Take Action with Your Children

• Explore: Spend time outdoors to develop a deeper appreciation for our important connection to the planet--reflect via nature journaling, phenology walks, nature-based activities, and get to know the green spaces in your town and neighboring towns.

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Colleen Parenteau, Tower School Science Teacher and Garden Coordinator, has prepared these Marblehead-based nature guides:

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Autumn Seed Saving and Sowing to Support Native Pollinators

Meet The Trees of Steer Swamp Conservation Area

The Night Tree and Feeding Winter Birds

Wild About Wetlands

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• Educate: Watch films and read books on sustainability and include a diversity of authors and perspectives.

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• Consume responsibly: Calculate your family’s carbon footprint as a concrete way to help your children understand the resources they use on a daily basis, identify ways to use fewer resources, and ultimately live more sustainably.

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• Replace: Single-use plastic packaging with reusable packing/wrapping options, and reduce use of pre-packaged snacks.

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• Reduce:  

- what is making its way to the landfill and start composting! 

- harsh household cleaners with those with natural ingredients and experiment with homemade alternatives 

- water consumption 

 

• Stop: Idling, and reduce the time spent driving around town. Consider spending more time on foot, bike or scooter.  Track the number of car rides, distances, and fuel fill-ups per week.  

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• Clean up: Remove trash on the bike path, beaches, playgrounds and fields, and collect data that contributes to scientific research and a cleaner planet.

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• Speak up: Become a Climate Action Hero, while also writing to local leaders encouraging them to support beneficial environmental policy.

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• Donate:

- a portion of allowance/gift money to a local environmental organization

- give away, swap or sell items you no longer need to alleviate landfill waste and help others 

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• Support: Purchase products from local merchants who support sustainable practices and aim to reduce eco footprint; support local farmers.

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• Grow: An awareness with your children to the benefits of creating a garden and growing your own food, while also creating food and habitats for bees and butterflies.