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!
November/December 2024: How to Have a Green and Sustainable Holiday Season
It's that time of year to celebrate winter, gather with family, friends and loved ones and think about all the good you’ll do in the new year. If you find yourself wondering how to be more environmentally conscious, then you can start with a few of these simple tips that will help make your holiday season green and sustainable.
From gourds to candles to gifts to the debate on what kind of tree to use, you can learn more by checking out our Blog, as well as some of these additional resources.
September 2024: Fall Garden Guide
A little bit of gardening can go a long way in supporting the health of our planet and communities. Whether you live in the city, suburbs or out in the woods, you can support your local neighborhood, grow delicious vegetables, admire beautiful flowers and help biodiversity flourish — all with a few of these simple autumn garden tips.
Check out the resources below and learn how you can make small changes with big environmental impacts this season on our Blog!
August 2024: Start Composting
Composting is one of the most productive ways to support sustainability. It nourishes your yard, reduces waste in landfills, strengthens local farming and food production, improves climate resilience in communities and helps create green jobs.
By simply turning organic matter — such as leaves, fruit peels, food scraps, coffee grounds and more — back into nutrient-rich soil, we can make a big difference in the environment.
Learn about different types of composting and what to do with it on our Blog. And check out these other resources for more decomposing fun!
June/July 2024: Simple Ways to Reduce Plastic
Whether you’re exploring city streets, nearby shorelines or suburban parks, you can take the first step in your plastic-free journey this summer. And you won’t be alone — a recent WWF survey reports that nearly everyone around the world wants to see harmful single-use plastic packaging and products disappear completely.
Let’s join together to reduce our plastic waste and make clean water a priority. Check out our Academy Blog for some tips to ease off daily-use plastics and help keep our environment healthy.
April 2024: 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.
Check out One Million Acts of Science this April!
Many people love learning about the world around them: they’re curious, concerned and want to make a difference. The good news: people of all ages can do real science, at any time, by becoming community scientists!
Check out Scistarter' One Million Acts of Science Citizen Science page this April and help log 1,000,000 Acts of Science during Citizen Science Month. Find detailed info about projects you can participate in!
February/March 2024: Simple Ways to Support Spring Bird Migration
Baltimore Oriole © Johann Schumacher/VIREO
The snow is melting, the sky is often blue and the weather seems to be warming up. Spring is the perfect time to spot both local and migrating birds, as well as plan for the upcoming year’s sustainable changes. Plants, feeders, birdhouses and even a few small alterations in our daily habits can go a long way in supporting the livelihood and diversity of nearby bird species.
Whether you live in the woods or in the city, check out the Academy’s Blog for simple tips on how to make your own environment biodiverse and bird friendly this season.
Additional Resources
January 2024: Alternatives to Road Salt
When cold weather arrives each year, an estimated 20 million tons of sodium chloride, or salt, is scattered on U.S. roads. When all this salt melts, it runs directly into our soil, groundwater and nearby freshwater streams and rivers, persisting in the ecosystem year after year. Nearly 40 percent of urban streams in the U.S. already have chloride levels that exceed the safe guidelines for aquatic life.
This winter, think sustainably and make a change. Learn more about why road salt impacts our environment and check out our Blog for some alternatives.