Environment & Sustainable Development Blog Area

By: Marikay Shellman, BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024) 

We all know that bugs are disappearing at an astounding rate.  We can all do something to help no matter how small your yard, even if it’s just a deck or balcony.  In that little “piece of Earth that you can influence” (Douglas Tallamy), you can create a microhabitat with small features including a rock, water source, leafy area.  This will provide bugs with shelter, food, water, and the ability to reproduce.  Hang up that rake and put away that leaf blower!  Leaving dead leaves, stems, brush piles (sticks in a flowerpot), you are providing not only nutrition for your soil, but also habitat for tiny insects. 

Don’t clean up the stems of perennial plants because seed heads provide feed for goldfinches and the stems provide shelter for overwintering insects and habitat for stem-nesting bees.  Plants will grow around them in the spring and many solitary native bees will nest in these stems yearround.  Notice as the weather warms that some stems have their

 ends blocked with mud or leaves or pebbles, possibly resin indicating that there is a nest inside.  Natural materials such as stems are a much healthier option than bee blocks and bee hotels.   

Creating habitat for Stem-Nesting bees is as easy as leaving dead flower stalks intact over the winter months.  When Spring arrives, cut back the dead flower stalks at varying heights from 8-24 inches and leaving the dead stumble to decompose naturally on the ground.  Female bees emerge and start nests in newly cut stems or stems laying on the ground.  As summer progresses, the new plant growth hides the dead flower stalk in which bee larvae are developing.  These native bees emerge in later summer months and repeat this cycle again.   

Stem-nesting bees frequently use Hyssop (Agastache), Echinacea, Sunflowers, Blazing Star (Liatris), Bee Balm 

(Monarda), Goldenrods (Solidago) Asters, Raspberries and other bramble bushes, Sumac (Rhus), and Elderberry. 

Bringing Back Pollinators is as easy as not tidying up your yard and garden so much.

By: Marikay Shellman, BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024) 

Simple Acts:  Lawn Culture vs Lawn Futures 

May is upon us and as the sound of lawn mowers echoes throughout the land (my neighbor starting mowing in early March), I wonder where the American obsession with the perfect lawn originated.   

A bit of lawn history:  From the Middle English word laude, the concept of the lawn originated in Europe, grasslands surrounding castles that were kept free of trees providing clear vision for guards.  These meadows were referred to as the village commons where villagers could graze their cattle and sheep, keeping the grass “mowed” and fertilized.  In the 16th Century, these meadows evolved into lawns, cultivated in France and England by the rich to display their wealth.  An important note, these lawns were often planted with chamomile and thyme rather than grass, a great alternative to modern grass.  In England in the 17^th Century, short trimmed grass lawns emerged as the symbol for rich landowners who could afford human labor to scythe and weed the grass.    

The American obsession with lawns didn’t exist until the late 18^th century.  Before then, front yards were a mix of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and chickens pecking at insects.  Suburbs began to grow after the Civil War bringing with them the lush, sprawling green lawn which became a mark of prosperity, the American Dream, and the trend of replicating grassy pastoralism of the Romantic era of landscape paintings. 

The first human-pushed lawn mower, the spiral-bladed mower, was designed in 1870.  By 1938, Toro had created a power mower that every American household could afford and would fit into a household garage, and most importantly, safe enough for teenagers to operate.  Now 54 million Americans mow their lawn every weekend spending about 70 hours per year on lawn care and emitting 5% of our total air pollution by burning 800 million gallons of gas.  Manicured turf grass lawns consume 3 trillion gallons of water a year.  

Approximately 20% of treated drinking water is used for outdoor lawns and landscaping.  Over 80% of Americans have lawns, covering 50 million acres of land.  Running a gas-powered lawn mower for 1 hour produces 11 times more emissions than the average new car in the same amount of time.   

The Lawn Future. 

It’s not necessary to remove every square inch of your lawn.  Lawns are nice.  However, think about spaces that you can replace lawn in your yard with ground covers or perennials or shrubs or with pollinator friendly flower gardens.   

