Earth Day 2022: Invest In Our Planet
Every day is a great day to reflect on how you can give back to our planet.
And around Earth Day is an especially relevant time to think about how best you can celebrate Mother Earth.The theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in our Planet.” The idea here is to inspire all of us to work together in preserving and protecting our planet. In turn, this investment will not only benefit our wild and open spaces, but it will positively affect our health, our families, and our livelihood. And all of those are obviously worth the investment.
Keep reading to discover some different ways you can invest in our planet this year.
Participate in a Trail Cleanup
Search your local trail’s website and see if there are ways to volunteer your time by participating in a trail cleanup. Be sure to take your own gloves and find out if trash bags will be provided, and if you should do some research on how to properly dispose of your trash.
If you can’t find a local trail cleanup, host your own! REI has a helpful post on their site with tips on how to do this here.
Volunteer with Your Local Park
The volunteer process will be different per park, but it’s easy to get started. Go to your town park’s website and find the “volunteer” tab.
Learn the Leave No Trace Principles
Everyone at every age should learn these seven principles:
· Plan ahead & prepare
· Travel & camp on durable surfaces
· Dispose of waste properly
· Leave what you find
· Minimize campfire impacts
· Respect wildlife
· Be considerate of other visitors
While You’re Being Kind to the Earth and Her Trails, Be Kind to Each Other
We are thrilled to help promote the principles of Outside Kind, a campaign launched by One Montana and supported by several Montana-based orgs and businesses, with the goal of protecting the people and places we love, and to explore ethical use issues that all recreational users need to know about.
One of the tenets of Outside Kind is to Be Aware, because understanding trail conditions is critical. Their website reminds us to “observe weather and trail conditions and be mindful of guidelines for each trail system. Awareness helps create a positive trail experience for all and conserves resources. And be prepared with a plan B if trail conditions are too muddy.”
Donate to Organizations
Our tree-planting partner, Trees for the Future, trains sub-Saharan communities on sustainable land use so that they can grow vibrant economies, thriving food systems, and a healthier planet. As they see it, and we agree, the “Forest Garden” solution they use equips farmers with tools and knowledge
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges we face. Tree planting alone will not solve hunger, poverty, or the climate crisis. By training farmers in the Forest Garden Approach, we provide families with the tools and training they need to ensure they can thrive on their land longterm.”
- Trees for the Future
Learn more and support their work here.
Plant Your Own Garden
Did you know that when you grow your own vegetables, you are reducing carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels? And, no plastic is required when you harvest vegetables straight from your garden, which also reduces fossil fuel inputs.
Here is how to get started:
1. Find out your climate zone and decide what to grow. Knowing your climate zone will help determine this. And of course, pick what you and your family like to eat!
2. Pick your location, ideally a flat piece of land. Most plants require several hours of direct sunlight a day, so look for an area that receives enough full sun.
3. Get some basic gardening tools. At a minimum, you’ll need a shovel and a pair of gloves.
4. Test your soil before starting a garden. Contact your local USDA cooperative extension service office to do this. There is usually a fee associated with testing, but it's small.
5. Prep your garden bed. Pull any weeds making sure to get all the roots. A good tip is to make a bed that is no more than four feet wide so you can reach into the center without stepping in the soil and compacting it.
6. Decide whether to grow from seed or seedling plants. Growing from seeds might save money, but it's a long process. If you buy young plants from a local nursery, remember that you don’t necessarily want the biggest, as these are often “root bound,” meaning they have outgrown their pots and might not transition well into your garden.
7. Plant! Sow any seeds at the depth indicated on the seed packet and water them whenever the surface of the soil dries out. For plants, carefully take them out of their pots and create a hole in the soil no bigger than the roots. Position the plant, cover the roots with soil, and press it into the dirt.
8. Water and care for your garden. During the growing season, plants typically require about an inch of water per week. An easy way to check if plants need water is to stick your finger two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, then it's most likely time to water. In summer, be vigilant about watering.
Lastly, Buy a Pair of Oboz Footwear
Did you know we plant a tree for every pair of Oboz mid, low or insole sold?
We’ve been doing this since our beginning in 2007. Learn more here.
