Land is a limited resource. Land in a comfortable climate with fresh water and fertile soil is especially scarce and sought after by animals and humans alike. Both people and critters depend on land as a place to live and as a source of food. Common land use concerns include soil erosion; pollution; toxin release; waste management; and the loss and damage of wetlands, green spaces, various other wildlife habitats and farmland to urban sprawl and unchecked development.

Take care of the land

Eat more local food to reduce wear-and-tear on highways and pollution from interstate transport trucks.

Eat more organic foods that use fewer pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

Buy less meat. Animal factories are a source of land and water pollution, with E. coli and other deadly bacteria found in their industrial waste and runoff.

Live close to work to reduce fuel consumption, pollution and the demand for new housing construction. If possible, telecommute.

Don't dump illegally. Discarded tires hold water where mosquitoes breed and waste piles attract rats.

Contribute land and money to land trusts.

Adopt green spaces and maintain wetlands.

Don't use lawn chemicals or toxic pesticides.

Practice the three Rs

Reduce

Choose products with less packaging, such as items sold in bulk or produce without bags.

Use cloth napkins, towels, and diapers instead of disposable products.

Refuse a shopping bag and use your own reusable bag.

Reuse

Maintain and repair durable items.

Upgrade computers.

Clean out and reuse bags, boxes, bottles, and other containers.

Sell or donate goods instead of throwing them out.

Shop for used goods at secondhand stores, flea markets, or auctions.

Choose refillable items, such as pens, pencils and tape dispensers.

Recycle

Recycle aluminum, glass, plastic, newspaper, paper and cardboard. They can be turned into other useable products.

Recycle e-Scrap, including computers, televisions, cell phones, and related equipment.

Seek out and buy products made from recyclable materials. There are called "post-consumer recycled-content items."

Use Nature's Recycling System

"Grasscycle" by letting clippings drop back onto the yard when mowing, providing nitrogen and moisture to your lawn.

Use grass clippings, brush trimmings, and chipped wood as mulch around plants.

Compost yard waste outdoors. After the yard waste decomposes, you'll be able to apply your finished compost to your garden as a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

For additional information, visit:

E-Scrap Recycling Campaign: www.eScrapIndiana.org

Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Pollution Prevention & Technical Assistance: www.in.gov/idem/oppta

Indiana Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil Conservation: www.in.gov/isda/soil/index.html

Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts: www.in.gov/isda/soil/swcd/index.html and www.iaswcd.org

Purdue University Cooperative Extension - Consumer Horticulture: www.hort.purdue.edu/ext

Stop Burning Trash Campaign: www.StopBurningTrash.org

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Wastes: www.epa.gov/osw