Taking the Kids: Celebrating Earth Day
The National Aquarium in Baltimore, meanwhile, notes how increasing urbanization has implications for how we access and interact with nature, and it encourages visitors to join the National Aquarium Conservation Team on a field project to remove debris from the wetlands at Fort McHenry National Monument on Saturday, May 18.
How else can you help? Seattle's Woodland Park Zoosuggests small ways you can help reduce pressure on the environment -- like using the Seafood Watchguide to choose ocean-friendly seafood.
Reduce your carbon footprint by taking public transport when you travel, walking or biking when possible and buying local, National Aquarium scientists suggest.
That also happens to be a terrific way to explore a new city, discovering new locally produced foods as you go.
Make sure to turn out the lights (and turn off air conditioning) when you leave the hotel room, recycle and use reusable water bottles.
Such small steps really can make a big difference!
We all love the giant pandas. You can Adopt a Species -- a panda, bald eagle, Komodo dragon or southern two-toed sloth -- at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, helping to support their species-saving missions. You'll get a stuffed animal and more for your trouble and you can encourage the kids to learn more and "visit" their species at the National Zoo or elsewhere.
Consider an Inside Look Tour at the San Diego Zoo to go behind the scenes and see how the animals are cared for.
Visit a place that cares for injured animals like the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where you can visit the Animal Care Center. In addition, SeaWorld has come to the aid of more than 34,000 ill, injured or orphaned animals.
Remind the kids that whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium, you are helping to support their far-flung conservation missions.
Money well spent! Happy Earth Day!
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