 37 U.S. states offer green power as an option for their customers. As a result, more than 50 percent of retail energy customers in the United States now have the option of purchasing green power directly from their electricity supplier.
20. Use animal warning devices.
I wish more people would use the animal warning devices on their cars and trucks. These are commonly known as Deer Alert Whistles but alert other species as well, including dogs. We can not hear the whistles but other species can. These devices not only save wildlife but prevent damaging or even deadly car accidents. I;m shocked that car companies don't include the animal warning devices as a standard part of your vehicle purchase, especially because of all the accidents involving deer. Though, the car companies make more money when their vehicles are destroyed and people have to buy a new car or truck. If you are going to buy an animal alert device for your car or someone you care about then the electronic sonic alert whistles are better than the type that work using air movement. Here is a site that compares Deer Alert Devices. http://www.911phone.net/Alert.htm
21. Replace Products in the Home
It is best to replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Right now, in 2011, you can still buy both standard and CFL bulbs but in the next few years standard light bulbs will no longer be for sale. CFL's use much less electric and last for several years. This means you save money on both the cost of the electric bill and buying light bulbs. Also, CFL bulbs do not put off all the heat standard bulbs do, so you save money on air conditioning. Replacing old appliances with newer energy efficient models is also better for you and the environment since you will be using less electric in that way as well. Some other things you can replace in the home to help the environment are products made of wood, when the time comes. Using newer products made of metal, plastic, polyresin, hard rubber or other materials is not only helping to preserve trees but helps the buyer as well. These materials hold up better, can be stronger, waterproof, don't rot, don't burn and never get destroyed by termites. However, there are wood products made from bamboo instead of trees, if you don't have concern for the environment or just really like wood. Bamboo wood is very strong and can be used to create any of the same products that came from trees. It should have been grown decades ago on a larger scale and used to create wood products in the U.S., as it has in Asia for generations. If you want to know more about Bamboo then go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo.
Supporting Acts that protect clean energy, water, air, land and wildlife is something everyone should do. Some of the petitions I sign are supporting these Acts. If community voting is allowed for an Act concerning the environment then be sure to vote. You can go online or even meet in groups to support the Acts that protect the natural world and the habitats in your own community. Sometimes people will come to your home in order for you to sign a form supporting an Act. You can call people or volunteer to go to people's homes yourself if you want to further help.
17. Recycle or reuse.
Though recycling helps the environment, not everyone will or can recycle. When it comes to cans, plastic, glass or paper, you have to have an amount worth collecting to be recycled. However, some supermarkets will take back paper and plastic bags you got from the store when shopping there. Where I live, one store will give you a penny for every bag you bring back. Some bottles can also be returned to stores. The basics aside, many products can be returned to stores or dropped off at recycling centers. Several types of electronics and their accessories can be recycled or reused. The toner cartridges my parents buy for their printer are refurbished and are cheaper to buy as a result. They then drop the empty used cartridges off at the local office supply store. A half hour from where I live is a recycling center where we drop off the crushed aluminum cans and get some money in return.
You can also help by reusing containers instead of throwing them in the trash. Plastic containers and glass jars with screw on lids are great to have around for different things you want to store or place in the refrigerator. Buying reusable plastic containers, such as Tupperware, and using rechargeable batteries are also smart ideas. Rechargeable batteries, such as NICD or NIMH are reusable for years. This saves you money and prevents more batteries from being disposed in dump sites or other areas.
18. Use products from recycled paper and reusable shopping bags.
Using products made from recycled paper helps the environment. There are many more items out there that are made from recycled paper than people are aware of. One example is the pen I have. Yes, a pen. The pen is made of recycled paper and is stiff like cardboard. It is shaped like any other pen and has printing on it. The tiny plastic parts on the ends are also recycled material. The pen works well. When shopping in the stores or online, look for products made of, or contained in, recycled paper. Reusable shopping bags is another good idea. Many are available and some are made from recycled materials. I have seen these bags sold in different stores. Some look like tote bags and are not expensive.
19. Get a free home energy audit and ask about green power.
Most public utilities will conduct home energy audits for their customers, free of charge. A home energy audit will tell you how much power your household uses and offer specific strategies to help you reduce your energy consumption. Another thing to ask your local utility company is whether it offers green power, which is electricity generated using some type of renewable energy source such as hydropower, wind power, solar power, geothermal or biomass.
More than 600 utilities in 37 U.S. states offer green power as an option for their customers. As a result, more than 50 percent of retail energy customers in the United States now have the option of purchasing green power directly from their electricity supplier.
20. Use animal warning devices.
I wish more people would use the animal warning devices on their cars and trucks. These are commonly known as Deer Alert Whistles but alert other species as well, including dogs. We can not hear the whistles but other species can. These devices not only save wildlife but prevent damaging or even deadly car accidents. I;m shocked that car companies don't include the animal warning devices as a standard part of your vehicle purchase, especially because of all the accidents involving deer. Though, the car companies make more money when their vehicles are destroyed and people have to buy a new car or truck. If you are going to buy an animal alert device for your car or someone you care about then the electronic sonic alert whistles are better than the type that work using air movement. Here is a site that compares Deer Alert Devices. http://www.911phone.net/Alert.htm
21. Replace Products in the Home
It is best to replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Right now, in 2011, you can still buy both standard and CFL bulbs but in the next few years standard light bulbs will no longer be for sale. CFL's use much less electric and last for several years. This means you save money on both the cost of the electric bill and buying light bulbs. Also, CFL bulbs do not put off all the heat standard bulbs do, so you save money on air conditioning. Replacing old appliances with newer energy efficient models is also better for you and the environment since you will be using less electric in that way as well. Some other things you can replace in the home to help the environment are products made of wood, when the time comes. Using newer products made of metal, plastic, polyresin, hard rubber or other materials is not only helping to preserve trees but helps the buyer as well. These materials hold up better, can be stronger, waterproof, don't rot, don't burn and never get destroyed by termites. However, there are wood products made from bamboo instead of trees, if you don't have concern for the environment or just really like wood. Bamboo wood is very strong and can be used to create any of the same products that came from trees. It should have been grown decades ago on a larger scale and used to create wood products in the U.S., as it has in Asia for generations. If you want to know more about Bamboo then go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo.