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Sustainability Challenge Day 2:
September 20, 2020
Our House is on Fire…
OK, I’m plagiarizing maybe the most well-known climate activist of all time, but the title fits today’s topic.
During COVID, I’ve found that a walk through Reinstein Woods brings my blood pressure down, especially after watching stories of the record-breaking wildfires raging across western states. While fire is a natural part of some ecosystems, climate change is causing fires to be hotter and more destructive around the world. Last winter we heard about wildfires in Australia, and Brazil has its own human-set fire problem.
Forests have a role to play in mitigating climate change, as do other open spaces. Many of these important habitats still exist thanks to people who care about them. Think of the tropical forests where summer visitors to Reinstein Woods like the wood thrush (pictured) and hummingbirds find a winter home; a lot of those forests would not exist without the work of international conservation organizations. Without people who care, our forests are “toast”!
Explore:
As part of the 20-2020 Festival, Reinstein Woods is sponsoring the 20-Day Get Oudoors Challenge to highlight some of the outdoor gems, including several forests, in Western New York. You can explore these properties, and support the organizations that care for them, including Friends of Reinstein Woods.
Big Step: Join, donate, volunteer and spread the word
Ok, we know that’s four steps, but all four are part of one big effort to protect the lands that give us oxygen and clean water. (Plus people like to have options to choose from…)
Find a group that stewards parks and preserves in New York, or a land trust that protects land in both public and private ownership. Join or donate to their cause. If you can, pledge to volunteer your time and talents at least once this fall. Then tell someone what you did and why. Maybe they’ll be inspired to flame into action!
Already Doing This?
As someone who self-selected for this challenge, you may already give to a variety of organizations. If you do, kudos! Challenge yourself to give more – more of your time, more of your money, more of your voice. As you move through the next 18 days and take money-saving actions, make plans to put your savings toward conservation causes.
Small Step:
To protect forests, you can also follow the frog…but we’ll explain that on Day 7.
“All forests in the world need to be given the same name, so that people can understand that there is only one forest in the world and that every burning forest is his own forest, no matter where in the world!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan
A Look Ahead:
Tomorrow we explore what propels you to where you need to go…