By Sherry Anders

Shirley is a special place – we hear owls calling from our back yards, drive by herons fishing in streams on our way through town, and find traffic jams more often caused by wild turkeys crossing the road than by rush hour commuters. At any given moment, we are within minutes of several hiking trailheads and canoe launches. The thirteen miles that comprise our eastern border are formed entirely by the Nashua and Squannacook Rivers, which have earned prestigious federal designation as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. The water in our homes comes from aquifers protected by the natural green infrastructure of our forests and floodplains. We have a town community garden, drive-by farm stands, and neighbors who offer us fresh eggs. We have a lot to be grateful for, and as the natural world faces rising challenges from extreme weather events, regional development pressures, and pollution, there is still much we can do here in our little corner to contribute to the health of our town and our planet.

This year’s Earth Day Theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” So much begins right here at home. This Earth Day, take time to reflect on what matters to you and how we can shape our future through collective action. Here are 10 ways you can make a difference:

Volunteer: Local groups and organizations welcome volunteers to help plant pollinator gardens, clear trails, monitor water quality, pull water chestnuts on the river, and stuff envelopes. Contact: Shirley Greenway Committee, Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), North County Land Trust (NCLT), and People of Ayer Concerned About the Environment (PACE) to find out more. Broaden your scope by signing up for “Nature Groupie” to receive a list of regional opportunities.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Focus on repairing items, buying secondhand, and reducing single-use plastics to minimize landfill waste.

Sustainable Transport: Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation to reduce emissions.

Eat Locally and Sustainably: Support local farmers to reduce transportation emissions and reduce consumption of meat and dairy.

Composting: Start a compost pile to reduce food waste sent to landfills.

Energy Efficiency: Switch to LED lighting, use energy-efficient appliances, and consider renewable energy sources for your home.

Water Conservation: Install low-flow showerheads and toilets, and fix leaks.

Plant Natives and Reduce Pesticides: Plant natives to support local pollinators and other wildlife that depend on native plants for survival. Reduce or eliminate pesticides that seep into our waterways and harm the beneficial insects that pollinate our food and drive the food web.

Advocate Locally: Attend town meetings, join local environmental boards, and encourage local government to invest in green infrastructure.

“Lights Out”: Switch to motion sensors, timers, and dimmers for outdoor lights, shield outdoor lights to direct light downward, and use warm-colored LED bulbs (3000K or lower) to reduce the harmful impacts of light pollution on migratory birds, natural ecosystems, and human health.