Falling on the fourth Saturday of October, Make a Difference Day is one of the nation’s largest single days of service, where millions of people throughout the U.S. unite under a common goal: to improve the lives of others. Stormwater Hawaii has taken this idea one step further to improve the lives of marine animals and Hawaii’s surrounding water systems.
Following one of Hawaii’s core values – mālama ‘āina – taking care of the land, Stormwater Hawaii hopes to inspire community members to make a difference!
A few ways to make a difference in your neighborhood on Make a Difference Day, and every day, are:
- Start a beach cleanup: Beach cleanups are an easy way to get your family, friends, and community involved in making a difference. Keeping our shorelines clean is important to prevent debris and litter from polluting the ocean. Cleaning surrounding beach areas helps marine life both in and out of the water.
- Limit single use plastic: Plastic is one of the most common pollutants found worldwide and can take hundreds of years to break down. Since plastic is so lightweight it is easily carried by wind and water and can be transported further than other types of debris. Limiting single use plastic is one simple way to make a big impact by preventing pollution contribution in nearby waterways and surrounding environments.
- Plant native plants and trees: Trees and plants are positive contributors to the environment as they provide oxygen, improve surrounding air quality, and conserve water. By planting trees and native plants, you can make a lasting difference.
Sources:
https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php/news/city-and-county-host-make-difference-month-cleanups