By Tara Rappleye, Program Director

Did you know that Girl Scouts are twice as likely as non-Girl Scouts to say they take action to protect the environment?  That’s 51 percent versus 23 percent in a national sampling of girls!  And 49 percent say that a personal experience in nature has made them appreciate it more.  Girl Scouts have a true love for the great outdoors!

Providing opportunities and engaging activities – both outdoors and in – to learn about environmental stewardship, conservation, and responsibility is SO Girl Scouts! Whether she’s learning about endangered wildlife, developing creative recycling projects, or working toward a grade-level award, a Girl Scout goes “green” and takes action to make a difference every day.

Recognized annually on April 22, Earth Day provides a perfect opportunity to share why caring for the environment is important.  And with spring time right around the corner (thank goodness!), we know you are ready to get your troop outside and involved in the community. There are lots of great Take Action projects that relate to animals, nature, recycling, and being an agent of change for our planet.

Here are some ideas to get you planning….

Get your Girl Scout Daisies into the garden with a delightful Take Action project for the 3 Cheers to Animals Journey.  Girls can earn the Clover Petal by making a Coffee Can Birdhouse out of recyclable materials, all while learning how to use resources wisely, and how to take care of animals.

Part of being a Household Elf and earning the Household Elf Badge is reusing and recycling. Girl Scout Brownies can have fun being crafty and make Water Bottle Birdfeeders out of recycled and reused materials as they help care for backyard birds.

Girl Scout Juniors will learn all about wild animals and how to protect their habitat, and can even make their own Toad Home, earning the Animal Habitats Badge.

This Earth Day and beyond, join Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines in making awesome things happen for our planet.  Whether girls are planting new trees, learning about fossil fuels and renewable sources of energy, or taking a hike in the outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, it’s easy to go GREEN with Girl Scouts!

Want to show off the beautiful birdhouse your girls create?

The JC Raulston Arboretum on the campus of North Carolina State University is having a Birdhouse Competition Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2.   The competition is free and Birdhouse Builders also receive a free ticket to the Raulston Blooms.  Enter your Girl Scout spirit and show off your recycled and reused birdhouse!

Be sure to let us know about your Earth Day Take Action projects.  Send your photos and notes to Tara Rappleye, program director, at trappleye@nccoastalpines.org.