Try out a color that's different from the same old pink, red and white this year.
I was astonished last night as I watched the nightly news report that Americans spend more than $18 billion on Valentine’s Day annually! It made me think about how far that money could go if put to use in conservation projects. My challenge for you this year is to take part of what you’d spend on Valentine’s Day and make it count for the environment, or your favorite animal.
Here are some suggestions:
- Buy a Zoo membership as a Valentine’s Day gift for your family. Your support of the Zoo not only helps out animals, but visiting frequently is a great way for your family to learn about the animals and what we can do to help them. Not to mention it’s the best value in town when you take advantage of the reciprocity with other Zoos.
- Adopt an animal! Seneca Park Zoo has options to adopt your favorite resident here. But if your sweetheart’s passion is sea turtles, gorillas or great white sharks, click here for more adoption options.
- Plant a tree! Trees help by producing oxygen to breath as well as habitat for local animals.
- Buy organic and fair trade chocolates. Conventionally grown cacao is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops grown today. Read about a sweet promotion the Zoo has with chocolate maker Madecasse through the month of February here.
- Purchase local wine. There is no shortage of local wines in western NY. Improve the greenness of your wine purchase with organic wine, and better yet, from a winery that is also FSC-certified (no wild trees are harmed in the production of cork and paper labels). Check out wines from Four Chimneys.
- Make cards and decorations from recycled items. Spread the love in your home by turning scrap paper or junk mail into a festive Valentine’s Day garland! Use paper doilies and baker’s twine, along with old pieces of scrapbooking paper, to create a fun, heart-shaped garland that’s sure to get the whole family in the spirit. But don’t restrict yourself to standard pink-and-red garlands. Make “unconventional” hearts from junk mail, food boxes and magazine pages. If store cards are a must, look for ones made from recycled content paper.
- Eat at a locally-owned restaurant. Look for one that serves locally-grown, organic produce and locally-raised, free-range meats whenever possible.
- Instead of roses, opt for a native perennial plant that can be put outside in the spring. Native perennials provide food and habitat for many local species.
Hope these tips help you on your way to a greener Valentine’s Day!
- Tina Crandall-Gommel, Conservation Education Coordinator
