Once we’ve gotten past the festive period and marked Valentine’s Day, the next big thing we’re looking at is the arrival of Spring.
This is the moment when the Earth comes back to life and nature is aesthetically at its best, thanks to the blossoming flowers, lush greenery, pleasant weather, and the beautiful melodies from birds.
But just how can you join hands with nature to make our planet an even more beautiful place at this time? What can you do for yourself and the Earth as a whole during this season?
Well, if that’s the question lingering in your mind, we’ve got you covered today.
Here are 15+ sustainable activities that give back to nature while you engage and rejuvenate yourself.
Read: 13+ Simple Tips To Think And Act Like a Minimalist
1. Plant a Garden
Who doesn’t love the picturesque view of a blooming garden? Imagine creating a park-grade landscape right from your backyard. That’s not just eco-friendly but also an exciting scene to behold!
So, as you figure out how you can make this Spring count, consider beginning a garden. Plant flowers or begin vegetable gardens or fruit orchards depending on your locality and what matters most to you.
Gardening won’t just contribute to making the planet healthier and beautiful: it’s beneficial for your physical and mental health too — according to experts.
Physically, gardening serves as a form of exercise, improves your Vitamin D exposure, and strengthens your muscles. Mentally, it’s a great way to avoid or reduce signs of depression and anxiety.
2. Provide Nesting Materials To Birds
As winter rolls around, our avian friends begin to repair or make fresh nesting places. And trust me, even with the amusing dexterity of their beaks, it’s not an easy task for them.
How about lending a hand by bringing the materials they need closer to the site? It won’t take you much effort but it will make their work a whole lot easier.
Birds typically use twigs, leaves, feathers, and similar soft materials for their nest. In your leisure time, consider bringing these materials closer to their reach.
It will save them the time and energy they’d otherwise need to fly around in search of these items.
3. Begin a Bird Feeder
Want to bring the alluring beauty of birds into your home? You can do that by beginning a bird-feeding practice.
Birds of all sizes and colors will appreciate the gesture, and in return, you’ll get to take in their peaceful melodies.
But before you do, remember that this is a risky practice. For one, it may attract bird predators and make them easy targets. This could also affect chickens and other birds you’re keeping at home.
Also, a backyard bird feeder can simplify the spread of diseases like flu, so you may need to work with a professional to avoid this.
And, of course, if you’re keeping chickens in your backyard, ensure that they don’t share the food or water points to avoid spreading diseases.
4. Take on a Sustainable Spring Cleaning
Spring is often associated with a thorough cleaning and decluttering of our homes. But how about we take it a notch higher by making it sustainable?
The good thing about sustainable Spring cleaning is that you don’t need to spend as much as you do for regular cleaning.
You only need natural products like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. They work wonders and cause no harm to the environment.
5. Try a Nature Bathe
How about traveling to a forest and fully immersing yourself in nature? Imagine spending minutes or hours around trees without a phone, music, or internet — just the whistling birds and the pulsing chirp of crickets!
Isn’t that a beautiful and sustainable way to connect with nature? It’s a therapeutic Spring activity that will also help you appreciate nature, its beauty, and why we need to take good care of our planet.
6. Have a Nature Walk
Imagine spending time walking through the woods or mountains, admiring the trees and wildflowers — or maybe taking in tangible scents of nature.
Nature walks are a great way to bond with nature at this time. You’ll also get to take some beautiful photographs that you can keep for memories and share with your friends.
7. Repair Your Electronics
Just realized that the electric kettle you bought some years ago mysteriously stopped working? Maybe your TV antenna is broken, and you can no longer catch your favorite shows.
Don’t rush to dump them just yet! As you look for sustainable things to do this Spring, you can consider creating time to repair them — especially if you love fixing things around.
Thankfully, the internet provides hundreds of tutorials on how to fix common household items on your own.
Repairing isn’t just fun and money-saving; it’s also good for the planet — especially at a time when the world is estimated to produce about 50 million tons of e-waste each year.
However, repair only applies to products that have outlived their warranty period. If your damaged product is still under warranty, use the right channel to seek repair services. Otherwise, you may void the warrant.
8. Donate
How about spending some days in Spring to touch the lives of the people through donations? There’s so much that you can give out, from old clothes and household items to electronics, or even your time.
It all depends on what’s redundant in your life. What’s been lying idle in your space for months or days could become someone else’s treasure — and save the planet some waste.
Unsure where or how to donate? It’s simple: Start by contacting local charities or organizations that accept donations.
Donating will not only help you impact people’s lives; it will also create a sense of satisfaction and give you inner joy.
