By Michael Hayes Rotary Club of Conroe April 4, 2025

Rotary celebrates as its April theme Environmental Month. It would be easy to say that Environment means all that is outside, particularly since the first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, and has been celebrated worldwide since.  

The year 1970 was a momentous year for the health of the world we live in.  Not only was it the year of the first Earth Day, but it was also the year that President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Today, Rotary International lists the Environment as one of its seven primary areas of focus. It funds small and large projects, spending millions of dollars on projects which are created by Rotary Clubs to address environmental needs.  The money for those projects comes from donations made by Rotarians to support projects in those areas of focus.   Local clubs also support local projects, from tree planting projects, river cleanups, beach sweeps, recycling days; Rotarians around the globe are helping to make this world a healthier place.

An example of what you might do to affect your local environment could include planting a pollinator garden.  Conroe is blessed with butterflies, and a pollinator garden helps ensure their survival during the summer.  Hummingbirds, whether they are migrating or summer residents, are also attracted to the same flowers as butterflies.  Another action is removing invasive species like Chinese tallow and replacing it with something beneficial like mulberry which feeds the birds each spring.

Maybe it is time for a vegetable garden.  Homegrown vegetables are good for the environment, good for you and your family, and good for your finances.  Even if you are limited in space, lettuce in a small container in a window qualifies as a garden.  Use your imagination, improve your health, and grow your personal satisfaction.

Doing something for the environment goes beyond doing something outside.  April is also a time for your personal environment.  Actions that make your environment better are those things that reduce your personal stress and anxiety.  You know what they are better than anyone. 
I know people for whom spring cleaning is more than a saying.  It is gives them peace of mind.  For some, spring cleaning restores the order that they need.  For others, knowing that for right now, everything is clean gives them peace of mind.  Some people decide that ending bad habits, or things that are limiting them, constitutes spring cleaning.  What better time than Environment month to clean up your personal environment!

Another part of your environment to consider are those interactions in the world around you.  Are you setting the example you want the rest of the world to see?   Are you interacting with people that are healthy for you?  Sometimes adjusting our relationships is necessary to improve our environment.  It is not necessary to end relationships that are not working, simply increase the distance and reduce frequency of interaction!
So, let’s make this Environmental month work for us.  Let’s make some sustainable changes to our world, both inside and out!

The Rotary Club of Conroe meets at noon on Tuesdays at Honor Cafe in Conroe. 

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