Implement No Mow Spring or May.  Hold off mowing for as long as you can.  Mowing less equals less emissions which will decrease your carbon footprint while providing habitat for pollinators.  When you do mow, set your mower at the highest setting leaving your lawn at 3-4 inches in height.  You will use less water on your lawn and find that you need to mow less often.  I have experimented with this method the past 2 years and I have been amazed by how well this method works.   

Replace your gas-powered mower with a battery charged lawn mower.  Thanks to my daughter’s suggestion, I have used a battery powered mower the last 2 years.  These are very efficient, easy to use and little maintenance tools. 

Water deeply, only once per week, encouraging deeper more drought tolerant roots.  Use soaker or drip hoses which will deliver water to the root zone and prevent loss of water due to evaporation.  Where available, use rain barrels to collect water from downspouts rather than sending rainwater into drains and sewers. 

Do not use chemical fertilizers.   Not only are these pesticides killing our pollinators and polluting our waterways all the way to oceans, but chemical fertilizers cause grass lawns to burn in the heat thus needing watering more frequently.  By leaving the leaves in the Fall, as they decompose you have provided natural fertilizer-carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus- to your soil.  An additional light sprinkling of compost on your lawn in the Spring is all that is needed.  Plus, decomposed leaves add a layer of mulch to your grass, less weeds and lawns don’t dry out in the windy Spring weather. 

Las Vegas region offers us an inspiring approach.  Through voluntary action, education, pricing and enforcement, 170 million square feet of “non-functioning turf” has been removed from front yards, resorts, highway medians and golf courses.  This action has resulted in a 30% reduction in water consumption even though there has been an increase in population by half-million people. 

By: Marikay Shellman, BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024) 

Heather Holms, Biologist, conservationist, and Author presented an excellent discussion, Native bee specialists, plant hosts, threats and conservationfor the Best Practices for Pollinators Summit 2024.  I frantically took notes about the 6 bee families and the 20%-45% of native bees that are pollen and nectar specialists.  Many of these native bee specialists use only pollen and/or nectar from one species or genus of plants, Narrow Oligolecty.  Some, such as the bumblebee, are Polylecty, meaning they use pollen and /or nectar from more than 4 plant families.   Heather shared a list of native plants that serve specialists throughout the season. 

 Plants for Native Bee Specialist throughout the seasons: 

Spring 

Salix (Willow)- female uses nectar & male pollen 

Hydrophyllum (Waterleaf) 

Geranium maculation (Wild Geranium) 

Zizia (Golden Alexanders) carrot family 

Dogwood shrubs (Cornus, Coral Red, Red Osier, Artic Fire) 

Summer 

Physalis (Ground Cherry) tomatilla  

Dalea (Prairie Clover) 

Amorpha (Leadplant, False Indigo) 

Verbena, Vervain 

Lysimachia (Loosestrife) oil secreting glands attract Native Bees 

Monarda (Bergamot or Beebalm) stem nesting Native Bees 

Cirsuim (Thistle) 31 of oligolectic specialists need Native Thistle 

Rudbeckia (Gray-headed or Yellow Coneflower) 

Vernonia (ironweed) 

Cucurbita (Squash, pumpkin, melon) squash bee specialists nest 5” deep- NO TILL Helianthus (Sunflower) 

Autumn 

Bunch Grasses (Bluestem) Dianthiduim simile Native Bee nest at base  

Solidago and Euthamia (Golden rod) 3 species specific to nesting bees 

Symphyotrichum Eurybia (Aster) 3 species specific to nesting bees  Leave stem stubble of asters, bergamot, and beebalm. 

Plant micro-garden with native perennials inside of a container. 

Plant a shrubby hedgerow. 

Create a habitat to provide for birds by providing 2 trees.  This will give natural pest control by attracting barn swallows and red-winged blackbirds.

