Presents for the Planet

'Tis the season for giving. The holidays offer us all a chance to bask in the warm glow of giving. Whether it is home-baked goodies to our workmates, a handmade gift to a loved one, or the perfect book or toy for the children in our lives, researchers point out that the act of giving fires up the pleasure and reward centers of our brains, making us feel a sense of happiness as both the gift giver and receiver. It connects us, deepening our social bonds and making us feel closer to each other.I've been thinking about this lately and would like to propose a wild idea! If giving gifts to one another connects us and brings us joy, how about we give gifts to the Earth? I'm betting that it would light up the same areas in our brain, filling us with that warm glow of giving, deepening our connection to the natural world and all the gifts it gives us. Think of winter sunsets, the first falling snow, the glimpse of a shooting star, and a red cardinal in our winter landscape. These wild presents offered by our little blue planet ask for nothing in return other than our attention. Now imagine how it would feel to offer something back to this world we live in. It might be the best gift we both give and receive. On the eve of the winter solstice, here are 10 gifts to give back to nature: Pay Attention: Look up and see how the sun reaches through the clouds, the stars twinkle in the dark of winter, and the full moon and sunrises. Open more than your eyes. Listen to the birds, and the faraway coyote howls. Sniff out the spicy odor of pine trees on your next walk, and breathe in the first flowers of spring. The act of noticing acknowledges that our planet deserves our attention. Volunteer for Nature: Give a day of service to the wild world. From being a crossing guard for amphibians with the Harris Center to participating in the annual loon census with the Loon Preservation Committee, carve out some time to show up for the natural world and make a difference. Leave It Better Than You Found It: Litter is not pretty, and it is also dangerous to our wild neighbors. From plastic caps and beer cans to cigarette butts and candy wrappers, litter really trashes our communities. It isn't glamorous, but please consider bringing a small garbage bag and some gloves on your next walk to pick up any trash you find along the way. Eliminate Rodenticide Use: No one likes rodents in their home, but using certain types of poison to rid them is a brutal death sentence to the many other animals in your neighborhood. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides cause mortality in hawks, owls, eagles, foxes, bobcats, and many other species. Consider other methods to rid your home of rodents, such as eliminating access to food and water, sealing entry points, and using natural repellents. Plant a Native Pollinator Garden: Winter is the perfect time to plan a new garden. How about choosing native plants and creating a refuge for our local New England pollinators? Think bumblebees, native bees, and butterflies. These pollinators provide us with beautiful blossoms and are essential to food production. For more about pollinator gardens, check out UNH's Cooperative Extension's list of native flowers, shrubs, trees, and groundcover. Keep it Dark and Dim your Lights: Keeping our night skies dark doesn't only bring out the stars, it is also essential to many nocturnal animals. One of the best ways to help wildlife is to dim nighttime lights. This is especially true during seasonal bird migrations, when millions of birds are flying at night, using the stars as their guide. Bright lights disrupt their view of the sky. If you can't go completely dark, consider switching your yard lights to either targeted or motion sensor lights, or shielded lights that prevent light pollution from disrupting our dark skies. Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle: The less we contribute to the waste stream, the better off our planet will be. Buy less when possible, and when you do make a purchase, make it last by reusing and repairing the item. Recycle what you can. Flex Your Buying Power: Each time we buy something, we make a choice. Buy from local farms and producers whenever possible. Not only are you supporting our rural economy, but you are putting your buying power towards a less energy-intensive system. When you can't get what you need from New England, try to choose companies that are doing their best to be sustainable. Bring your Bags: So simple! Don't forget to bring your reusable bags for shopping or choose paper whenever possible. Celebrate the Outdoors: The more time we spend connecting to the natural world, the better we are for it. Time spent in nature has numerous health benefits for both our physical and mental well-being, including lower levels of stress hormones, increased oxygen intake, higher Vitamin D levels, and a greater sense of happiness. If you can't get outside, no worries! Listen to bird songs, look out your window, and spend time with your houseplants. These also show similar benefits. How does this benefit nature? It makes us more connected, helping us remember to take care of this one and only world we all live on.