Save Water

Rainwater that runs across lawns, roads, parking lots, and other surfaces are the main way pollutants enter the waterways of which we all depend.  One way to help with this environmental impact is by creating a rain garden or bioswale.  The Kansas City, Missouri Water Services Department has a great resource for homeowners on how to create rain gardens.  You can download this resource by clicking here.  Here’s another resource on rain gardens developed by Kansas State University.  Don’t forget to share your rain garden or bioswale pictures with #SunsetZoo5050.

Change a "Throw Away" Habit

As identified previously, single use plastic is a major challenge for the environment.  One way to combat this issue is to stop using the single use sandwich bags and cling wrap.  You can find lots of options by searching the Internet for "reusable sandwich bags".  You can also make the switch to beeswax wrap instead of cling wrap.  You don’t even have to buy those.  You can make them yourself by following these directions.  Use #SunsetZoo5050 to share your non-throw away options.

Reduce Carbon Footprint

As everyone has spent weeks and weeks at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, online shopping has increased.  You can take one more step to help the planet by purchasing carbon offsets for this new shipping.  There are lots of ways to go to purchase offsets.  This is one option.  Share your offset with #SunsetZoo5050.

Support Wildlife

Wildlife is impacted by so many of our actions from the waste we produce to the runoff from the lands we manage.  A practice that can help in multiple was is composting.  If you have never composted, it’s quite easy and provides a return for your effort.  You can use this resource from the EPA to help you get started.

Our Purchasing Power

Palm oil is a resource used in products that range from the food we eat to the toiletries found in our bathrooms.  This oil is produced on farms in Southeast Asia.  Much of the land used is not sustainably managed or obtained, which has had dire consequences on numerous animals, like orangutans and gibbons. This week, we are asking you to download Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s palm oil app and conduct an inventory of the items in your home to determine what is sustainable and what is not.  Once you know which products have unsustainable palm oil, you can make future purchases that contains sustainable palm oil or none at all.  Use #SunsetZoo5050 to share your use of the palm oil app.