Earth Friends group forms on Pine Island
In January, a group of concerned island residents banded together to form a new organization they call Pine Island Earth Friends in hopes of making a difference.
“At first, we had big plans to make major changes in how island individuals and businesses treat the environment, but we quickly realized we needed to start with ourselves,” said group participant Barb Darling. “We are in the process of discovering earth-friendly practices in our own lives as well as learning to find reliable information and learning more about local business people who respect the earth through their business practices. When we have gathered enough information, it is our goal to share what we learn with the rest of our community to empower others to learn about and choose lifestyle changes as they wish.”
The 10 to 15 Earth Friends meet at Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery on Maria Drive in St. James City one morning a month and in addition to getting to know one another the group share their personal earth-friendly practices and the benefits derived not only for the sake of our local environment, but economically as well.
“As for my husband and I, we have reduced our waste that would end up in a landfill by as much as 50 percent and we also now hang the majority of our laundry out on a line to dry. Already we have seen a great savings in our electric bill from doing this one simple thing,” Darling said. “I also find that when I shop, I pay attention to things like packaging and look for fair trade items.”
Darling also said that she pays attention to where the products she purchases comes from.
“I try my best to buy locally grown produce. Not only does it benefit our local economy, but the closer something is produced to where it is delivered helps to save on fossil fuels as well,” said Darling. “In my opinion, if everyone made an effort to be more earth-friendly it wouldn’t take long before it turned into a big difference.”
According to the group’s mission statement, “A group of Pine Island residents discovered a common passion of respect for our earth and all the creatures who depend on her. Our passion revealed a hunger to learn and share local opportunities to make a difference.”
Other topics addressed by Earth Friends are ways to produce less garbage, using less water, energy and fuel, respecting the animals who share our earth, saving money and becoming more healthy through choices and honoring best business practices and refuse to exploit workers in consumer choices.
“One good example of an island business that is making a effort to be more earth friendly is Little Lilly’s Island Deli,” said Darling. “I was very pleased to see that they make an effort to recycle bottles and cans used by their customers, encourage people to bring re-fillable cups and glasses to their business and use to-go boxes that can easily break down in a landfill. I would love to see other island businesses do like wise.”
Pine Island Earth Friends meet on the second Saturday morning of each month at Earth and Spirit.
“Earth and Spirit is the perfect place to hold our meetings. Not only are they earth friendly, but the Lampitts also make an effort to sell fair trade products and those that are produced locally. All island men and women are welcome to join us at our meetings and currently our members range in age from college students to senior citizens,” Darling said. “These people bring with them a wide variety of backgrounds and current occupations, but we all share one thing in common, a desire to make a difference and I encourage others to come join us.”
For more information about Earth Friends, call Barb Darling at 283-0446.