At the KTTC we love St. Patrick’s Day. We might not celebrate with green beer, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have some fun! There are two reasons in particular that this holiday is so important to us. First, we happen to have a resident snapper named Paddy. The name comes from Irish origins and means “Noble.” We think it’s a pretty good description of our beloved ambassador.
Noble Paddy is an education animal at the KTTC.
Second, how can you not love a holiday that celebrates the colour green? Although, we may celebrate the colour a little differently than others… When people think of green on St. Patrick’s Day, most think of clovers and leprechaun hats. At the KTTC, we tend to think about turtles, marshes, and being environmentally friendly.
So today, we would like to invite everyone to join us in our celebrations by going green for St. Patrick’s Day.
How can you go green to help turtles?
- Keep shorelines natural – If you have a pond, river or lakefront on your property, consider keeping it simple and natural to make it a great home for turtles.
- Practice native gardening – Choose native plants that are friendly for the local ecosystem. For example, butterfly gardens and pollinating plants are great ways to attract wildlife and create a positive effect on the ecosystem.
- Don’t litter – Trash makes its way into our lakes, rivers and marshes, endangering wildlife and polluting the water.
More ways to help!
Conserve Water
Did you know that fresh water makes up only 2% of the world’s water? Considering how important it is to us, we should be calling fresh water liquid gold! Here are some easy ways to conserve!
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
- Use the same water glass all day to avoid continuous washing.
- Set a timer when running a sprinkler.
- Report broken or leaky pipes to property owners or the local water company.
Reduce waste
Every year Canadians produce 30 million tonnes of waste! Some gets recycled, some burned, but most lies in landfills. Here are some easy ways to reduce waste!
- Bring your own shopping bags.
- Use your own water bottle.
- Avoid buying products with extra packaging.
- Use reusable containers for lunches and snacks
Conserve Energy
We tend to take energy for granted, but making it uses up our natural resources, and produces waste and pollution. Here are some simple ways to conserve!
- Use cold water to wash your clothes.
- Unplug your electronics when you aren’t using them.
- Turn off the lights in other rooms.
- Preprogram your thermostat.
These are just a couple ways to go green this St. Patrick’s Day. Check out the links below for more great ways you and your family can GO GREEN!
Until next time,
Intern Laura
