By Sydney S.
Happy new year from the Sustainable Saplings! To celebrate the new year, try a few activities from the list below to learn more about environmental topics and support local businesses. These activities are sorted into effort levels, ranging from low, moderate, and high. 2022 is a great year to learn about Wisconsin, make informed choices as consumers and voters, and immerse ourselves in the gorgeous environment we get to call home.
POST-HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES1
- Repurpose your Christmas tree for cleaner: Snip off a few small pieces and let them soak in white vinegar for 1-2 weeks to create an infused pine-scented vinegar; mix with water in a 1:1 ratio for an all-natural cleaner.
- Repurpose your Christmas tree for plant coverage: Use boughs cut from your tree to insulate perennials during the tough winter months.
- Repurpose your Christmas tree for your neighborhood creatures: Place your tree out in your yard if you have the space and it won’t create a fire hazard. Birds and other small animals will appreciate its shelter during winter.
LOW-TO-MODERATE EFFORT
- Purchase a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker: If you’re planning on visiting any of the Wisconsin State Parks in 2022, the daily pass for vehicles ranges from $8-13 per day. By purchasing a vehicle admission sticker for $28, you start saving money after just 4 visits!
- Listen to an environmental podcast: During the dark winter months, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get moving. I highly recommend downloading and listening to a podcast episode to listen to during your workout. State of Change is a great Wisconsin-based podcast with episodes on different environmental topics about the dairy state, such as extreme heat in Milwaukee. Looking for something more global? How to Save a Planet features two excellent hosts who break down common climate topics and questions, like if electric cars really are better for the environment. Both of these podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Sign a petition to protect the Boundary Waters: The Wilderness Society has created a petition to stop a mining company from building another site next to the Boundary Waters, which would threaten wildlife and pollute the protected waters.
- Learn about the Native American Tribal Nations of Wisconsin: The Wisconsin First Nations website is filled with compelling resources to learn more about the 12 Native American tribal nations in Wisconsin, including a current map of territories.
- Watch a Ted Talk: Katharine Hayhoe’s Ted Talk on the most important thing we can do to combat climate change is a superb watch!
- Right-leaning or Republican, and struggling to support environmental policies? Learn about Benji Backer, a Republican from Appleton, WI who founded the American Conservation Coalition. The ACC is a Republican non-profit combating climate change through the ACC’s “American Climate Contract.” The previously mentioned How to Save a Planet podcast has a great episode about Benji Backer’s efforts to encourage environmental policies among the GOP.
- Looking for a new appliance or household item? Join a local buy and sell Facebook group. Facebook groups and local Craigslist sites are a great place to find items you’re looking to purchase before you head to the store to buy brand new. I love saving a few dollars and saving items from ending up in landfills by purchasing used items from my neighbors. These gems range from books and movies, children’s toys (which are PLENTIFUL), furniture, electronics, and kitchen appliances like air fryers and coffee makers.
- Try cooking a vegetarian meal with local produce: pick an item that’s in season (use this reference list if you’re unsure) and create a vegetarian meal around the item. Try creating a yummy winter salad with pomegranate seeds or a refreshing clementine cocktail.
- Try a plant-based dish at a vegetarian or vegan restaurant2:
- Southern WI: The Green Owl Cafe (Madison), Surya Café (Fitchburg), and The Cheeze Factory (Baraboo)
- Eastern WI: Cafe Manna (Brookfield) and Kavarna Café & Coffee (Green Bay)
- Western WI: The Raw Deal (Menomonie) and The People’s Food Co-Op (La Crosse)
- Central WI: Wicked Willow (Stevens Point)
- Start a puzzle or book swap with friends and family: No one around to swap? Visit a local thrift store to pick up a new book or puzzle to enjoy during a snowy evening.
- Check out a refill shop: Green Life Trading (in Madison) and The Glass Pantry (in Milwaukee) are incredible female-owned refill shops but even Festival Foods has options for refilling bulk items like nuts and grains if you can’t make the trip into either city.
- Find a used item and recycle it properly: For example, Bare Minerals offers to recycle any brand of cosmetics (including lipstick and mascara tubes) if you drop off used items in-store, Best Buy has a recycling program for old electronics, such as phones, televisions, and printers, and Madewell accepts used denim jeans at their in-store locations for recycling.
MODERATE-TO-HIGH EFFORT
- Learn what you can and can’t recycle: find out which recycling company you use for curbside recycling and check out their website. Most recycling companies have a resource page to help you figure out what should go into your curbside recycling bin, and what belongs in landfills. In doubt over a certain item? Look for their contact page and send them an email – Waste Management was stellar with answering my questions when I reached out to them last year.
- Waste Management: https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-101
- John’s Disposal: http://www.johnsdisposal.com/site/garbage-recycling/
- City of Madison: https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/recycling/howTo.cfm
- City of Milwaukee: https://city.milwaukee.gov/recycle/what/Curbside-Recycling-Guide
- Appleton, Green Bay, and Oshkosh: https://recyclemoretricounty.org/recycling-guide/
- Switch to a less wasteful option: Try out a more earth-friendly option for commonly used items, like using Stasher bags instead of plastic Ziploc bags, using a safety razor instead of a disposable razor, using a stainless steel reusable coffee filter over one-time paper filters, etc.
- Find an ethical piece for your wardrobe: Looking to replace or upgrade an item in your closet you can’t thrift? Instead of shopping at the usual outlet stores full of mass-produced fast fashion, research ethical clothing companies to find a better alternative for people and the planet. Honorable mentions for Lev Apparel and Fair Indigo (both Wisconsin-based!), Patagonia, and Darn Tough.
- Try out composting: if you want a thriving garden and to reduce the amount of food waste going into landfills, give composting a try. There are tons of online guides to get you started, such as the NDRC’s infographic for what to compost.
- Explore a segment of the Ice Age Trail: The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a +1,000 mile trail winding throughout Wisconsin along the terminal moraine from the last Ice Age glaciers that existed 12,000 years ago. Use the Ice Age Alliance’s interactive map to plan your next hike, snowshoe, or cross-country skiing adventure. If you want to support this amazing trail, become a member of the Ice Age Alliance or volunteer!
- Pick up trash around your neighborhood, parks, and beaches: Diverting trash from going into your waterways and natural environments is a quick way to make a great impact in your neighborhood. With a pair of thick garden gloves, a grabber tool, and a trash bag to drop the garbage into, you’re ready for a stroll around the block to collect and properly dispose of litter.
- Visit the International Crane Foundation3: Located in Baraboo, WI, the International Crane Foundation offers tours for visitors to learn and support their conservation efforts for cranes across the world.
Sources:
Sustainable Saplings 