By: Marikay Shellman, BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024) 

Simple Acts:  Join us for Pulse of Earth Day April 22 at 5:30 MDT 

The Earth Day theme this year is Planet vs Plastic. The risk of microplastics to everyone’s health is alarming. This month’s ESD article will be sharing the extensive research byEARTHDAY.ORG. 

“Our reliance on plastics could be the biggest gamble in the story of human health, in history.  We are all ingesting and inhaling microplastics. They are everywhere. Are we just hoping they are safe, or is even the remotest possibility they might be toxic so terrifying, that we can’t contemplate it?” Kathleen Rogers, President, EARTHDAY.ORG 

Microplastics are a derivative of the combination of petroleum and over 10,000 chemical additives used to manufacture plastics. These tiny filaments of plastic- microplastics- are in our food (February BPW ESD newsletter article), the air we breathe, inside our homes, the water we drink, our clothes, in our soaps and toiletries, vitamin and medicine capsules, to name a few. There is a frightening in-depth study out, Babies vs Plastics, demonstrating that microplastics in babies’ feces is 10 times higher than that of adults. 90% of toys are made of plastic, and baby bottles, sippy cups, utensils, clothing are all made of plastic. 

Microplastics have been found to bioaccumulate in our major organs like the brain, kidney and liver, lung and heart tissue, urinary and gastrointestinal systems, and also in placentas and breast milk. Recent studies link diseases of the endocrine system and central nervous system including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Type 2 diabetes, infertility, and Parkinson’s to microplastics. Microwave heating in plastic containers releases the highest level of microplastics and nano-plastics, more than 4 million microplastics into a small bowl after 3 minutes of heating. 

Oil-based plastics make up 69% of the fabrics we wear, such as polyurethane, nylon, spandex.  The convenience of these synthetic materials is that they dry quickly, don’t need to be ironed and are water resistant. Every time we wash these synthetic textiles, they release thousands of microplastics into our water depositing 500,000 tons of microplastics into our oceans annually.  Of all the plastics we hear about polluting our oceans, synthetic clothing is responsible for 35%. 

While extremely harmful leads are being globally phased out, plastic production is increasing with over 390 million tons of plastic produced in 2021, doubling in the past 20 years. 99% of plastic is derived from petroleum. As we work to phase out the use of gas, oil and coal, the fossil fuel companies are rapidly increasing the production of plastics. 

How do we solve this microplastic problem?“Global intervention against the plastic crisis is needed now because the costs of failure to act will be immense.” Commission on Plastics and Human Health. 

1. EARTHDAY.ORG is asking that the Global Plastics Treaty, draft completion due December 2024, to include a call for 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040.  Currently this Treaty is addressing only plastic pollution. 

2. Science and industry are developing biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates and myceliumcomposite materials (grown on a mixture of sawdust and wheat bran). 

3. Greenwashing is a term with which we are all familiar. Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled despite the plastic industry’s misleading campaign that mass-scale recycling is ongoing. Because of the many different types of plastic, it is impossible to recycle plastic in one process like paper. Sorting and melting down plastic is energy intensive, emitting hazardous chemicals, using large amounts of water, and releasing microplastics directly into waterways. Recycled plastic costs more to produce than virgin plastic making it not cost effective. 

4. Legislative action against the use of single-use plastics needs to be top of list.

By: Marikay Shellman

BPW Colorado Virtual  Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024) 

Several articles are staring me in the face, “There’s a water crisis.  Why do we still have lawns?” and “You- yes, you!- can help the planet.  Start in your backyard.”  and “Lawmakers will push even harder to replace lawns” and “DurangoScape 2024 to focus on native plant benefits”.  An article on Douglas Tallamy’s book, “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Begins in Your Yard” caught my attention. 

The author believes that we everyday people can save the planet and support insects and birds by “ditching the pesticides and herbicides” and planting native species such as coneflowers, milkweed, and oaks.  78% of land in US is privately owned, therefore we must have buy-in from not just national and state parks, but also homeowner associations, homeowners, businesses, and public and school parks.  “Don’t worry about the whole Earth.  Worry about the piece of the Earth that you can influence.” Douglas W. Tallamy. 

