When you ask people why they moved to Reston, you're likely to hear "for the trees" as often as any other reason. Many people say living in Reston is like living in a park. All of us share the special privilege of living in a community that was founded on the principles of preservation and appreciation of natural areas.  With that special privilege comes the responsibility to care for Reston’s natural areas so that future generations will be able to enjoy the very real benefits the natural areas and the environment provide to the community.

 

What can you do to preserve Reston’s environment for future generations?

 

1.     Volunteer!  Reston Association provides wonderful opportunities for you and your family to help maintain and protect our environment while learning all about environmental protection.  See the RA website for volunteer opportunities:  https://www.reston.org/InsideRA/VolunteerOpportunities/NaturalResourceVolunteers/Default.aspx?qenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d&fqenc=j1xqX3FCgDvSHcL%2fpKZ5qg%3d%3d

2.    Learn about the 8 banned invasive exotic plants in Reston:  http://www.reston.org/LinkClick.aspx?qenc=ShZJAGgkmIreD0Gwy7Xt2m36GS8S3pY%2fXooes78DNhA%3d&fqenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d .  If you have any of these plants on your property, remove them and replace them with native plant alternatives. 

3.    Install rain barrels and/or rain gardens to help reduce and slow run off entering Reston’s streams and lakes. 

4.    Plant native trees, shrubs and flowers; this will help maintain our local ecosystem.  See Reston’s “Naturescaping” publication for information:  http://www.reston.org/LinkClick.aspx?qenc=ShZJAGgkmIpgxmEK0tpopixSD7x4fG7cJ5V4LCUOqpg%3d&fqenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d

5.    Start a compost pile for kitchen scraps and yard debris; use the compost to top dress your vegetable garden, ornamentals and lawns.  See this publication for more information:  http://www.reston.org/LinkClick.aspx?qenc=ShZJAGgkmIqTzgV6Ou1Wv08X3kmcmIWGPdb0v11huyc%3d&fqenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d

6.    Remember to keep all yard debris on your own property, away from RA natural areas.  For more information, see  http://www.reston.org/LinkClick.aspx?qenc=ShZJAGgkmIrIy4lvYRZp23Q7S0WNzVMBzfmKtFQvA%2bM%3d&fqenc=HzT9ACzZbNs%3d .

7.    Use “green” or biodegradable cleaners at home to help protect our watershed.  Making your own green cleaners will allow you to reuse containers – eliminating the need to purchase a new plastic container each time you purchase cleaning products.

8.    Use reusable shopping bags for all your shopping, not just groceries. 

9.    Reduce:  What products or containers can you eliminate from your life?  An easy place to start is with take out or restaurant boxes for leftovers.  Simply bring your own reusable container and swear off the Styrofoam clamshells.

10. Reuse:  What can you reuse?  Start a children’s clothing “sharing” co-op and pass those good clothes on to younger children.  Keep commercial glass jars with lids and reuse them to store leftovers in the fridge – no worries about chemicals from plastic containers!

11. Recycle:  Take the extra few minutes to recycle everything that can be recycled.  Break down those cardboard boxes and put them out for recycling, not trash pick up.

12.  Pass on good environmental habits to your children and young neighbors.