Eco New Year Resolutions

A new year. Time for new beginnings, new resolutions and new ambitions.

Whether you’re testing the water with a small commitment or ready to make a big change, here are 8 ways to do your bit for nature in 2023.

1. Explore the natural world

Tread a new path, watch the wide winter skies and reconnect with nature. Wrap up warm, breathe fresh, clean air and keep moving – you’ll find new horizons, feel healthier and happier and enjoy a wonderful sense of wellbeing.

Spending time in nature will rejuvenate you physically and mentally. You just need to take that first step.

2. Reduce waste

We’re facing a climate emergency and many of us are looking for ways to make a difference. A great resolution is to reduce waste. Here are some ideas:

• Reduce: consider everyday things like your energy consumption. Turn appliances off at the wall and switch lights off when not in use. You could even switch to an energy company that offers 100% green energy.
• Reuse: avoid single use items like carrier bags, coffee cups and cling film wherever possible. Long lasting alternatives are available for many items, like shopping bags, reusable cups and beeswax wraps. Go a step further by switching out plastic washing up sponges, nappies or face wipes for washable cloth substitutes, or buying second hand goods from charity shops, car boot sales and online sites.
• Recycle: think beyond simply splitting waste into recyclables and non-recyclables - consider the packaging of every purchase. Do you have any local zero-waste shops? Could you buy loose veg instead of bagged at the supermarket? Can you take your own containers to the takeaway?

3. Learn more about the nature around us

Resolutions are often about learning a new skill or talent – perhaps a language or a musical instrument. Broaden your horizons by learning more about a new subject, like the environment around us - from why trees are so important to what frogs eat! Knowing more about the nature we see every day helps us to better appreciate it – and we can learn how to protect it too.

4. Grow your own food

A really rewarding resolution is to grow your own food. It’s cheaper, reduces your environmental impact and tastes even better knowing you’ve grown it yourself – what an achievement! You don’t have to be a seasoned gardener either – easier options like potatoes and carrots are great for beginners. If your patch is small, try herbs in a window box.

5. Turn your garden into a wildlife haven

Pledge to give nature a helping hand this year by providing food and shelter for wildlife. From bird feeders to bug hotels, there’s an option to suit every space and pocket - even a window box or plant pot can make a difference.

6. Discover the joy of volunteering

Whatever your skills or background and however much time you can give, you can make a difference. From campaigning online at home to getting your hands dirty in a woodland working group, there’s something for everyone. As well as helping trees and woods, you’ll be meeting new people and learning new skills. Apply for a specific volunteer role, or dip in and out of our citizen science projects whenever you have a little spare time - you could record thick gnarly trees near you for the Ancient Tree Inventory, or a number of natural events that signify the changing seasons for Nature’s Calendar. Every little helps!

7. Fundraise for a good cause

Raising money for a charity can be a great target to aim for in a new year, especially if you need to train or learn a new skill. But marathon running and skydiving are not the only options! You could fundraise alone by setting a personal challenge, arrange an event, choose a group activity to raise money as a team or get your colleagues involved to support a good cause at work. Raise as much or as little as you like, from collecting small donations to arranging public events - the choice is yours.

8. Plant a tree (or several)

Choose suitable native species for your space and enjoy watching your tree grow and thrive through the coming seasons. You’ll also be creating a future home and food source for wildlife, helping to fight climate change for years to come and much more.

Plant trees in your garden, community space or as part of a large scale project. Make an occasion of it by inviting loved ones to join you in planting and watching the trees grow! Don’t have anywhere to plant? You can easily make a donation HERE and One Tree Planted will do it for you where it is most needed

By making some (or all) these resolutions part of your 2023 journey you won’t just be doing something positive for yourself – you’ll also be helping make Australia a healthier and happier place. For you, for us, for future generations.