Environmentalism via Hobby

Roughly a year ago, it was impossible to avoid.

The hobby crisis was everywhere. 

Between the rise of AI and the crest of social media, popular opinion began its shift away from the automated and algorithmic, back toward the natural and handspun. (A shift, to be clear, that we’re all for.)

We’re not positive how much collective progress we’ve made since the “hobby crisis” hit the headlines, but we ARE positive of a few surefire bets when it comes to filling your days, cooling the brainwaves and going easy on the planet. As we like to say, win-win-win.

Composting

Composting is so easy to do at home, we almost hesitate to remind you that we can do it for you. Greens, browns, water and air. That’s about all it takes to get started, and the EPA has a handy guide to get you up and running.

Bird Watching

The bird watching renaissance has been a delight to observe up close. Free, easy, peaceful and rewarding, the avian identification process is proven to help watchers feel more connected to the places they call home. And beyond all the other benefits, that’s good enough for us.

Native Gardening

Much like composting, it doesn’t take much to plant a native garden. In fact, much of it may already be available in your yard. If you want to start small, our landscaping team loves to help clients get set up with their first planter box, and have plenty of recommendations as to what would grow best in your neck of the woods.

Clean Up

It doesn’t sound glamorous, but fighting the litterbugs is its own type of reward. Hike, bike, kayak, run, walk, skip or jog anywhere you normally would, and bring a set of gloves and bag with you. You’ll be amazed at how much plastic and single-use refuse you’ll find along the way, whether you’re on the trails, beaches or anywhere in between.

Lepidopterology

A big word for a simple concept: watching the butterflies go by. Paired in tandem with a native garden, studying butterflies pings many of the same reward centers as bird watching. The neophyte will be astounded by the variety in color, body markings, flight periods and breeding habits alone. For an animal so delicate and harmless to return that much to the world around it? We’ll add to the tally: Win-win-win-win.