9. Do Some Bike Rides
Do you know that biking is a great way to reduce body fat and reduce chances of cardiovascular diseases and early death? That’s according to an article by Havard University, School of Public Health.
And let’s be honest — who doesn’t find paddling through nature fun and refreshing?
So, how about biking for sustainability this Spring? It will save you fuel expenses while reducing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Plus, it’s an excellent way to explore your local area and discover hidden gems.
If biking is not your cup of tea, you can consider walking or using public transport more often. Both are sustainable ways to move about this Spring.
10. Make Brooms From Natural Materials
As the birds are collecting materials for their nests, how about joining them in collecting materials to make brooms?
Nature is so rich, and it provides us with so much that we often overlook. But did you know that you can make brooms from natural materials like tree branches and dried grass?
It’s an excellent way to reduce plastic consumption while getting a unique broom that connects you even more with nature. Plus, it’s a fun activity for kids too! You can involve them in gathering the materials and making the brooms.
11. Start a Compost
As an environmentalist, you already know why composting is good for the planet. So, as you create a to-do list for this winter, why not incorporate composting?
It isn’t a complicated process, but it will save you from having to work with chemical fertilizers if you’re also into gardening.
Plus, composting is an eco-friendly way of handling food waste that would have otherwise ended up in landfills, producing harmful methane gas.
And if you’re new to composting and don’t know where to begin, don’t worry! There are numerous resources available online to guide you through the process and help you find the best method that works for you.
12. Visit a Gamepark
While the debate on whether zoos are good or bad for the planet remains, one sustainable way to mark Spring is by visiting a game park.
There, you get to see and learn more about different animals, their habitats, unique characteristics, and other useful information. You may even get to see some rare species depending on where you visit.
This visit will allow you to connect with nature in an intriguing way, learn, and teach you to appreciate our ecosystem. This will stir up a sense of responsibility to preserve and protect the planet for future generations.
13. Try Photography
If you cherish moments spent behind the lens, how about immersing yourself in photography this Spring? Photography helps us appreciate the people, places, and things around us while capturing beautiful moments we can treasure for years.
You can use this opportunity to document the changing seasons, learn new photography skills, and capture nature’s beauty in its purest form. Plus, you’ll get some exercise as you walk around looking for the perfect shot.
And, of course, be sure to capture some nature shots while you’re at it! Whether it’s a stunning landscape, an intricate flower, or a curious animal, nature provides endless possibilities for photography.
14. Watch Documentary
If you don’t mind keeping your eyes on the screen this summer, you can try catching some environmental documentaries.
These documentaries are an excellent way to learn and understand more about various environmental issues, their impacts, and potential solutions. They also provide a great conversation starter when discussing sustainability with friends or family.
Channels like National Geographic, NatGeo Wild, Netflix, and YouTube offer a wide selection of documentaries to choose from. So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and get ready to learn more about our planet this Spring.
15. Volunteer at Local Environmental Organizations on World’s Earth Day
April 22nd is just around the corner. What better way to mark this day than volunteering at local environmental organizations?
These organizations are always in need of an extra hand, and Spring is the perfect time to lend yours. You can participate in activities like tree planting, and beach cleanups, or even help spread awareness about sustainability practices.
Not only will you be helping the planet, but you’ll also get to meet like-minded individuals and possibly learn more about sustainability initiatives in your community. Plus, it’s a great way to give back and feel connected to the Earth.
16. Go on a Camping Trip
Disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature by going on a camping trip this Spring.
Camping allows you to fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You can sleep under the stars, cook over an open fire, and explore your surroundings without any distractions.
Camping also promotes sustainable living by encouraging minimalism and relying on nature for resources. You can practice “Leave No Trace” principles, such as properly disposing of waste and respecting wildlife, to minimize your impact on the environment.
Plus, it’s a great way to unwind and destress while enjoying the beauty of Spring in all its glory. So gather some friends or family, pack your tents and sleeping bags, and embark on an eco-friendly camping adventure this Spring.
Read: 11+ Items To Get Rid of For a Minimalist Living Room
17. Incorporate Sustainable Activities into Your Daily Routine
Lastly, one of the most effective ways to promote sustainability is by incorporating it into our daily lives.
From using reusable water bottles and bags to supporting local businesses and reducing meat consumption, small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference in reducing our ecological footprint. It’s essential to remember that every action, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable future for our planet.
So this Spring, challenge yourself to find new ways of incorporating sustainability into your daily routine.
Whether it’s taking public transportation or biking instead of driving, using eco-friendly cleaning products, or reducing food waste by composting, every effort counts towards creating a healthier and greener.