We don’t need to rid of our lawns totally, just shrink them back by maybe reducing them in half.  Plan where you want to have a grassy area, for your dogs to roll in or for a sitting area.  Then transform the rest by planting native grasses, native bushes, and flowers.   

The largest irrigated crop in the United States is lawns devouring about 9 billion gallons of water per day, more than thirsty corn or soybeans.  Beyond the water lawns need, the millions of pounds of fertilizer and pesticides required to have that perfect lawn leach pollution not only into our neighbor’s yard but also into our waterways.   40 % of these chemicals use on American lawns are outlawed in other countries due to carcinogens.   

Do an online search for your local Botanical Garden, native plant societies or master gardeners.  The National Wildlife Federation has a native plant finder ( https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org).  Audubon has a native plants database (https://www.audubon.org/native-plants).  Homegrown National Park (https://homegrownnationalpark.org) has a Keystone Species list.  

By: Marikay Shellman BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024) 

Ways to get the word out on the environment on social media. 

By Susan E. Oser/Michigan Affiliate 

To get some advice and an idea on what we could do as a committee or in general, how we should get the word out on the environment on social media, Suzette Cotto, PR Chair was consulted for some basic ideas on what to do.  She was very helpful in brainstorming this article and thanks to her, I am hopeful that these ideas can help you as well in our committees or on your own social media posts. 

First, know what information you want to share.  With all the information out there concerning the environment, it’s best to put a focus on at least one thing that is prominent in the news or that one thing you really care about.  For example, right now, everyone is talking about microplastics.  With this focus, why not give your opinion on your experience on the matter?  Maybe you can discuss what people are saying about the news and who are downplaying the issue.  Interviewing someone and putting the interview on YouTube, snippets on YouTube shorts and TikTok and promoting that interview will drive traffic.   

Note:  If you are using video from another source for your posts, please ask for permission, especially if you are part of an organization trying to get the word out on the Internet. 

You might also want to make sure that when you post up about an issue that you give a reason why your audience should act.   Perhaps it’s an urgent matter, such as a petition that needs to be signed.  Maybe you want them to check out a video related to your post.  Perhaps you want to encourage interaction and conversation (if it is not too combative). 

Remember that no matter what you do, your posts should be short with references, keywords, and hashtags.  If you post a link that is too long, you can look for websites such as tinyurl.com to help you.  Sites like X (Twitter) are quite limited in the number of characters you should use.  So, be careful.  Most people do not have a big attention span, so the shorter the better. 

No matter what you are doing online, make sure to get online every day for a few minutes to at least an hour or so to see what topics you’ve posted have engaged your audience.  You do not want to stay on too long or get too overwhelmed.  Give yourself a break and take a breather if you must.  It’ll be good for your mental health and help curb any burnout you might be experiencing.   

To get a clearer idea of what posts are making waves and grabbing attention, check your analytics if you can see what topics are getting the most hits and find ways to keep that engagement going.  You might also want to consider what kind of audience you want to attract with your message.  Perhaps you have a connection with an organization that you might want to quote or repost your support of.  Sometimes you can gain attention and new followers that way. 

So, what are some things that you do now to get the word out about the environment?  Keep your eye on your news feeds.  If there is something you think your followers should know, just retweet it.  If you want to make a comment, just respond to it.   You can even do a search on a topic and see what comes up.  It is all up to YOU and what YOU are passionate about in relation to the environment. 

For example, on X (Twitter), if you click on Explore on the left side, you will see a search screen at the top where you can type in a topic or scroll through the For You, Trending, and News headings to see what’s going on and if anything on the environment pops up.  If not, just click on the search bar and type in a word or phrase you want to research. 

So, let’s go back to our earlier topic microplastics.  In the search button type out that term.   

