Many plants we grow are not native to our area which animals and insects don't know. For example, the popular rose is originally from Europe and Asia. The Midwest's climates include woodlands, wetlands, prairies, savannas, ravines and bluffs, and dunes. When spring arrives and planting season begins, consider planting plants that are designed for your local area. A great suggestion is prairie species!

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Check out Prairie Nursey for an expansive site for information and purchasing prairie plants.

In association with helping provide needs for our wildlife, we must clean up our immense amount of trash that sadly doesn't end up in the landfill. There are always plenty available to join in your area, especially during the spring and the summer! Check out your local news to see about any upcoming events. If you are interested in starting one, it's quite simple! You could do a highway clean-up (such as adopting a highway), a river clean-up, or another local recreational area clean-up. 

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For resources on these cleanups, click these links:

• Green Tips: How to organize a community cleanup

• American Rivers

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Large cooperation's and industries contribute the most in carbon emissions. By purchasing and supporting your local industries, you not only helping your community but contributing less to theirs and your emissions. Shopping could include buying from local stores, dining at local restaurants, and adding yourself to a local farm's CSA (Community Supported Agriculture where you are delivered produce from the farm's yield).

Every animal is essential to it's ecosystem. Due to many environmental problems including climate change, the species most important to our environment are being effected notably. It's important that as humans, who are putting a significant impact to wildlife, it is our duty to return the favor. Below lists a few DIY projects you can do to help your local animals. 

Projects Ideas:

• Composting

• Worm Farms

• Bird Feeders

• Bat Houses

• Owl Houses

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For more projects, check out this PDF from Youth Service America. 

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Everything mentioned in the Lower Your Carbon Footprint page doesn't have to be just you. You can make an even bigger impact by encouraging your family, friends, business, school, club/organization, and place of worship to adopt these practices!

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For advice and opportunities to get help for transitioning to green energy, use the sources below:

• How to Help Green Your Town

• 42 Ways to Green Your Neighborhood

• Scholarships - Solar Energy International

• Wisconsin Power Payback Program

• Grow Solar

• Solar on Schools

Climate change not the only environmental issue that is effecting the Midwest. There are plently of others such as invasive species, pollution, and lowered biodiversity. One of the key actions in combating climate is perserving and creating wildlife habitats. Therefore, always keep yourself updated on how you can protect your local area. For instance, making sure to dispose of any lake material when leaving the water to avoid spreading invasive species. 

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Click the links below for your state's DNR website:

• Illinois

• Indiana

• ​Iowa

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Ohio

• Wisconsin