Restore natural ecosystems

Avoid products driving deforestation

Why? The world has lost one-third of its forests since the ice age and more than half the world’s land-based species of animals, plants, and insects make their homes in forests.

Resources: Global Forest Coalition The Big Four Drivers of Deforestation: Beef, Soy, Wood and Palm Oil, Ethically-sourced chocolate, How to cut out palm oil – not trees | The Wildlife Trusts

Stop junk mail

Why? Junk mail can be an aggravating waste of resources, but you can take control and stop junk mail. In fact, you can even be specific about the kinds of mail you want to stop receiving.

Resources: How to Stop Junk Mail | Consumer Advice, DMA Choice Mail Preference Service, PaperKarma - The Stop Junk Mail App

Buy recycled content paper products

Why? A simple switch to 100 percent recycled toilet paper and facial tissue can prevent clearcutting that is devastating an entire ecosystem and its people.

Resources: Toilet Paper Is Driving the Climate Crisis with Every Flush, 'The Issue with Tissue' Trailer (video)

Learn about carbon farming

Why? As many as 35 agricultural practices – when scaled up – can draw large amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere.

Resources: Carbon Cycle Institute, Discovering the soil’s solution to global climate change, Carbon Farming at Home - Daily Acts

Learn about fire ecology

Why? First used by indigenous communities, prescribed burns during safe conditions help ecosystems to thrive. Learn more from their worldview and experience with fire ecology and management.

Resources: Fire, Forests, and Our Lands: An Indigenous Ecological Perspective - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly, Fire Ecology - Ecological Society of America (PDF), Fire Ecology | Project Regeneration, Fire Forward - Audubon Canyon Ranch

Learn the local bird calls

Why? Today, you have the benefit of a wide range of resources to help you learn local bird calls.

Resources: Your Guide to the Audubon Bird Guide App | Audubon, Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab on the App Store, Birding Quiz, Guide to North American Birds | Audubon

Identify local wildflowers

Why? Appreciating wildfires' beauty is wonderful, and being able to identify it somehow adds to the experience.

Resources: North California Wildflowers on the App Store, Pl@ntNet on the App Store, A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist, Wildflowers in Your Parks | East Bay Parks, East Bay Native Plant Species

Buy organic produce

Why? Buying organic benefits your health, workers, and the environment.

Resources: Behind the Organic Food Label - Alameda Backyard Growers (video), Organic Produce – Alameda Natural Grocery, Going Organic: Why it’s Worth it for Your Neighbors, Animals, and the Planet as a Whole - Center for Environmental Health