Escrip is a great way to support EarthCorps (www.earthcorps.org) and the planet!

By using your credit/debit card or grocery card at the stores where you already shop – like Safeway, Whole Foods Market, Sierra Trading Post, Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble and eBay – you can earn hundreds of dollars in donations for EarthCorps at no cost to you. It’s your way of telling retailers where you’d like their donations to go. Sign up or shop at www.escrip.com.

I've been doing this for years and enjoying so because once I've signed up, I don't need to do anything else.  I do not receive email solictitations, but I can go online to see how much money has gone to support EarthCorps. 

A recent article in Scientific American states that "Energy efficiency seems to make rational economic sense—the less energy used, the more money saved. Yet, in the real world it's actually competition with neighbors rather than cost savings that can drive people to turn down their thermostats, install insulation or simply switch off the lights when they leave a room."

Click here- http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=overconsumption-consume... - to learn more. 

Invasive plants and animals can cause massive environmental devastation. The best solution is simply not to introduce invasive species.  I for one would be happy if Norway rats and English ivy were never introduced to Seattle.  Both are invasive and cause major problems. 

Have you ever heard of Japanese knotweed?  Japanese knotweed is an incredibly persistent invasive plant that causes tremendous environmental damage.  Japanese knotweed is not only a problem in Seattle, but also in the UK where banks are refusing mortgages on properties where knotweed is present.  Just as knotweed wreaks havoc on the natural environment, lenders have observed that it can be equally damaging to homes.  Japanese knotweed is apparently capably of pushing through concrete and causing serious damage to homes. 

The Washington State Legislature is going into overtime.  They're dealing with a challenging budget situation and also with legislation referred to as the Clean Water Act of 2010 (HB 3181/ SB 6851).  Click here-http://environmentalpriorities.org/working-for-clean-water  - to learn more. 

Back in 2004, EarthCorps expanded the concept of Earth Day (April 22) to an entire month (Earth Month) because 'one day is not enough.'  Truthfully, we think every day should be Earth Day.  It's not quite April, but you can start taking action now.  Sign up to help restore a local forest near you for Earth Month. To learn when and where events are being held and to sign up online, click here:

http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php