Anyone can make a difference. Right now is a critical time for our wild places and our environment. Our elected officials need to know that we are concerned about these things. So ... write a letter to President Bush! You might even get a letter back from the President of the United States!!

Also, find out who your Senators and Representatives are. Write to them. Express your concern for our vanishing wildlife. Ask them to help preserve all our wild places. Tell them how you feel about clean air and water. Ask them to help stop pollution and toxic wastes. Encourage them to pass laws which are helpful to our environment and protect endangered species.

Here's how to address your letters:

1. Never use paper plates, cups, towels, or other "throw-away" things. These types of products encourage a wasteful lifestyle and cause more problems for our landfills. There's already too much garbage in this world. Don't make more!
2. Recycle your newspapers, cans, glass, and plastic. Buy recycled products.
3. Walk, or ride your bicycle, instead of driving everywhere in the car.
4. Use cloth shopping bags. They can be used over and over many times. No more throw-away bags.
5. Encourage your school and parents to purchase recycled paper products.
6. Plant a tree!
7. Don't buy products that are overpackaged. Encourage stores, family and friends to be less wasteful.
8. Use less. Respect the things you do use. Be aware of the world around you. Listen!

1. Build a bird feeder at home or school. Learn to identify your local residents.
2. Keep a daily journal of what goes on in your environment. Try to find something natural every day. This could be as simple as a spider weaving its web, or a bird nesting in your backyard. Seek out Nature, even if you live in the city. Observe what you find for at least several minutes each day. Draw a picture of what you see. Write down what you learn. Keep it in a journal form. If everyone in your class does this, it's fun to compare notes once a week. You'll notice that every person notices different things.
3. Plant a few seeds and watch them grow. This could be a tree, a flower, or even some vegetables. You can start them inside during your school year, and transplant them outside when the time is right.
4. Go to the library. Ask the librarian to help you pick out books about nature.

Have a question or comment for Walkin' Jim?