Stephanimals: Unique Like Nature

We've compiled a short list of ways that you can help respect the planet that we share with millions of other species, including animal and plant varieties. Change can be difficult, most often because we find great comfort in our routines. However, by taking baby steps, change is possible and made relatively easy. So to help you get started, if you haven't already, we suggest you read through this list, and select three or four small changes that you think you can make in your life. Once you've mastered these, select another couple of items, and once you master these, just keep going. You'll learn a lot along the way and not only will the planet be cleaner, healthier and happier, but so will you!

Whenever possible, avoid buying items that are packaged, specifically individually packaged items (ie. toilet paper, juice boxes, water, cheese, etc). It will reduce the amount of garbage and waste that your family produces.
Buy an insulated mug for hot beverages (ie. coffee) and a hard plastic bottle for cold beverages (ie. water), and have these filled with your favourite beverages every day. This will drastically decrease the amount of waste caused by paper/styrofoam cups/plastic lids and bottles/tin cans, etc.
Use cloth napkins over paper towel. Cloth napkins can be used several times before needing laundering, and can be thrown in with other loads of laundry, thereby reducing waste in the landfills and saving some money.
Avoid keeping the water running while brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc., and use water-saving devices on your toilet, taps and showerhead.
Consume less. When you do need to buy something, try to support local companies, and ones that are involved in protecting the environment.
Encourage your family to take public transportation. Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car. Try to organize carpools. This will help reduce harmful fumes and any unnecessary use of our earth's resources.
Work where you live / live where you work.
Save energy by turning off lights, radios and the TV when you are not using them.
Find alternatives to pesticides and ozone-depleting chemicals in your home and workplace.
Create some space for wildlife by planting a tree in your backyard, or building a pond to provide habitat space for neighborhood birds, dragonflies, frogs, etc.
Start composting in your backyard garden or on your balcony. It eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to animals and humans, and it benefits your plants!
Don't litter. Littering not only makes communities filthy, it can also cause severe damage and death to wildlife. Birds can choke on plastic straws and strangle themselves on the plastic rings from 6-packs. The leatherback turtle has been known to sometimes ingest plastic bags adrift on the sea, confusing them with jellyfish - its prey of choice.
Buy fresh, local produce and other groceries, whenever possible. It is healthier to eat fresh local food, and encourages the sustainability of communities. It also reduces transport which contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Buy organic/biodegradable products such as soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste. This helps reduce pollutants, in our bodies as well as our drinking water, that are caused by harsh, unnecessary chemicals.
Before throwing anything away, ask yourself "Can I use this for anything else?" or "Could someone else make use of this?". If not, ask "Can this be recycled?".
Whenever possible, avoid prescription medication. There are several other alternatives that can be considered instead. These include homeopathy, naturopathy, and acupuncture. Again, this will reduce the amount of pollutants in our bodies as well as our drinking water, caused by harsh, unnecessary chemicals.
Grow native plants in your garden. Ensure that they are not bought from a producer that harvests them directly from the wild.
Don't feed, disturb or be disrespectful towards any wildlife including birds, squirrels and raccoons.
Recycle your toys, books and games by donating them to a hospital, daycare, nursery school or children's charity. This way the same toys can make provide joy in another child's life!
Question and speak out with regards to any commercial and residential area plans that could destroy the habitats of species, including plant and animal.
Learn as much as you can about different specie,s and volunteer in your community at a local park, garden, or non-profit organization.
Share this information with family, friends, and neighbors.
Remember - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Whenever possible, avoid buying items that are packaged, specifically individually packaged items (ie. toilet paper, juice boxes, water, cheese, etc). It will reduce the amount of garbage and waste that your family produces.

Buy an insulated mug for hot beverages (ie. coffee) and a hard plastic bottle for cold beverages (ie. water), and have these filled with your favourite beverages every day. This will drastically decrease the amount of waste caused by paper/styrofoam cups/plastic lids and bottles/tin cans, etc.

Use cloth napkins over paper towel. Cloth napkins can be used several times before needing laundering, and can be thrown in with other loads of laundry, thereby reducing waste in the landfills and saving some money.

Avoid keeping the water running while brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc., and use water-saving devices on your toilet, taps and showerhead.

Consume less. When you do need to buy something, try to support local companies, and ones that are involved in protecting the environment.

Encourage your family to take public transportation. Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car. Try to organize carpools. This will help reduce harmful fumes and any unnecessary use of our earth's resources.

Work where you live / live where you work.

Save energy by turning off lights, radios and the TV when you are not using them.

Find alternatives to pesticides and ozone-depleting chemicals in your home and workplace.

Create some space for wildlife by planting a tree in your backyard, or building a pond to provide habitat space for neighborhood birds, dragonflies, frogs, etc.

Start composting in your backyard garden or on your balcony. It eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to animals and humans, and it benefits your plants!

Buy fresh, local produce and other groceries, whenever possible. It is healthier to eat fresh local food, and encourages the sustainability of communities. It also reduces transport which contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Buy organic/biodegradable products such as soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste. This helps reduce pollutants, in our bodies as well as our drinking water, that are caused by harsh, unnecessary chemicals.

Before throwing anything away, ask yourself "Can I use this for anything else?" or "Could someone else make use of this?". If not, ask "Can this be recycled?".

Grow native plants in your garden. Ensure that they are not bought from a producer that harvests them directly from the wild.

Don't feed, disturb or be disrespectful towards any wildlife including birds, squirrels and raccoons.

Recycle your toys, books and games by donating them to a hospital, daycare, nursery school or children's charity. This way the same toys can make provide joy in another child's life!

Question and speak out with regards to any commercial and residential area plans that could destroy the habitats of species, including plant and animal.

Learn as much as you can about different specie,s and volunteer in your community at a local park, garden, or non-profit organization.

Share this information with family, friends, and neighbors.

Remember - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.