Caring for the environment helps our community thrive! Here are five ways to promote sustainability, clean water and quality air in Overland Park in celebration of Earth Day April 22:
1. Plant a native tree.
Planting native trees reduces stormwater runoff. Unless otherwise controlled, stormwater runoff can affect water quality, picking up excess nutrients and pollutants as it runs into local streams. Trees filter out pollutants and sediment, taking up water from the soil through their roots, resulting in cleaner, safer water. You can find a list of native plants at opkansas.org.
2. Conserve water and energy.
Reducing energy and water consumption are easy ways to reduce your environmental impact and save money. Reduce energy use at home by sealing air leaks around doors and windows and using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. Conserve water by taking shorter showers, only running full loads of laundry and dishes and only watering your lawn when needed.
3. Ride your bike.
Consider riding your bike instead of driving. Overland Park has dozens of miles of bike/hike trails and more than 120 miles of bike lanes. If you don’t own a bike, Ride KC has a bikeshare program with locations throughout Johnson County, and Bird scooters and bikes are available to rent in Overland Park. You can borrow a traditional bicycle or an e-bike.
4. Reduce your plastic consumption.
Make a plan this Earth Day to reduce your plastic consumption. Avoid single-use plastics by opting for a reusable water bottle and bringing your own bags to the grocery store. Choose paper over plastic whenever possible, and replace plastic food storage containers with glass or stainless steel options.
5. Get involved.
Environmental programs and events held throughout the year, including Recycling Extravaganza and Stream Clean, rely on volunteers to be successful. Consider getting involved at special events and with environmental initiatives to promote sustainability and give back to the community.
Find more information about sustainability at opkansas.org.