Green Homes Las Vegas Undressed

Green Oceans Las Vegas

Photo by Paulo Brandao – Flickr

June 8th was World Ocean Day and the Nature Conservancy presented a simple list of things that we can do to help our oceans. “World Ocean Day was established by the United Nations to help create awareness about our seas, their importance to people, and the growing threats they face,” said Lynne Hale, director of The Nature Conservancy’s global marine program. 

Photo by only_point_fives’s – Flickr

Our oceans should not be taken for granted. The oceans provide food and economic opportunities. The barrier beaches, coral reefs, and wetlands provide protection from storms. 

You’ll find that many of the suggestions are about going green. You might ask yourselves if you can really impact the oceans since Las Vegas is a city in the desert. This is all about setting roots in our culture and about the importance of being good stewards of our Planet. Taking action creates a domino effect; it can inspire others to take action.

Reduce your plastic consumption

Our beaches are littered with items made of plastic; so buy reusable shopping bags and water bottles.

Photo by por2able – Flickr

Make informed seafood choices

This is about choosing sustainable seafood. We have to stop overfishing certain species so that they have a chance to increae their numbers. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a seafood guide that helps you support ocean friendly seafood.

Photo by AngelaEngel – Flickr

Dispose of chemicals properly

Never pour chemicals, pharmaceutical, oil or paint into your drains or toilets. Las Vegas does a good job in this area since we are all aware of the Lake Mead water connection. The fish symbol reminders that you find next to street drains are a nice touch in Vegas.

Photo by Vanessa Pike-Russell’s – Flickr

Choose green detergents and household cleaners

I’ll do a post on green detergents this week.

Photo by Eustaquio Santimano’s – Flickr

Get the dirt on you beachside retreat

Before you stay in a hotel on the coast, ask the staff what happens to their sewage and swimming pool water, and if they source their restaurant fish from sustainable sources. It doesn’t hurt to ask; you might get them to move in the right direction, if they haven’t already.

Photo by worldsurfer – Flickr

Find out the source of your food

Buying local, organic food reduces your carbon footprint, supports the local economy and reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizers that end up not just in your stomach, but as run-off in rivers and oceans, too.

Fill your yard with native species

Reducing the amount of grass in your lawn by planting native shrubs and flower beds will provide a better habitat for birds and other wildlife and require far less water and fertilizer, which can seep into the oceans. You can learn a lot from a trip to the Garden Trails at the Springs Preserve.

Keep your beach visit clean

When visiting the beach, stay off fragile sand dunes, take your trash with you and leave plants, birds and wildlife for everyone to enjoy.

Photo by Sam and Ian – Flickr

Choose alternatives to coral

Whether shopping for jewelry, household décor or accessories for your fish tank, do your part to leave fragile coral reef habitats untouched by buying products that aren’t made of real coral.

Photo by Michael Dawes’ – Flickr 

Celebrate our oceans

Whether you live inland or on the coast, we are all connected to the ocean; take the time to organize or participate in activities that restore and celebrate the ocean, and help support The Nature Conservancy’s ocean conservation work.   

You can find much more on going green in my posts at Green Homes Las Vegas Undressed.