SUSTAINABILITY IS THE KEY TO A MINDFUL AND MEANINGFUL LIFE BY KELSEY TRUDELL

I believe that we best care for the things we value and appreciate most. So at the root of any environmentalist, is an appreciation for the world around us. Sustainability is more than a movement, it’s a mindset, and if you are someone feeling overwhelmed with daily life, sustainability could be the key to slowing down and finding a more meaningful and intentional way to exist. These are 3 actions I would recommend for individuals to begin their journey towards building a deeper connection to the environment.

1.Go outside and spend intentional time in nature

Saratoga Springs is known as the “City in the Country.” This vision for our City reflects a quality that residents and visitors appreciate, our vibrant urban downtown that is surrounded by abundant access to open space, including trails, parks, lakes, and streams. Spending time in nature is essential for our well-being and I believe that the more we enjoy these outdoor spaces, the better we will take care of our planet. 

2. Consume consciously. Reduce, Reuse and Repair

Evaluate your relationship to your stuff. Shop secondhand and donate your unused items to local organizations when you can. Sustainable Saratoga has an online directory to offer guidance for local businesses and nonprofit organizations who accept used household items like clothes, books, toys, electronics, pet items, furniture, and more. It’s also important to think about the items we bring into our life in the first place. Single use disposable items may seem more convenient at times but consider if there are ways that you can participate more in the reuse movement and “skip the stuff.” We can also work to support local markets by buying our items closer to home- Saratoga has many small businesses and farmers markets to buy locally grown food and locally made goods. Finally, when you have an item that breaks, consider repairing it before throwing it away- Repair Cafés offer a free option for repairing your items!

3. Make time and space for gardening

One of the best ways to connect more with the land is to quite literally, dig in and get your hands dirty. When adding plants to your garden consider buying native plants that will offer a greater benefit to our local ecosystem, and avoid using pesticides which have a devastating effect on all insect and bird species. Also, composting your food scraps is a great way to recycle these nutrients and contribute to healthier soil for your garden. 

Sustainable Saratoga is a local non-profit organization promoting sustainable practices and protection of natural resources through education advocacy and action for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. We help individuals learn how to live more sustainability and enhance understanding of our connectedness to our environment through immersion of children and families in nature. We are working hard to foster support for sustainable solutions to environmental problems in our community.

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• Instagram: @sustainablesaratoga
• Email: [email protected]
• Donate: sustainablesaratoga.org/donate