Christmas Cards use a lot of paper each year. Unfortunately, a great deal of that paper ends up being thrown away instead of reused or recycled, and the trees it comes from are often not replanted. This year, consider sending an eco-friendly alternative to traditional Christmas cards. They aren't much more expensive, and allow you to do your part to spread the word about environmental awareness.
Christmas Cards That Grow On You
According to Wikipedia.org some 1.9 billion Christmas cards were mailed out in 2005. That’s a lot of dead trees and waste for a one-time-use greeting. When sending out your Christmas cards this year take a minute to evaluate those on your card list. Not everyone necessarily needs a physical card to know you’re thinking of them during Christmas.
Personalized e-cards work great for co-workers and friends and waste no paper whatsoever. There are many sites available to send these types of cards, some for free and some for a small membership fee. Many will even allow you to add your own photo and custom text, making your card truly personal. No trees are killed in the sending of e-cards - give it a try!
For those instances where an e-card just won’t cut it, such as with family or close friends, try sending a Christmas card that will warm their hearts and beautify their flower beds come summer. Seed paper cards are greeting cards created from 100% recycled paper which are imbedded with perennial flower seeds. The recipient can save the card and come spring simply plant the biodegradable card in ground. The seeds will germinate and grow lovely flowers for years to come. You’ll be happy knowing you reused paper that was recycled and your Christmas card recipient will have reduced the number of cards in landfills by planting their Christmas greeting. All three “R’s” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) covered with one simple card!
Be Caring and Crafty with Homemade Christmas Cards
A huge trend in Christmas cards of late is the personalized touch of creating your own greeting cards. While the supplies to make your own holiday cards are abundant at any craft store the items offered don’t necessarily have the environment in mind. If crafting your own Christmas cards is a hobby you enjoy relax in knowing that you don’t have to give up this holiday pleasure—you just need to find eco-friendly materials to use.
Purchase blank cards and card stock made from recycled paper. Accessorize your cards with natural embellishments such as rustic strings, and dried flowers or fruits. Cut out holiday designs from decorative recycled paper and use these as decals on your handmade Christmas greetings.
Spread the Word
Taking the time to sent environmentally friendly greeting cards will not only help do your part to save the earth, it will teach your children or grandchildren that this is an important value to have, as well. Taking care of the environment is everyones responsibility, and greeting cards are an easy way to start. Sending an eco-friendly greeting card is just as easy as sending a traditional card, and will spred the message to your loved ones that you're making environmental stewardship a priority.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Dude Ranches: A Green Vacation Choice for Your Family
Dude Ranches: A Green Vacation Choice for Your Family
As more people are becoming aware of environmental issues, vacationing green is a growing travel trend. Families are seeking vacation options that offer activities that respect the earth, and experiences that create cherished memories and a renewed connection to nature.
“Dude Ranches in our association are environmentally kind and a great way to bring your family closer on your next vacation,” says Colleen Hodson of The Dude Ranch Association, an organization that represents over 100 ranches in the western United States and Canada. “People come to enjoy the outdoors, have an adventure and relax in nature. After they leave, they often have a renewed appreciation for the environment.”
So what is it like to vacation on a dude ranch? Imagine cool, fresh mountain air, riding a trail on your trusted horse, participating in a cattle drive during a beautiful sunset, and hearing the dinner bell call you to a delicious meal. And this is just a start; many ranches offer spas, rafting, fishing, hunting, and special adult and children’s programs.
If this sounds like a vacation you might be interested in, there are options for every budget. Plus, many ranches participate in activities that help preserve the environment that they rely on so you can feel good about your trip.
For example, Rocking Z Ranch in Montana uses a stationary diesel motor that is powered by recycled vegetable oil to pump water for irrigation. This worked so well, the ranch took the idea one step further by using the vegetable oil to make biodiesel after taking out the fatty acids. They use this to run the tractors, loaders, an excavator, dozer and diesel pickup during the summer months.
Coffee Creek Ranch in California respects the environment by not spraying their fruit trees with any chemical pesticides. And like many hotels and travel establishments, you have the option to get fresh towels every day or hang them up and reuse them as a way to conserve water.
