The way I see it, we've abused our planet for so long that it's now time for all of us to give back. The Green movement is about educating people on how their Carbon Footprint effects our planet now and in the future, but there are also things we can do to reverse the damage we've already done. Volunteering your time to help clean up the environment is a great way to do just that. There are many local organizations that organize environmentally-minded volunteer programs to clean up trash, rebuild homes for the less fortunate, and help build and maintain parkland in your local community. Contact your local city officials to find out more.

Taking a vacation to work for free isn't most people's idea of a vacation, but "Eco-tourism" is quickly becoming a popular activity. These type of volunteer vacations can be a fun and rewarding way to spend time with your family, and are less expensive than a normal vacation. Two of the more popular organizations for Eco-tourism are the Sierra Club and the World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).

THE SIERRA CLUB

The Sierra Club offers many service trips all around the country. These trips range from building campsites in YellowStone National park to helping scientists study Humpback whales in Alaska. They are exciting, fun, and cheaper than a standard vacation. For more information visit www.sierraclub.org.

WORLD-WIDE OPPORTUNITIES ON ORGANIC FARMS

The World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an organization that coordinates volunteer work on various farms, vineyards and national parks all over the United States in exchange for lodging and food. They are free vacations and give people an opportunity to learn how farms, vineyards and national parks operate. They range from cattle farms in the Midwest to vineyards in Oregon. For more information visit www.wwoofusa.org.

THE FACTS

Volunteer vacations can be a fun and rewarding way to spend time with your family, and are less expensive than a standard vacation.