Learning to garden helps children learn to love nature. (Photo by Natalie Wickman)

Children rely on their parents to teach them about important things. It’s up to you to teach your children to respect Mother Earth.

Here are some tips.

Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

Anderson says one of the simplest ways to teach your children to be environmentally friendly is to reduce, recycle and reuse. Take your reusable bags with you when you go grocery shopping. Donate your outgrown clothes to Goodwill and other charities. And, recycle your paper, aluminum and plastic at home.

Children can help with many of these efforts. They can carry reusable bags into shopping centers for you and place items into recycling bins at home. As a family, you can talk about how you can get by with less.”

Use Nature for Recreation

Another way you can encourage children to love nature is to get out and enjoy it. This can include taking hikes, utilizing some of Milwaukee’s great bike trails, camping and visiting our county park system for picnics and to explore the world around you.

The natural world is one of the best environments for children to explore, absorb and enjoy. Nature provokes children into thought, action and formulating their own ideas.”

You can’t underestimate the power of getting out in the world together and exploring it. It will leave a lasting impression on your children.”

Garden

Gardening can be another way to teach children to love nature. It allows them to get their hands dirty and realize that working with the earth and caring for plants can not only be enjoyable but rewarding.

There is no greater sense of pride for children than having them be able to pick a vegetable that they helped plant, water and care for. It shows them the power of nurturing living things.