by Christine Pesta
As the weather gets warmer, people tend to take up more of their free time with outdoor activities. Some may go to the beach, go hiking or camping, or maybe just head to the local park for a picnic.
What if at least one of those times you ventured outside, it was not just for the purpose of being out in the fresh air or getting some exercise, but to make a difference?
If we are to face facts, the more people outside means more air pollution from vehicles on the road, more littler left at parks and beaches, and so on. Wouldn’t it be nice to visit a park without having to clear a bench of someone else’s litter before sitting down? Isn’t it more difficult to feel like you’re getting away from it all on a hike when a reminder of civilization floats by you in the form of a soda can or candy wrapper in the stream your walking next to?
Sometimes, we can help ourselves, and each other, by taking up activities that help the community and the environment. Joining a local cleanup group at the beach or park might prove to be a very satisfying day out. If you can’t find one, organize one.
Don’t stop there. You will find that there are groups that take on the task of painting and repairing neglected areas around town in an effort to revitalize the community. There are volunteer groups that help build houses for low-income families. You can pitch in or start a community garden in your neighborhood that gets neighbors up and active, socializing and helping to feed each other with the nutritious bounty they grow. You can even organize a local farmer’s market with any excess food to raise money for more seeds and equipment in order to grow even more food to feed those in need.
There are also groups that plant trees, or take people on nature hikes so that they can learn about and appreciate the natural world around them. Many of these involve kids who can learn about the importance of taking care of the planet as its next custodians, or the elderly who may otherwise remain housebound without the benefit of such a group to help get them out and active once again. It is also a way for lower income people, perhaps with no access to transportation, to carpool with others to a destination that gets them out and enjoying the benefits of the outdoors, away from the noise and stress of the city.
Volunteering your time doesn’t stop there and doesn’t always have to be an outdoor activity. Coaching a local sports team, donating your time to an animal shelter or children’s hospital, and getting involved at your library with a literacy program to help adults learn to read, are also wonderful ways to give back and pitch in.
If you have a particular skill that you think people could benefit from, like learning how to cook or fix cars, there are community colleges and recreation centers that would welcome your talents and you would be helping people to put nutritious meals on their table, or save money with small auto repairs they can do themselves.
There are so many ways to help out, while still enjoying your time off from work or school, that can be of use to those around you. If you do decide to organize groups to help with certain activities, another way to help the environment would be to have everyone get to the destination by carpooling or riding bicycles. Having people become more aware of how to minimize their carbon footprint is another benefit to interacting with the community for positive change.
Where do you think you can best help where you live? Look around your neighborhood and the nearby recreational areas to see what needs doing. Change begins with each one of us and there’s nothing more satisfying than helping the environment, helping your community, and helping yourself to enjoy a better quality of life.
