SHN suggests sustainable activities for August

The Sustainable Heights Network (SHN) advocates for evidence-based community actions and education that will result in a positive impact on our environment and quality of life. SHN suggests the following sustainable things-to-do for Heights residents, for the month of August:

Sustainable Transportation: August’s heat is not kind to marginal automobile batteries, and it’s the month with the second-most battery failures. Have yours checked, along with  tire inflation and condition.

School begins late this month. Be alert to changing traffic patterns, including new bike riders en route to and from school.

Parents, this is a good time to walk or bike to school with your child to explain the route and the rules of safe travel.

Errands are more efficient when planned out in advance. Make an effort to consolidate back-to-school shopping trips and other errands. Your trip map should look more like a spiral and less like a daisy.

Sam Bell chairs SHN’s transportation subcommittee. He can be reached via e-mail at lustywrench@gmail.com. The transportation subcommittee is seeking volunteers to help in its work.

Environmental Health: August is National Water Quality Month. Here are some things you can do to protect Lake Erie’s quality:

  • Choose nontoxic and non-antibacterial household soaps and cleaning products.
  • Dispose of unwanted or out-of-date medications in a plastic bag and take it to the police department for proper disposal.
  • Put only water down storm drains.
  • Fix leaks that drop from cars and put liners in driveways to collect oil and other materials.
  • Avoid using pesticides or chemical fertilizers on lawns.
  • Pick up after pets.
  • Minimize impervious surfaces on property, including grass lawns.
  • Plan and install a rain garden and rain barrel.
  • Plan to plant a tree this fall, and water existing trees.

Laura Marks co-chairs SHN’s environmental health subcommittee. She can be reached via e-mail at reforestcity216@gmail.com. The environmental health subcommittee is also seeking volunteers.

For more information about SHN, visit www.sustainableheightsnetwork.net.

Laura Marks

Laura Marks is founder of ReForest City, whose mission is to plant trees on private property. She is a member of the Sustainable Heights Network steering committee. Her family has lived in Cleveland Heights since 1847.

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Volume 9, Issue 8, Posted 6:07 PM, 07.28.2016