Today is International Forest Day! 

Forests are unfortunately declining at such a rapid rate.  Today only 7% of the Atlantic Rainforest remains, and only 28% of Indonesia’s Rainforest remains.  We may not have a forest in Cayman, but it is still important that we do our best to preserve our precious environment.  Every time someone builds a house or an apartment complex, or any other building for that matter, trees are cut down, as the land is cleared.  Therefore, it is important to replace what was lost, and plant new trees and incorporate as many trees and flowers into the landscape as possible.  When trees are cut down either in forests or developing areas, animals are losing a part of their natural habitat, so it is imperative that we strive to keep as much of our natural landscape intact.

How can we celebrate International Forest Day…. Plant trees! Go out and buy some seeds and plant some trees in your backyard.  Take some time and add more flowers and trees to your garden, a beautiful landscape adds to your property value.  (Bonus you are helping out the environment)

Maybe you don’t have a green thumb, but know someone who does, or is passionate about the environment, so give them a gift to plant trees.  Your gift can be the total package, a packet of seeds inside a plant pot.  It’s a gift that keeps on giving, and grows with love.

Here is a neat fact about trees “If every American family planted one tree, carbon dioxide would be reduced by one billion pounds each year.” Avon Hello Green Tomorrow.  So just think how much we can help reduce carbon dioxide from our little island by planting trees.  We have pretty much perfect weather all year long.

If you feel inspired to plant trees today or this weekend, maybe look into planting some fruit trees.  Taking the sustainable route, will allow you over time to accumulate your own little orchard, so to speak.  So when you are munching on that mango, avocado, orange or grapefruit, plant the seed(s) in your garden.  In the long run you will be thankful, because you won’t need to go to the grocery store to buy these delicious fruits.

Finally, another great way to help celebrate Forest Day is by purchasing paper products that are made from recycled paper.  You can buy paper towel, toilet paper and writing paper made from recycled paper.

Did you know? 40% of all waste going to landfills is paper. Cutting down on paper waste will extend the lives of our landfills.

More ways to recycle paper

Start a recycle paper initiative in your office and at home.  You can do simple things, like printing on both sides of the paper, save up scraps of paper to make notes on, use junk mail and old/used envelopes to write notes or your grocery list on.

Random Fact: A typical office generates about one pound of paper per employee

Give newspapers to the Cayman Islands Humane Society for the animals at the shelter, or use newspaper as liners for your own pet litter boxes or bird cages.

Use newspapers for art projects, packing material, and gift wrap.  Be as creative as you want.

Go paperless whenever you can!

with love from one tree hugger to another xo