As Earth Day approaches, it's easy to get caught up in climate change anxiety. With regular reports of raging wildfires and warming oceans, it can feel daunting and even pointless to take any climate action at all – as if it's already too little, too late.
But the truth is, small actions CAN add up. Whether you're adding native pollinator plants to your garden, biking to work a few days a week or reducing your plastic packaging, it all contributes to a greener world. In the RVCA's own work, we rely on small actions from thousands of supporters to keep our on-the-ground conservation efforts going.
And those small actions have certainly added up: they've helped plant 7.4 million native trees, naturalized 37,000 metres of shoreline and protected 8,500 acres of forests, wetlands and shorelines through our charitable partner, the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.
That's no small thing.
And thanks to these actions, our watershed is still relatively healthy: 66% of the watershed is natural, with forests covering 29% and wetlands covering 23%. Our water quality is generally stable, and, thanks to Foundation support, our restoration programs help improve it every day. Each year we add thousands of native trees and plants to the landscape, while conserving vulnerable natural lands so they can continue providing green infrastructure services like capturing carbon, reducing runoff, bolstering biodiversity and providing hope for local and planetary sustainability long into the future.
Our close partnership with the RVCF means more than 90% of the Foundation's revenues go right back into our on-the-ground programs. We work together to ensure maximum funds are actively working to reduce climate change impacts every day.
There IS hope, and you CAN make a difference. Consider planting an Earth Day tree or adopting an acre for only $25, signing up for $5 monthly donations or just making a small one-time donation of your choosing knowing nearly every penny plants the seeds of a better future.
This Earth Day, embrace your hope for a sustainable planet and let climate action conquer climate anxiety once and for all. Take action at www.rvcf.ca.
