Five more ways to bring nature into your New Year’s resolution

In 2022, we gave you eight ways to bring nature into your New Year’s resolution, and this year we’re back with five more. There really are so many ways you can make caring for the environment part of your plans. Get ready to turn over a new leaf and bring conservation into your new year.

Explore your local area

Learning to love the world around you is a key part of caring for the environment. From five minute walks to four hour bike rides, Hampshire has so much to explore and enjoy. So, spend quality time with your friends and family as you visit landmarks or learn about local history. Now is a great time to find hidden walks, explore National Nature Reserves, and discover new favourite views.

You can also keep fit in the countryside, if exercising more is one of your other resolutions.

Volunteer

Join your local community in supporting a cause. Getting involved can range from surveying wildlife and weeding to removing and installing new fences. You can give as much or as little time as you’d like and feel good, knowing you’re making the world around you a better place. Volunteering also is a great way to meet new people and gain new skills. Find out how you can volunteer with Hampshire Countryside Service.

Make your garden pollinator friendly

Did you know that one in three mouthfuls of food we eat relies on pollination? Supporting the environment starts at home. Plant pollinator friendly plants in your garden (or, if you don’t have a garden, on your windowsill or balcony) and watch as your outdoor space comes to life. Not only will the plants look and smell lovely, but you’ll be helping the over 1,500 species of insect that live in the UK.

Eat more sustainably

Changing your diet to become more sustainable is an easy way to become more environmentally friendly. Whether you make a resolution to shop locally, eat less red meat, eat more seasonal produce, or even grow your own food, it all makes a difference.

Here are five ways to eat more sustainably, as well as a downloadable seasonal produce calendar.

Repair your clothes

The UK throws away 300,000 tonnes of clothing every year, which amounts to 1/3 of clothing going to waste rather than being reused or recycled. This year, why not try and repair your clothes rather than binning them and buying something new. It’ll save you money and also stop more waste ending up in landfill.

If you’re not sure where to get start, Hampshire Libraries run workshops teaching clothing repairs. If you do have to throw away your clothes, either donate them if they’re in good condition, sell them, or recycle them instead.