Small Actions Spark Big Changes
You can make our planet more sustainable
At the Academy of Natural Sciences, we believe that individual actions can truly make a difference. Each month of
2023, we’ll guide our community in a conversation about how everyday choices can affect the health of our
environment. Follow along with us here, on our Blog, on social media @acadnatsci, through email and in the museum to
join the conversation!
May/June : Spring Garden Guide
A little bit of gardening can go a long way in supporting the health of our planet. Whether you live in the city, suburbs or out in the woods, you can help local biodiversity flourish with a few of these simple spring garden tips.
Check out the resources below and learn how you can make small changes with big environmental impacts this season on our Blog!
Outside potted plants need nutrients, air and water to thrive. Consider creating a simple potting mix this spring that includes equal parts: store-bought soil; peat or sphagnum moss; compost; and coarse sand. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly. Add a handful of rocks at the bottom of the pot before adding in your mix — this will help promote water's movement. Be sure to use pots with drainage holes! Then, research whether your potted plant needs plenty of sunshine or a bit of shade; spring-planted bulbs usually require a full day of sun.
March/April: 10 Hikes to Explore Our Watershed
We all live downstream. While the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers provide drinking water for many of the people in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the streams that feed into them are all part of our watershed. Also known as a basin, a watershed is simply the land in which all the water such as rainfall, snowmelt and runoff drains to a nearby river, creek or stream.
Looking to create a deeper connection to your watershed? Check out our Blog to learn how you can get up close and personal with the waterways that connect to our major drinking water supplies with some wonderful walks.
January/February 2025: Reuse, Rewear, Repair
It is the new year and time for a lifestyle change. While it’s daunting to contemplate the many issues that we need to tackle to achieve greater social equity and environmental sustainability — especially in our everyday lives — small, individual actions can add up to make a difference. Check out our Academy Blog for some inspiration to get you started on simply reusing, repairing and rewearing. Be sure to discover some of these local organizations supporting the purpose, too!