Think Green
I grew up in the farm and forest country of Massachusetts and Vermont. Nature's in my blood, you might say. But I'm no scientist. Only in recent years have I begun learning the names of trees and birds.

During the two years I worked as a Secretary for the Pennsylvania Field Office of The Nature Conservancy, I helped folks with computer problems and managed volunteers in office tasks, but didn't get a chance to work outdoors very much, except for a few volunteer workdays where I was myself a volunteer. I used to say that I was like an art lover who never studied art, I don't know what I'm looking at, but I know what I like!

Sustainable Development
Making environmental consciousness profitable is essential to making headway against the depletion of the world's natural resources. Don't forget the needs of people, in efforts to save habitat for plants and animals. The worldwide habitat conservation efforts of The Nature Conservancy and other groups are building local support for their projects by involving local people in teaching others how to be earth-friendly and learn new ways to use their natural resources without destroying their (and our) heritage.

Build Partnerships
I have long thought that the outreach efforts of environmental groups would benefit from seeking partnerships with other social service organizations. I once suggested that groups planning fundraising events for The Nature Conservancy should be encouraged to plan an event, such as a sponsored work party, whose proceeds would equally benefit two organizations. I thought that some group might plan to pick up trash or make other improvements in Philadelphia's vast park system, and obtain donation pledges in exchange for their labor, and that by splitting the proceeds between an environmental group, such as The Nature Conservancy, and a group which more directly serves people's needs, such as Habitat for Humanity, all of the groups involved would gain strength from working with one another. During my stay at The Nature Conservancy I became a volunteer for the North Central Philadelphia chapter of Habitat for Humanity. One day of cutting linoleum convinced me I'd be more valuable in other ways.

Mailing Lists
I strongly recommend mailing lists for community activists of all types. Subscribe yourself to regional mailing lists as well as lists which relate to your special interests.

• Check out the Environment section of my Guide to Electronic Mailing Lists

Usenet News Groups
Usenet news groups are another important resource for community activists.

• If you're new to Usenet news groups, please check out my Guide to Usenet News Groups.
• If you're in Pennsylvania or the greater Philadelphia area, please check out my Usenet News Groups For and About Philadelphia Region.
• News groups:
  • pa.environment for discussion of Pennsylvania environmental issues
  • alt.org.sierra-club
  • phl.outdoors
  • phl.weather
  • rec.birds
  • rec.boats.marketplace
  • rec.boats.paddle
  • rec.skiing.alpine
  • rec.sport.volleyball
  • sci.astro
  • sci.astro.amateur
  • sci.astro.hubble
  • sci.astro.planetarium
  • sci.bio.conservation
  • sci.bio.ecology
  • sci.environment
  • sci.space.news
  • soc.org.nonprofit
  • soc.org.service-clubs.misc
  • talk.environment
  • upenn.environment

Green Resources

• The Toll-Free Environmental Directory
• Environmental Organization WebDirectory!
• Welcome to the Rainforest Action Network Home Page
• GreenLife Society - North American Chapter
• Arendal, Norway
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
• Recycling and Waste Exchange
• Brown Is Green
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Home Page
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Home Page

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Internet User's Guide

• Guide for Librarians, Parents, Teachers and Library Patrons

Electronic Mailing Lists

• Guide to Electronic Mailing Lists
• Mailing Lists for Librarians
• Mailing Lists for Teachers

Usenet News Groups

• Guide to Usenet News Groups

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This page written by Dave Butler, Computer Guide
dbut@voicenet.com
Technical Volunteer, Free Library of Philadelphia Logan Branch
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