You might see something like this:  

But then if you just click on the bar and hit return you can see all kinds of entries related to the highlighted key word of microplastics.  You can choose if you want to find them from the Top, Latest, People, Media, or Lists. Clicking on the Latest tab and scrolling down, this entry came up that you can click on directly: 

Clicking on the heart will like it, which is always a good idea to do.  You can also retweet/quote your thoughts and tag someone with a @ (for example @ (insert your state senator) ) so you can get the message out there.  It would also be a good idea to follow the poster since they put up such great information about the issue. 

Note that whatever you do online in the environmental spectrum, it needs to be respectful and engaging.   That’s not only how you gain followers, but you will get repeat responders getting involved in the conversation.  And who knows?  You might just inspire someone to quote you or get just as involved if not more so with an environmental cause. 

Please note that the ESD Committee will be hosting a special Earth Day event on April 22, 2024, at 5:30 MDT titled the Pulse of Earth Day.  It will be an interactive discussion about environmental awareness that has affected you and if anything has inspired you to act.    Please stay tuned for future updates and details and the date gets closer. 

 

 

 

By:  Marikay Shellman
BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024)

With all the weighty news of the world and climate crisis, gardening can bring emotional refuge and physical health. With January, the excitement of seed catalogues arrives with promise for the upcoming planting season. Research has found that the benefits of conservation in small spaces such as gardens have “real, quantifiable effects.” By restoring yards with native plants (https://www.nwf.org>nativeplantfinderand https://www.audubon.org>native-plants), researchers found that within just 3 years a large increase in both the diversity and abundance of invertebrates occurred. Having the goal of providing habitat for native bees, butterflies, and birds while growing vegetables and flowers will have the additional benefits of reducing water use on your lawn while maximizing climate benefits.

When ordering your seeds and plants, plan for flowers to bloom throughout the seasons. Springtime bloomers include yarrow, bluebells, penstemon. Summer has milkweed, flax primrose beebalm blossoming. Don’t forget those end of season flowers, blanket flower, goldenrod, asters. By allowing your plants to go to seed, you will provide food for birds throughout the fall. Sunflowers are the best as they provide

pollen and nectar for native bees and hummingbirds, are host plants for moths which are a declining pollinator species, in addition to food for birds.

Yes, we need to push for stronger legislation to protect biodiversity and natural lands and to change the way we farm, no-till, cover crops and little to no pesticides. Meanwhile we can add to our own peace of mind by planting gardens.

By:  Marikay Shellman,
BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024)

Happy New Year to all of our NFBPWC members! Time for those New Year’s resolutions. And to keep it easy, we are suggesting 12 Simple Solutions that address Climate Crisis from which you can choose, one from each month of 2023.

1. Join an environmental organization. Friends of the Earth (https://foe.org), 350 cofounded by Bill McKibben (https://350.org), Audubon Great Lakes (https://gl.audubon.org), 52 Climate Actions (https://www.52climateactions.com), The Nature Conservancy (https://nature.org), The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (https://xerces.org).

2. Reduce food waste. Make the freezer your best friend. (www.foodprint.org)

3. Prioritize sustainable development and poverty eradication by financing environmental justice. Join local and community-led fights.

4. Eat what is in season. Shop at Farmers Markets. Join Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). Choose organic.

5. No Mow Spring whether it be April, May or June. Don’t jump into spring clean-up. Re-think your lawn. (https://beecityusa.org>no-mow-may)

6. Educate yourself about water. The earth is running out of clean drinking water. Learn about the importance of protecting our rivers and streams, our wetlands, and our sustainable water supply. (https://tinyurl.com)

7. Curb your carbon emissions. Park your car and walk inside skipping the drive-thru. Avoid running late, you’ll burn less fuel. Park in the back of the parking lot instead of driving around and looking for the closest spot.

8. Be a “plastic-hater”.  Avoid the use of plastic whenever possible. “1 million plastic bottles are used around the world per minute… 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide per year.” (Greensanity Designs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v+7sjBbs3BOfY).

