Plant the Seeds: Earth Day Service Opportunities
In celebration of Earth Day, I wanted to share opportunities to engage in meaningful service that both helps the environment and builds leadership skills.
Donate gently used prom formal wear. DoSomething, an organization that promotes activism and leadership, is offering a chance at a scholarship for students who document their donations.
Research and write about an environmental topic you care about. Write the World, a global writing community and platform, is hosting an Earth Day writing competition with Earth Day Network and Grand Canyon National Park. Students can submit an op-ed, creative nonfiction piece, or proposal. All students receive feedback from an expert reviewer (like me!), and the winning entrant(s) will receive $100 and be featured on the WtW blog.
Reduce plastic consumption. Join the Plastic Free Schools Community, which provides a manual for reducing plastic consumption on school campuses.
Host a litter clean-up and participate in the trashtag challenge. Grab a pickup tool, gloves, and some trash bags, head to a local park, beach, or other outdoor area, and restore the area to its original, trash-free beauty.
Reduce food waste by using the tools on savethefood.com, which includes tips on planning meals, storing food, and using “past-its-prime" food. Consider how you can increase your impact by working with your school to apply these tools at a larger scale.
