The Importance of Environmental Stewardship
Practicing environmental stewardship is a critical component of helping preserve the world’s pristine outdoors. Practiced on public lands, these program help to target the public via education outreach and research programs. Designed to ensure that tomorrow’s future generations have adequate access to wild, free-flowing rivers, unpolluted lands and pollution-free waters, environmental stewardship involves being a responsible steward of the land.
Environmental stewards focus on sustaining the world’s natural resources and preserving delicate ecosystems and environments. Not only does this include preserving the land and waters, but it also focuses on being responsible to animals and humankind.
By simply going green and acknowledging the earth has limited resources, people can help ensure that pristine wildernesses remains undeveloped and intact for future generations. No one wants a world without camping, river rafting and kayaking or abundant native wildlife. Instead of focusing on the “now,” people can begin focusing on preserving this abundant beauty for the future, ensuring that future generations learn the art of white water rafting and experience historic outdoor sites.
So what can regular citizens do to encourage environmental stewardship and begin going green?
Idling – When cars idle, it wastes nearly 2.9 billion gallons of gas annually, which sends harmful fumes into the environment.
Electronics – Turn off computer and electronics at night to help save an average of $90 annually on electricity expenses.
Green Energy – This varies by state, but many electric companies allow consumers to purchase green power.
Thermostat – By simply turning down thermostats, households can reduce their heating and cooling bills. For every one degree lowered for heating and one degree increased for air conditioning, consumers save between one- to three-percent on their electric bills.
Cold Water – Washing laundry in cold water helps reduce energy usage by 90-percent.
Online – Consider paying bills online, which eliminates the need for paper envelopes, stamps and post office fossil fuels.
Junk Mail – Estimates show that 28 billion gallons of water and nearly 100 million trees are used annually to send junk mail. Sign up for websites that reduce junk mail.
Printing – Instead of only printing on a single side, consider dual page printing options, which helps reduce the average 27 pounds of paper used by each person annually.
Carpool Lanes – Designed to save time and money, carpool lanes help reduce harmful carbon emissions.
Milk – Hormone-free milk is better for animals and the environment. While the use of hormones is banned in most countries worldwide, the complications that result from hormones include infections.
By simply changing small everyday habits, we can join together to help ensure a safe, bright and environmentally friendly future for generations to come.