9. Become a backyard gardener. Home-grown food reduces carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels by reducing food packaging, refrigeration, and transportation. And no plastic packaging is required.

10. Use eco-friendly menstrual products. These products are free from toxins and   chemicals that harm our bodies and our environment.

11. Recycle the correct way. Don’t recycle anything smaller than a credit card. Empty, clean, and dry should be your household motto. When in doubt, throw it out.

12. Remember Nature Boy and his message of the “Earth Box’. Spread peace and love to the Earth. Treat earth like your own bed, keep it clean and tidy.

By: Marikay Shellman, BPW Colorado Virtual
Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024)

The Adventures of Nature Boy and how he helped the ESD Committee

Story written by Susan E. Oser

There once was a not-so-well-known superhero named Nature Boy.  He was a tall, slender man of 6ft 2in with dark hair, brown shoulders, and muscles like superman.  His mentor was the infamous Captain Planet that a lot of us remember from back in the 1990s or so.

He had not seen a lot of action lately as his time saving the planet was getting weary on him.  Almost every day he was busting someone for illegal dumping, hunting, and/or cleaning the water of something.  So, when Nature Boy got the call to help a small environmental committee on the Internet, he could not resist.  

It was a little environmental committee called the Environmental and Sustainable Development Committee from the National Business and Professional Women’s Club.  They were looking for help in spreading the message about the environment but could not think of an effective way to do it.   Nature Boy knew exactly who to talk to.   The old guy himself, Mr. St. Nick along with some help from his girl Mother Nature.

When Nature Boy travelled up to the North Pole, his trek was not too bad, especially with global warming on the rise.  However, at the same time, he wished he could’ve seen just a little bit more snow than he wanted.

Once he got up to the North Pole, he noticed that Santa needed a bit of environmental education on light pollution and a few other small things he could talk about with him…especially when it came to the new toys on the market that he didn’t feel were exactly environmentally friendly.

Nature Boy arrived in the North Pole area and walked towards the house in which he could smell cookies and hot chocolate emanating.  He walked up and rang the doorbell that sang the Jingle Bells song.  Within a few minutes, the door opened and a sweet old lady in a red dress and glasses opened and stepped forward.  It was Mrs. Claus.

Nature Boy was very grateful for the warm welcome.  He felt very cozy inside as he walked in, took off his coat and sat down by the fire. After about 10 minutes later, Santa came into the room, also served a few snacks by an elf that Nature Boy had not seen before along with Mrs. Claus who sat across from them.

“So, who is this strange person joining us today?”

“Allow me to introduce myself,” Nature Boy stood up.   My name is Sir Nature Boy and I come on behalf of a small environmental committee that needs some help to spread the message on the environment to kids and families around the world.”

“Oh!”  Santa exclaimed, “And what do I have to do with it?”

“Well, since you make gifts, and toys and things and the world look up to you,” Nature boy answered, “I thought you would help create something to get the message out.  Besides, there are a lot of people that are always asking you for things!”

“Well, that’s true.”

“And…instead of always making all these new shiny things, why not recycle or create something to show people how to recycle and make gifts!”

“But new is what I do!  And I don’t think I have time since it is so close to Christmas!”

“But dear,” Mrs. Claus said, “You know most parents can’t afford what the kids ask of you.  That’s why they hope to ask you, so you help them.”

“But won’t they be angry at me?  I sometimes get hate mail and must put them on the Naughty List.  I already have a list that’s as tall as me.”  Santa said.  He sounded a bit worried.

Nature Boy assured him, “Sir.  If you put a special message with the gift, along with a message from Miss Mother Nature, not only would it be a gift to the world, but also a gift to you!  I mean have you seen how smoggy the air is when you travel with your reindeer!  You would want some cleaner air to travel in during the night to keep you and the dear healthy.”