Recycling is another aspect that dude ranches are embracing. Keep in mind, with some ranches being far from major cities where a recycling program might exist, it’s a bit harder than simply putting items in a bin and putting it at the end of the driveway every week. Wilderness Trails Ranch in Colorado collects bottles, cans, plastic and paper from the approximately 38 guests and 30 staff that stay at the ranch each week and loads a large trailer to take into town 30 miles away.
“Successful ranching depends on a positive relationship with the earth, therefore ranchers know that they need to treat it with care. This relationship influences a visitor’s experience at a dude ranch and often brings them a deeper appreciation for the environment in which they live,” adds Hodson.
A ranch offers activities for the whole family. Maybe your daughter loves horses and has always dreamed of lopping across a grassy meadow, or your son wants to learn how to rope a steer. While your wife enjoys some time in the spa, why not try some fly fishing? Then you better rest up so you can all go whitewater rafting the next day.
So if you are looking for a vacation that will leave your family with memories to last a lifetime and a closer relationship with Mother Nature then a vacation at Wilderness Trails Ranch, Coffee Creek Ranch or The Rocking Z Ranch are the destinations you are looking for. For more information about vacations where your family can embrace the great outdoors visit www.guestranch.com.
Courtesy of ARA content
As more people are becoming aware of environmental issues, vacationing green is a growing travel trend. Families are seeking vacation options that offer activities that respect the earth, and experiences that create cherished memories and a renewed connection to nature.
“Dude Ranches in our association are environmentally kind and a great way to bring your family closer on your next vacation,” says Colleen Hodson of The Dude Ranch Association, an organization that represents over 100 ranches in the western United States and Canada. “People come to enjoy the outdoors, have an adventure and relax in nature. After they leave, they often have a renewed appreciation for the environment.”
So what is it like to vacation on a dude ranch? Imagine cool, fresh mountain air, riding a trail on your trusted horse, participating in a cattle drive during a beautiful sunset, and hearing the dinner bell call you to a delicious meal. And this is just a start; many ranches offer spas, rafting, fishing, hunting, and special adult and children’s programs.
If this sounds like a vacation you might be interested in, there are options for every budget. Plus, many ranches participate in activities that help preserve the environment that they rely on so you can feel good about your trip.
For example, Rocking Z Ranch in Montana uses a stationary diesel motor that is powered by recycled vegetable oil to pump water for irrigation. This worked so well, the ranch took the idea one step further by using the vegetable oil to make biodiesel after taking out the fatty acids. They use this to run the tractors, loaders, an excavator, dozer and diesel pickup during the summer months.
Coffee Creek Ranch in California respects the environment by not spraying their fruit trees with any chemical pesticides. And like many hotels and travel establishments, you have the option to get fresh towels every day or hang them up and reuse them as a way to conserve water.
Recycling is another aspect that dude ranches are embracing. Keep in mind, with some ranches being far from major cities where a recycling program might exist, it’s a bit harder than simply putting items in a bin and putting it at the end of the driveway every week. Wilderness Trails Ranch in Colorado collects bottles, cans, plastic and paper from the approximately 38 guests and 30 staff that stay at the ranch each week and loads a large trailer to take into town 30 miles away.
“Successful ranching depends on a positive relationship with the earth, therefore ranchers know that they need to treat it with care. This relationship influences a visitor’s experience at a dude ranch and often brings them a deeper appreciation for the environment in which they live,” adds Hodson.
A ranch offers activities for the whole family. Maybe your daughter loves horses and has always dreamed of lopping across a grassy meadow, or your son wants to learn how to rope a steer. While your wife enjoys some time in the spa, why not try some fly fishing? Then you better rest up so you can all go whitewater rafting the next day.
So if you are looking for a vacation that will leave your family with memories to last a lifetime and a closer relationship with Mother Nature then a vacation at Wilderness Trails Ranch, Coffee Creek Ranch or The Rocking Z Ranch are the destinations you are looking for. For more information about vacations where your family can embrace the great outdoors visit www.guestranch.com.
Courtesy of ARA content
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