Six Things Birders Can Do to Help the Earth

Since today is Earth Day, many newspapers and websites are publishing lists of things that people can do to help the environment. Birders can do plenty of things to help the birds we love and reduce our contribution to global warming. Here are a few.

1. If you own property, convert as much as you can to wildlife habitat, following the suggestions of Audubon at Home and the National Wildlife Federation. At the very least, do not use artificial fertilizers and pesticides or overwater your lawn. Runoff from these chemicals harms our bays and estuaries and has been a major cause of the Chesapeake Bay's decline.
   
2. Drink shade coffee instead mass-market coffee to preserve winter habitat for migratory birds. (See the informative Coffee and Conservation blog for more about this.)
3. Become politically active. Birder's World suggests contacting legislators about some current issues, including the destructive border wall. Get involved in local environmental issues as well.
   
4. Reduce electric power consumption. Much of our electricity comes from burning coal, the extraction of which destroys habitat.
5. Bird locally and use public transportation where possible.
6. Carry your purchases in reusable bags instead of plastic bags.

If you are looking for other options, see this sustainability primer or the newly revised 50 Simple Things.