The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The holidays aren’t far off, but it’s never too late to make them as environmentally responsible as possible. Think that sounds like a dreary task? It’s anything but. Having a “green” holiday is rewarding. It will bring you closer to your community while giving back not only to your friends, neighbors and family but to the Earth—for the good of all of us.

“You can give a gift and give the Earth a break at the same time,” said Nature Conservancy spokesman Steve Long.

• Choose a real, locally grown tree—real Christmas trees are better for the planet than fakes. To boost your sustainability, choose a potted tree that you can plant come spring or a native species like balsam fir from a local farm. Some farms now even offer organically grown trees.
• Recycle your tree after the holidays—across the state, community groups and town and city recycling departments collect trees to create mulch for spring planting.
• Think natural and local and Do It Yourself—DIY—when decorating. Pinecones, acorns and gingerbread cookies cut into shapes make great ornaments. Soup cans pierced with clever patterns make welcoming holiday candle luminaries.
• Truly be “home for the holidays” by giving a gift farm share membership or simply buying organic and locally produced food.
• Give the gift of nature. Schedule a family trip to a special place near your home. There’s no better reminder of why conservation matters for nature—and people!
• DIY gifts are also great way to give responsibly and have a lot of fun doing it.
• If you’re not the crafty type, support a local artisan. Check out the Conservancy’s online gift guides for lots more green giving ideas.
• Think reusable when wrapping your holiday gifts—newspapers, shopping bags, maps and fabric remnants make for beautiful, customized gift wrapping.
• Deck the halls with LED! Solid-state lighting could cut U.S. lighting energy usage by one-quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. These days you don’t have to go far to find it.
• Adopt an acre in Maine at http://adopt.nature.org/you/ and help protect lands and waters right here at home.