Everyone, even kids, can make a difference in their world. Some ideas to get you started...

1. Stop Eating Animals - If you don't want to go "cold turkey", start by making a few vegetarian meals each week and switching to soy milk instead of cows milk. For meal suggestions and recipes, go to www.veganoutreach.org for a free Vegan Starter Pack. Fish are animals that feel pain when caught and killed, but if you still want to eat them, please go to Seafood Watch to learn which fish are caught in sustainable ways.
2. Plant a Garden - It's fun to watch the vegetables grow, but the best part is eating them! Another fun thing to do is to release benficial insects (like ladybugs) in your garden.
3. Keep Cats Indoors - I love to go birdwatching, but outdoor cats are a big problem for wild birds, especially in California. Cats stay healthier when they are kept indoors. Your indoor cat won't get eaten by a coyote or hit by a car. It won't get fleas or ticks or get sick from stray cats. For more information, please read about the American Bird Conservancy's Cats Indoors Campaign.
4. Adopt a Homeless Pet - If you are looking for a dog or cat, please don't buy one from a pet store. Millions of homeless animals are killed in animal shelters each year. Consider saving a life and adopt one. If you are looking for a specific breed of dog, look for a rescue group for the breed you want.
5. Recycle and Don't Litter - Recycling is always good for the environment, but some of the stuff we throw out might be dangerous to wild animals. Cut the plastic rings that come with 6-pack cans. Helium balloons are fun, but whenever they float away, they have to come down somewhere, and it's often in the ocean where sea turtles might mistake them for jellyfish. Other small animals and birds can become tangled up in trash like plastic bags and strings.
6. Wear Your Message on T-shirts, Buttons or Hats - For a fun project, try making your own message shirts. Look for packages of "HP Inkjet T-shirt Transfer Iron-On" at office supply stores, and buy a package of plain white cotton T-shirts. Then all you need is a little imagination, a computer and printer!

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