“That’s true,” Santa sat in contemplation, “And you said that you knew Mother Nature herself and she could give us a hand.”

“Sure thing!  Once we get our gift ideas together, I’ll give her a call.”

“Fine.  So where do we start?”

Nature Boy and Santa sat up all night talking about this special environmental gift.  Twinkles, one of Santa’s elves was summoned to sit down and take notes.  He was dressed in a 3-piece green suit and wore thick red glasses.

As Nature Boy and Santa chatted, they were braining storming a lot of ideas over hot chocolate and cookies.  Nature Boy mentioned how Santa could create recycled wrapping paper instead of using shiny, new non-environmentally friendly wrapping paper, as well as the light pollution that he first noticed when he stepped in the realm of the North.  It was an eye-opening education for Santa.

When the project got underway, Santa was a bit skeptical, but when he saw how the product came together, he realized how precious a gift it was going to be.  Mother Nature was contacted to write a special message and after a few days, it was sent.  When Santa read it, he had a tear in his eye and decided that he too would put a message in the box as well.

When Nature Boy attended the next ESD meeting, he did a show and tell of the “Earth Box”.  It was a shoebox wrapped in a used magazine.  Inside, there was a mask made from a handkerchief, a small bunny named from an old rag, a painted jar with instructions inside for how it could be used (coffee storage, egg mixer), and a reindeer made from used socks.  There were also two messages inside.  One from Santa and one from Mother Nature.   

The ESD Committee was pleased.  They thanked Nature Boy for his help, and a few days later they received their own “Earth Boxes.”  Each member found their own special use for the jar.  They also decided to share the messages from Mother Nature and Santa that were given to them.  These messages are below:

Mother Nature’s message:

If I were you, I’ll treat the earth like my own bed.

Make sure it’s clean and tidy, yes that’s what I said.

There’s a hole in the ozone and like your favorite sheet,

You need to hold it tight, so we won’t lose or gain any heat.

Protect the wilderness and give it care.

Don’t mess it up, like it as your hair.

This is my advice, spread it across the land.

Before everyone dies, and the world disbands.

Santa’s message: 

My dear children and families around the world.  I never realized how much the Earth needs our care until I met a special friend.  He taught me about how I should really look around me and be careful about my travels so I can be safe to drop off your gifts to you.  I didn’t realize that I do have to wear a mask as I travel through the air to some of your homes.  A few of my reindeer always get sick for some reason when I return from my travels…and now I know.  I also didn’t realize that I can see the stars more and I don’t need so many lights to be shiny outside.  The stars are their own Christmas lights.  

And there is so much more that I have learned.  And because of this, the “Earth Box” was created for you to enjoy and to share with your friends and neighbors.  Just as we spread peace and love for each other, we should also spread peace and love to the Earth and our homes.  

May our Earth be around for years to come and for me to visit every Christmas!

Enjoy your gift and have a Merry Christmas and other Happy Holidays!

By: Laurie Dameron
BPW Colorado Chair of Environmental and Sustainable Development

Dear Business and Professional Women colleagues,

As of November, I have officially retired from my position of Chair of Environmental and Sustainable Development for BPW Colorado.  It’s truly been an honor and privilege to serve BPW since 2015.

 

I have learned so very much as a member and this position and have so much gratitude for being able to represent our phenomenal organization in Cairo, Egypt at the 2017 BPW International Congress. Also, I got to do a cruise with BPW in the Caribbean and attended other conferences over the years and met so many incredible women!

It’s possible I’ve found a replacement for this position, and I will keep you updated on that. 

My final “Green News,” “Simple Action” is this: 

Raise your environmental awareness - Every time you buy something and every time you throw something away - think about where it is coming from and where is it going. 

YOU ARE A PART OF THE SOLUTION!

To sign up for Laurie’s monthly music and “Green News,” write to WindchimeL@aoL.com

Or visit www.LaurieDameron.com

Please visit and LIKE https://www.facebook.com/WhatCanIDoSpaceshipEarth