Cinara Marquis
I find that whenever I am in nature I always feel more content, and I’m not the only one- seven out of ten children surveyed in April 2017 say that they would rather explore the woods than play on neat grass. These kids, and even the adults in the study rate contact with nature as extremely important for bettering their physical and mental health. But many families in urban areas don't have access to nature reserves or even parks and gardens. This can negatively impact a cities' sense of community and make people feel less at home. Not only does picking up litter help to build a healthier city but it protects the wildlife and the ecosystem. Community gardens too allow for the creation of social ties and a greater sense of community. Alongside protecting the environment too and reducing run-off these connections help reduce crime, and empower residents, allowing them to feel safe in their neighborhoods. There is much more I could touch upon but I encourage you to do more research yourself- I ask for more opportunities and outreach, for more gardens and anti-litter efforts. I want a future that is clean and natural- it may be too late for me but it isn’t for my kids, grandkids and the youth of the future.
