Today is Earth Day 2008!

Today April 22 is Earth Day. This is a day to recognize and raise awarness about our planet and how we can help. The organization "The Nature Conservatory's motto is " Plant a Billion Trees". You can donate one dollar which will help to plant one tree in Brazil to help restore the forest there. Which in turn helps reverse Global warming and filters our air. To find out how you can help by donating one dollar go here. http://www.plantabillion.org/

Another great idea is to plant at least one tree on your property. I love to drive through the country club area of town because of all the huge trees. These were planted back in the 50s and now give shade and beauty to the streets of Wichita Falls.

We planted 3 trees in our yard a few years ago and I love to look out our sons 2nd story window into the trees (which are really big now!) and see the Robins nests with their famous Blue eggs, and watch the birds and just enjoy the leaves. I remember when we moved here 13 1/2 years ago and my husband called this area "SUNSTROKE ACRES". LOL! I remember as a child learning that plants give off oxygen and breath carbon dioxide and we do the opposite and being amazed. When I go to New York and see the concrete jungle from my airplane and then there is this beautiful patch of green. Central Park.

That beautiful rectangle of green surrounded by all the concrete buildings is like an oasis in the desert. A welcome sight! In my humble opinion, We need plants, trees and flowers to feel alive and to reconnect with our maker.

Trees also help to keep your Electric bills down lower and raise the value of your home. Plant one this weekend! Or two or three! On the web site you can also take a quiz which will show you what your "CARBON FOOTPRINT" is on the earth. Thats how much carbon your family puts out into the world each year. Ours was a little lower than the national average. Doing simple things like changing out all the light bulbs in your home to the low energy bulbs makes a huge difference! (They cost a little more, but pay for themselves over and over!)

Changing the Air filter in your Homes AC unit monthly will lower your carbon footprint and keeping your tires filled with air to the proper PSI saves gas! Lots of little things like that make a huge difference.

Heres the link for the "Offset your Co2 Emissions and your impact on the planet. http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/activities/art23932.html Its very insightful.

Also if you arnt taking advantage of the citys recycle program contact them. You can get a special trash container. Its a good way to help the landfills and to "go green" and leave a better earth for our children and grandchildren and thier children, etc...

Happy Earth day!