20. Engage!
I will help an environmental organization and take a recommended action for the earth.
neighborhood clean-up projects
plantings
trail maintenance
beach cleanups
advocacy (testimony, written comments, making calls)
monetary contributions
other volunteering (events, office, etc.)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
This website offers actions that we can take individually to help our planet. In addition to individual action, however, collective action is also needed.
Through research, education, organizing, communication, advocacy, land protection activities, litigation and community events, environmental non-profit organizations defend and support our earth every day by facilitating collective effort. To effectively engage as citizens, we need funded and empowered environmental NGOs to help us learn about threats and opportunities regarding our communities, our state, our nation and the planet – and help us make a difference on important laws, policies, and group activities.
Few of us can devote all of our working time to protecting the environment, but through contributions, and/or volunteering, and/or taking advocacy actions, we can support the dedicated staff of environmental NGOs that do, to really make our voices heard.
TAKING ACTION!
Participate with local nonprofits:
Volunteer: Volunteer to work on a clean-up, or planting, or trail maintenance project, or to help with an event or other need. Here are just a few options: Los Padres Forest Watch; Santa Barbara Channelkeeper; Environmental Defense Center; Your Children's Trees; Community Environmental Council. All these groups have virtual booths at the SB Earth Day Festival - you can find them at SBEarthDay.org
Join, Learn and Advocate: It's easy to sign-up electronically with an environmental NGO and get on their email list. Then you will receive timely and significant information about issues, advocacy opportunities, events and more. Here are some of the local and national groups that do a great job of engagement: Sierra Club Los Padres Chapter; Environmental Defense Center; Los Padres Forest Watch; Santa Barbara Channelkeeper; Santa Barbara Audubon Society; Get Oil Out; Earthjustice; NRDC; Defenders of Wildlife; Oceana; Friends of the Earth; Community Environmental Council
Contribute: Whether you can contribute $10 or $1,000, everything helps. Pick one or more environmental organizations you care about and GIVE!
ADDITIONAL MOTIVATION THOUGHTS
We need good policies, laws, court decisions and joint action to protect our planet. Supporting the work of environmental nonprofits is essential for this.
