8 Shades Of Green

Eco Tips

One of the best ways to preserve state parks is to adopt a lifestyle that respects the environment. Follow these tips during the trip and home to reduce their dependence on natural resources, you save energy and money. For more great ideas visit our website: www.parkvisitor.com

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Let the sun provides power! Solar energy can be used to cook meals in the field, make a jug sun tea, heat water for a shower or turn on your cell phone or laptop. Invest in a solar charger and research of solar equipment for camping.

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Repel mosquitoes naturally. Keep these teethers away without using toxic pesticides. If you are using barbecue, throw some sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitoes (which smells great too)! Natural products as Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent "containing eucalyptus oil to prevent mosquito bites twice as long as soybeans and citronella-based products.

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Use less energy, get more light. LED (Light-Emitting-Diode) bulbs use 50-80% less energy bulbs. than incandescent bulbs LEDs provide a lifetime of 50,000 + hours compared to 8,000 hours for CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs and 1,500 hours for a incandescent bulb. An LED flashlight, lantern or flashlight can run 100 + hours on a battery pack that makes them ideal for camping or in an emergency kit at home.

Be smart battery. Each year, Americans throw away nearly 180,000 tons of batteries. Use rechargeable batteries such as lithium or NiCad. All batteries should be recycled not thrown in the trash. To obtain a recycling kit at home to go to www.batteryrecycling.com or contact your local city or county website for the recycling of places close to home.

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Create organic ant barrier. Form a line of natural defense against pesky ants with slices of cucumber, pepper, citrus oil (soaked on a piece of string), lemon juice, cinnamon or cloves to create an ant-proof barrier. Or, spray the ants with a little soapy water, keep them safely at bay.

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Conserve fuel while the more fun. When traveling to state parks, carpool with friends and family. Explore on foot instead of car you have more fun, save money on fuel, burn some calories, and connect with nature a new way.

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Save some trees with these easy ideas. 1.5 hectares per second are lost due to deforestation and development. Replace paper towels / napkins. Choose recycled paper. (Note: The welcome kit is printed on recycled paper.) Use a camp stove instead of building a fire.

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Green your computer. Fillings jacket, fleece, backpack and tent fabrics produced from fossil fuel byproducts that are 500 years + to decompose. Choose your location: bamboo fabric, hemp, wool, recycled plastic Recycled rubber-soled boots, and organic cotton.

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Be water wise. The average American uses 80 gallons of water per day. Reuse towels, take shorter showers, and never leave keys in operation. Limit landscape irrigation.

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Court the lawn less. Americans use 40 million lawn mowers to tame your lawn. Each gives a value of 11 vehicles "of pollutants per hour.

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Reducing waste by thinking about the future. When ordering food, avoid taking any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. Look for products with minimal packaging. Buy an ice cream cone instead of a cup.

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Simplify your life. Only keep belongings that you use / enjoy on a regular basis. Donate, sell or recycle the rest. By reducing what you own, you create less waste in the future.

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Shop smart and BYOB ... bring your own bag! Almost one trillion plastic shopping bags are used worldwide each year, with millions to end up as trash. Shopping bag, or an increase in purchases, carry a reusable bag.

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On Progress? Bring a cup for use. "Bring a travel mug with you to carry out beverages. Help reduce waste 16 billion cups non-recyclable disposable coffee that Americans use each year.

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Each account can be. Recycling a single can aluminum saves enough energy to make 20 more cans. When traveling, if you do not have recycle bins, pack your recyclables home with you.

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Take a moment to unwind. Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, turn off the cell phone chargers and other cables when not in use, leaving cables plugged into the power draw and waste of energy.

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Be an eco-smart traveler. Â Reduce your carbon footprint when you travel. Take public transport. Rent a Hybrid. Or, if you must fly, buy carbon credits to offset their impact.

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For more cool and fun tips State Park:

www.parkvisitor.com

About the Author

Shari Boyer, CEO
Shari has an extensive background in sales, marketing, and product management including Brand Management positions at Nestle and Proctor & Gamble. Shari was one of the initial employees of Imagitas and during her 7 year tenure she helped forge their strong relationship with the U.S. Postal Service and started their sales force. Shari has a BA in Economics and an MA in Sociology both from Stanford University.