Take Action, and Start Something Good!

With the event of the spring season comes a slew of "Save the Planet" earth day events with dozens of opportunities for you to get involved.  So why don't you?

The National Geographic 2010 Greendex report came out recently.  Do you want to hear something sad?  The majority of Americans don't care about their environment, and have no desire to improve it.  Here's a quote from the report:

"Compared to the attitude of the average consumer in other countries, Americans express less concern about environmental problems, and increasingly consider the seriousness of environmental issues to be exaggerated (31 percent, up from 25 percent). In particular, Americans are less worried than most about climate change or global warming (45 percent versus the 17-country average of 64 percent), water pollution (54 percent versus 66 percent on average), and loss of species and habitat (48 percent versus 59 percent on average). Consistent with this relatively low concern, Americans are less likely to think that environmental problems are having a negative impact on their health today (26 percent versus 39 percent on average) or that global warming will worsen their way of life within their own lifetime (32 percent versus 45 percent on average). However, the majority of Americans believe that the typical lifestyle in the USA is not sustainable for future generations (70 percent), though they are more optimistic than others that individuals can improve the environment—25 percent disagree that society’s impact is so severe that there is little that individuals can do about it versus 17 percent on average."

That's not you and me they are talking about, right?  No way!  Then why aren't we doing something?  Anything!  

Here's my challenge to you... Go to one (1) clean up event in your area.  Just one!  Imagine if 10% of the 310 million people in America committed to going to one clean up event. 31 Million people cleaning up the debris would make a huge dent in the illegal dumping problem!

Can't make it to a clean up?  I understand that.  Sometimes it's just not physically possible.  That's OK! There are other ways to make a difference. How about supporting organizations whose mission it is to clean up the environment?  Check it out:

Big rewards for taking small actions! Earn points
by taking small everyday green actions like recycling,
reusing & reducing your energy usage. Get rewards like
discounts & merchandise where you shop.  Better the planet
one neighborhood at a time.

Go Shopping!  Clean Forest Project has several types of shopping opportunities to offer you... buy something cool, and save the environment at the same time! 

Tell your friends about Clean Forest Project.  The more people we tell, the bigger the coalition we will have to fight the epidemic of illegal dumping. Share on FaceBook, Tweet about us on Twitter, and recommend our Blog!

Learn More.  There's a ton of information on the world wide web regarding the state of our environment. While you can't believe everything anyone says on the internet, there's plenty of reliable sources like eco20-20.com to learn from order to make informed decisions.

Report A Dumpsite.  Have you come across an illegal dump site while you were out enjoying our great outdoors?  Tell us about it!  We need your help to be our "eyes in the forest"!  

Ok, get out there, take action, and start something great!! 

U.S. Consumers Lag Others in Sustainable Choices [NatGeo News Watch]
Full 2010 Greendex Report (230 Pages, 14 MB PDF) [NatGeo]

Over-The-Top Recycling!

Over the last three years, Clean Forest Project has found really cool items at some of our clean up sites. So we have been looking for unique ways to re-use and recycle them.

As I was researching on the internet for ideas, I came across these wicked-crazy recyclers that have made a statement with their cast-off creations! 


I was amazed and delighted to discover such a variety of ingenious recycling ideas!  But I was most intrigued by buildings constructed using recycled material.  Here are a few of my faves (not in any particular order).

1) How would you like to stay in a hotel made from garbage?  Doesn't sound very appealing, does it? What if I said the garbage hotel was made from trash collected off of European beaches?  And that it's located in Madrid?  Now I've got your interest!

The structure was built by German artist Ha Schult to bring attention to the garbage that's floating around in our oceans. Click on the link to read more about the Beach Garbage Hotel.

2) Do you ever wonder what happens to old shipping containers when they've outlived their usefulness in the shipping industry?  Apparently they make great homes!  They are incredibly sturdy, water and mold resistant, as well as vermin resistant.  Check out some of the amazing homes that have been designed using recycled shipping containers. 

