On July 28th of each year, is World Nature Conservation Day. While there are multiple green holidays, what is this one about? World Nature Conservation Day “recognizes that a healthy environment is a foundation for a stable and productive society and to ensure the well-being of present and future generations.” This day also reminds us that we must all band together to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage our natural resources. Similar to Earth Day, World Nature Conservation Day is attended to bring awareness and education to the public about protecting our environment.

Just to be clear, there is a difference between conservation and preservation. Conservation seeks the sustainable use of nature by humans, preservation means protecting nature from human use. The proper definition of conservation is (according to the USDA): The protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them. “Conservation is generally held to include the management of human use of natural resources for current public benefit and sustainable social and economic utilization.”

To start out, there are several ways that you can get involved in nature preservation:

1. Connect with nature!
2. Take a trip to one of your local parks/nature reserves.
3. Join a conservation club or eco-program.
4. Participate in nature-focused science initiatives.
5. Raise awareness on social media and share the facts!

Next, you can contribute to the conservation of natural materials in the home. Here are 25 ways that you can contribute to conserving natural resources in the home:

1. Only wash full loads of laundry.
2. Turn off the water faucet while brushing your teeth.
3. Install water-efficient appliances and showerheads.
4. Harvest rainwater.
5. Replace your lightbulbs with LEDs.
6. Do your best to plan meals in order to reduce food waste.
7. Only buy food on your shopping list.
8. Start a compost pile.
9. Reuse water bottles and plastic bags.
10. Close shades during the daytime.
11. Use fewer straws, plasticware, paper plates, and paper towels.
12. Switch to online bill pay.
13. Donate boxes from online shopping or moving.
14. Unplug chargers and appliances when not using them.
15. Recycle according to local guidelines.
16. Turn off the lights when you leave your home.
17. Dependent on heat, leave your windows open instead of running fans or air conditioning.
18. Eat less meat!
19. Donate old tools, appliances, and equipment.
20. Plant a garden to harvest your own food.
21. Fill a bucket while showering and use it to water plants.
22. Consider reducing car usage: Use carpools, public transportation, walk, or bike when you can.
23. Opt-out of junk mail subscriptions.
24. Shop yard, garage, estate sales, and thrifts stores.
25. Hire an eco-friendly hauling service to remove junk from your home.

If you’re interested in other ways to help reduce the negative impact on the environment, here are some articles:

• How to Start Your Home Garden
• Ways to Improve Water Efficiency at Home
• Sign Up for Your Local Renewable Energy Program!
• How to Start Composting
• Recycling Made Easy
• 4 Skills Kids Can Learn Through Waste Management at Home
• How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

Earthwise Hauling is dedicated to creating a more eco-friendly and sustainable Southern California. Earthwise Hauling serves the Long Beach area, as well as the majority of Los Angeles and Orange County. We are also proud sponsors of the Rivers and Lands Conservancy. The Rivers and Lands Conservancy “connects the community to natural, wild, and open spaces of Southern California through land conservation, stewardship, and education.”