Not everyone has acres of land to protect or manage—but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a big difference for conservation. Whether you live in town, rent your home, or simply want to do more for nature in your everyday life, there are plenty of ways to support a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
Conservancy volunteers Kay, Jan, Kelly, and Krista suggested some creative and meaningful ways to support conservation efforts—no land ownership required:
1. Volunteer with local conservation organizations. Getting involved is as simple as raising your hand. Volunteers are essential to conservation success and there are opportunities to suit every interest and ability. Whether you enjoy writing, working outdoors, or lending a hand behind the scenes, you can:
- Help with office tasks like stuffing envelopes or event preparation.
- Join restoration efforts by pulling invasive species like garlic mustard at nature preserves.
- Assist with unique projects such as wildlife monitoring or tagging fish through partner organizations.
- Look into local conservation groups and nature centers to see where your time and talents are needed most.
2. Make conservation a home practice. Small lifestyle changes add up when it comes to conservation:
- Shop secondhand—thrift stores and resale shops offer great finds and help keep usable goods out of the landfill.
- Learn to fix instead of toss—repaired clothing, appliances, and furniture stay in use longer and reduce waste.
- Compost food scraps or check out local composting programs in your city.
- Eliminate invasive species in your yard and landscaping.
- If you're feeling adventurous, help rescue recyclables that have been mistakenly tossed in the trash!
3. Support pollinators—even in small spaces. You don’t need a large garden to help pollinators thrive.
- Plant native wildflowers in window boxes
- Install a bee hotel on your balcony
- Encourage friends and neighbors to join in. Small-scale efforts can create powerful habitat corridors for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
4. Shop locally and think sustainably. Supporting conservation can start at the grocery store:
- Visit local farmers markets to reduce food miles and packaging waste, and to support the agricultural community.
- Choose reusable bags, buy in bulk, and reduce single-use plastics whenever possible.
5. Inspire others by modeling conservation values. One of the most powerful tools for conservation is example:
- Take kids and grandkids outdoors—whether for mushroom hunting (with landowner permission) or just catching bugs with a net and a jar, these
moments plant seeds of environmental awareness.
- Support public policies that protect natural resources—like the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund or local land-use protections.
- Join conservation-minded community groups.
Conservation isn’t just about property lines—it’s about a shared commitment to the land, water, wildlife, and communities that make our region special. Whether your contribution is time, talent, advocacy, or daily action, you're part of the solution. Conservation close to home starts with you.
(Bluebird in winter landscape photo by Deb Warren)