3) I don't know about you, but wine is one of my best friends!   I'm not such a lush that I've thought about moving into a wine barrel.  But, after seeing photos of a hotel in Holland, I've come to appreciate the idea of staying (temporarily) in a 15,000 litre wine barrel the next time I'm in Stavoren, Holland.  Check out the rooms made from recycled wine barrels.

Have you recycled and turned something old into something cool?? Send us an email and tell us about it! We might just feature your idea in our Blog!
 

Volunteering...What's In It For Me???

Alright, so we are all human… and one of our human characteristics is the “What’s In It For Me” factor.  It’s not that we are completely self-centered individuals, we are just so busy that every task we do needs to have some kind of compensation to make it worth our time.

As if feeling good, having fun, free food, making new friends, and spending quality time with family weren’t enough compensation – Clean Forest Project wants to shower our “frequent flyer” volunteers with tangible rewards. 

While our “Incentives Program” has been in the development stage for a while, we are keeping track of your volunteer hours and we have you on our “reward

radar”!!

Some incentives may include the following:

· A one night stay in a hotel on the coast

· Dinner for two at a local restaurant

· A Wine and Cheese basket

· Tickets to the movies

· A bottle of limited edition Clean Forest Project wine

· Dutch Bros Coffee Cash

Sound good to you?  Great!  We can’t wait to give you what you deserve!

Volunteer  -  It’s worth it!

The Benefits of Volunteering

In my last blog, we discussed how volunteering can actually improve your health.  But did you know that volunteering can improve your quality of life as well? Below are just a few more benefits that you receive when you volunteer:

· Have fun.  Really!  You’d be surprised at how much fun you can have picking up garbage in the woods! Combine a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with lots of laughter and you won’t even realize that you are really working!

· Free Food.  Savor a hot cup of Dutch Bros coffee and baked goodies provided to you when you get to the clean-up site.  Afterward, sit back and admire the results of your hard work while you dine on a delicious lunch provided by local restaurants.

· Grow your Social Network.  Meet people from all walks of life. Social networking is a great marketing tool, and can lead to new business contacts.  You will also make new friends that share your concerns about our environment.

· Family Time.  Make volunteering for a clean-up a family event.   Teach your kids the importance of volunteering, spend time together as a family, and learn more about your “back yard” environment.

Take the time to improve your quality of life… Volunteer!

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Volunteer... It's Good For Your Health!!

You lead a very busy life.  With jobs, kids, grand-kids, and social activities taking up so much of your time, what would compel you to want to give up your valuable free hours to trek around in the woods clearing hiking trails, pulling weeds, and cleaning up garbage?  We’d like to share with you just one of the benefits you receive when you give of yourself through volunteering with Clean Forest Project.

· Feel good  -  Mentally and Physically.  Give yourself a pat on the back! You are doing your part to help reduce the harmful effects of illegal dumping on the environment.  You might also be improving your health at the same time.

In a report put out by the Corporation for National and Community Services called “the Health Benefits of Volunteering  -  A Review of Recent Research”, studies have shown that volunteering leads to better health.

This research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.  For more information on the health benefits of volunteering, read the full report.

Clean Forest Project has many volunteer opportunities.  If you are unable to assist with clean-ups, there are lots of other areas that we could use your expertise! Give us a call at 541-471-4214 or email us.

Thank you for making a difference!

What Does Clean Forest Project Do?

Clean Forest Project is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing communities together to combat the epidemic of illegal dumping and to promote good stewardship practices.  

Clean Forest Project removes garbage and hazardous waste from our public lands in an effort to protect and restore forest lands, watersheds and Eco-systems that provide drinking water to thousands of people and support populations of elk, deer, black bear and threatened wild salmon.  To date, Clean Forest Project has removed over 600,000 pounds of garbage from Oregon and Northern California's forests and beaches!  Please visit our website, learn about our programs and see how you can get involved and help us in our quest to rid our public lands of illegal dumping.

www.cleanforestproject.org