What Does Stewardship Mean to Us?

At Northern Rockies Nature Journaling, stewardship is at the heart of our mission. We believe in using nature journaling as a way to inspire individuals to care for and protect the environment. We can’t appreciate the beauty of nature without actively contributing to its preservation, which is why we want to have a highlighted focus on stewardship. As people engage with nature and with each other, we hope to inspire lasting stewardship that will benefit the environment we all share.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Reduce Reuse Recycle

This Month’s Stewardship’s Focus:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!


Why is Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling Important:

This is one of the most common environmental hashtags out there, but seriously give it some thought! I know we all try our best to be sustainable, but have you ever thought about where your trash goes after you throw it away? Most of it ends up in landfills, where it can sit for hundreds of years, or worse—pollutes our oceans and natural spaces. The more we throw away, the more we harm the environment. But by practicing the “3 R’s”—reduce, reuse, and recycle—we can cut down on waste, conserve natural resources, and protect wildlife. These simple actions also help save energy, reduce pollution, and fight climate change. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making smarter choices every day. Together, we can create less waste and a cleaner planet for all!


Tips and Tricks to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle:

Reduce what you don’t need.

  • Start by asking yourself: “Do I really need this?” Cutting back on single-use items like plastic utensils, straws, or over-packaged snacks can make a big difference. Buying in bulk or choosing products with less packaging helps reduce the amount of trash we create.

Reuse items whenever you can.

  • Before throwing something away, think about how it might be used again. Glass jars can be turned into storage containers, scrap paper can be used for notes, and old clothes can be donated, repurposed, or turned into cleaning rags. Reusing saves money and reduces demand for new materials.

Recycle the right way.

  • Recycling only works when it’s done properly. Make sure you’re putting clean, accepted materials (like paper, cardboard, cans, and certain plastics) into your recycling bin. Check local guidelines, because recycling rules can vary by area. Contaminated or incorrect items can actually hurt the recycling process.

Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers.

  • Ditch the disposable stuff and switch to reusables! A sturdy tote bag, refillable water bottle, and washable food containers go a long way in reducing everyday waste.

Buy secondhand or sustainably made products.

  • Shopping at thrift stores, online resale shops, or buying from companies that use recycled materials supports a circular economy and reduces the need to make new products from scratch.

Compost food scraps if you can.

  • Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Fruit peels, veggie scraps, and coffee grounds can be turned into nutrient-rich soil instead of being tossed in the trash. It’s a great way to reduce waste and give back to the earth!

Think before you toss.

  • Many items can be fixed, donated, or recycled in special programs instead of being thrown away. Electronics, batteries, and textiles often have specific recycling drop-offs—check your local area for options.

Spread the word!

  • Talk to your friends, family, or neighbors about how they can reduce waste, too. The more people who get involved, the bigger the impact we can make together!

Taking care of our planet starts with everyday choices. Reducing, reusing, and recycling isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being mindful. Each time you make a more sustainable choice, you’re helping build a cleaner, greener future. Let’s work together to make less waste and more impact!

How To Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in Your Nature Journal:

Got an old notebook lying around, or a journal half-filled with beginner pages? Use it for rough sketches or warm-up practice pages.

Decorate journals with found natural objects like fallen leaves or pressed flowers—no need to buy stickers or decor!

Recycle scrap paper or print only essential references for field trips.

Try planning your journal digitally before putting pen to paper—this helps you avoid excess drafts.

Get creative with packaging! Wrappers, tags, and scraps can all be repurposed into beautiful “junk journal” spreads.

Community Efforts:

Because we’re all in this together!

So, how did you do?

Email us your stewardship story for a chance to get featured on this website!

Did you try any of our tips, and if so, how did they work out? Did you have any other tips that we didn’t mention? This is one of the easiest stewardship idea’s we have to offer! Often, you’re subconsciously doing all of these things in your daily life, so hopefully we were able to bring some new ideas to your attention.

More Resources

More Resources

Interested in learning more about how to be a good environmental steward?

Check out these websites for more info!

https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/

  • Use this to get informed, find volunteer opportunities, take online action, or donate! Check out their “Research” page! They have articles on any environmental issue you’re interested in to learn more about what can be done.

https://www.earthday.org/

  • While this website is intended as a resource for teaching environmental studies, it still offers so many resources that anyone can utilize. Learn about their initiatives (with articles, quizzes, toolkits, etc.) and see what action you can take.

https://earth911.com/category/

  • On this site, you can listen to podcasts, read “featured courses”, learn how to live sustainably, and take action all in one place! Most importantly, they have so many tips to offer on how to be better stewards; you’ll definitely be able to implement something in your daily life.