A Summer To-do List You’ll Love To Do!

From our friends at EcoChallenge.org

Summer in the northern hemisphere.  It’s a time that brings us backyard barbecues, fun adventures, water sports, and so much more.

To help you get the most out of your summer, we’re sharing ideas for getting outside, finding balance, and helping the planet. When we do good for ourselves and others, and treat the environment with care, we thrive and so do our communities. We hope this list serves as inspiration and motivation for you throughout the summer.

  1. Go for a hike, run, or walk
  2. Help a neighbor weed their yard
  3. Volunteer with your local parks conservancy group
  4. Drink lots of water … and then drink more … and then make sure your pets are drinking lots of water, too
  5. Look up at the sky and find animal shapes in the clouds
  6. Observe wildlife and flora in your backyard, document it using iNaturalist
  7. Play a musical instrument in the grass
  8. Spend twenty minutes learning something new
  9. Share what you learned with others
  10. Donate a bag of groceries (or a few cans) to your local food pantry
  11. Find a mountain water source and take a cool plunge
  12. Take a nap in a hammock (in the shade!)
  13. Explore a new hiking or biking trail
  14. Strive for zero waste
  15. Invite your neighbors to a game of hopscotch (with masks!)
  16. Call a friend just to say hello
  17. Reduce food waste by starting a compost bin
  18. Take regular social media and news timeouts
  19. Read a book under a tree
  20. Organize a beach or park clean up
  21. Sit in silence outside and listen to the world around you
  22. Smile at a stranger
  23. Try new vegetarian BBQ recipes, such as grilled peaches or sesame and soy watermelon poke