Did you know June is camping month? A month where we see the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. A month where everything becomes green and flourishes after springtime. A month where the nights become a bit warmer and we crave being one with nature. This should also be the month and serve as a reminder to treat our Earth with kindness and respect as we embark on our outdoor adventures. At Littlbug we take our responsibility to care for the Earth very seriously. We encourage and practice Leave No Trace principles and give back a portion of our profits to organizations that are devoted to caring for the Earth. Our own Littlbug stove and accessories practice safe burning in various environments like post natural disasters, camping, and backpacking.

Beyond this, there are ways each of us can contribute to help preserve this amazing place we call home. Here are 6 simple ways you can help contribute to aid in conserving our planet:

1. Help Out the Bees

Bees play a very important part in our ecosystem and their numbers continue to fall each year. Love honey? Well, if the bees go, so will your favorite sweetener. But don’t worry! You don’t have to become a beekeeper to help bees. Bees are pollinators and need pollinating plants to survive. To help them, plant some native regional wildflowers or grow vegetables that need bees to pollinate them like tomatoes or beets. A list of North American plants (trees, shrubs, flowers, garden plants, herbs and grasses) that bees need can be found here.

2. Always Be Prepared

Carry a bag with you when you are out and about to collect any trash you come across. This can be especially useful when you are out on the trails and find trash. Many wild animals actually ingest trash left by irresponsible hikers or campers, and become sick or even die. It's much easier to want to pick up the trash when you have something to carry it in. A good rule of thumb is to leave no trace, but if you do see trash, please pick it up. 

3. Reusables

Think outside the box when it comes to reusable items. Most of us have heard about reusable shopping bags and water bottles. But what other ways can we be creative in reducing unnecessary waste. Do you frequently pick up coffee to go? Check out this cool sustainable coffee cup or simply ask your barista if you can bring in your thermos from home to take your daily coffee with you.

4. Clothing Swap

Are you tired of your wardrobe? Chances are you’re friends are too. Instead of hauling your clothes to the thrift store or tossing them in the trash, call up some friends and ask if they want to rummage through your closet. Tell them to bring some of their outfits they’re tired of too. You never know, you may end up with a brand new wardrobe without spending a dime. As a bonus, you have an excuse to hang out with your friends and catch up so you can plan your next outdoor adventure.

5. Watch Your Water Usage

Sometimes we forget to pay attention when our water is running. We don’t let it run unnecessarily, but we might let it run more than is needed. Be mindful and turn the water off when it is not necessary, like while you’re brushing your teeth. Do you have plants to water? Fill up a bucket to use for watering while you wait for the water to warm up for your shower. Utilize a rain barrel or bucket to collect rainwater to water plants. There are so many different ways to conserve water. Here are 25 great ways to help better conserve water at home. 

6. Be a Smart Commuter

If you work in an office or need to drop kids off at school, ask around your office to see if you have a coworker that lives close by you could carpool to work, or check with other parents at school. This doesn't have to a daily thing, but even once a week when it’s convenient for both parties can help.

Do you find it hard to squeeze in exercising during the week? Consider biking to work a couple days a week during nicer weather. This gets your heart pumping, saves you dollars at the pump, and helps out the ozone layer.

Let’s all work together to help make our planet a better place. We call Earth our home, so let’s treat it like we can’t live without it because let's face it - we can't!