每年, millions of people around the world join on Earth Day, 4月22日, to make a positive impact on our planet. But you don’t have to wait until Earth Day to make an impact.

You can make a difference in your community and the world every day with these ideas.
 

1. 种树

Planting trees is something we feel strongly about at Black Hills Energy. In Story City, Iowa, alone, we have helped plant more than 3,200 trees. 

Trees are great for the environment and a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day. 它们有助于保护土壤, they provide oxygen which improves air quality, 他们银河官网网址支持野生动物. +, a strategically planted tree can also save you 20% on your energy costs by providing shade and wind protection to your home. 记住，打电话 811 before you dig to identify buried utility lines.

What, you don’t have a tree to plant? 不用担心. 每年 we partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away 800 trees to our customers. Check back on Earth Day, 4月22日, to register for your free tree 在这里.
 

2. 捡起垃圾

Picking up trash may not be glamorous, but it’s an awesome way to make your community more beautiful. Removing trash also protects wildlife and prevents unwanted materials from leaching into the soil and water. 

It’s easy — gather a group of friends and family members, pull on some gloves and grab a trash bag. Our team in Colorado enjoyed doing just that at a nature area last year, 还有布莱斯维尔的团队, 阿肯色州, put in some time to beautify their community with a 城市垃圾收集活动.
 

3. 国内的可持续发展

T在这里 are simple things you and your family can do right at home to make our world more sustainable. 

扔掉塑料袋. 你知道美国人用什么吗 100 billion plastic bags each year, and it takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill? Plastic bags break down into microplastics, which contaminate oceans, wildlife, and the soil. Instead of using plastic bags, reuse clothe bags.

堆肥,. Food waste is a huge contributor to climate change. By collecting and composting food waste, you are not only creating nutrient rich soil, but you’re helping reduce waste that would otherwise be sent to the landfill.

不要用一次性水瓶 — buy a reusable bottle instead.  
 

4. 让你的账单无纸化

Get rid of the piles of paper in your house and cut down on needless waste by signing up for paperless bills. Start with your Black Hills Energy statement. To sign up for eBill just log in to your account (or create one if you don’t have one yet) and click on “Enroll in eBill.” 你也可以在这里报名.
 

5. 购买本地食物

By purchasing food grown 关闭 to home, you reduce the pollution created when products are shipped or trucked long distances. You’ll also be supporting producers in your community. 
 

6. 在家节约银河官网

Two good things will happen when you take steps to conserve. You’ll be helping the planet and your energy bills will go down. Simple steps such as getting your furnace inspected annually and installing a programable thermostat can go a long way. 我们随时准备帮助你 save money and energy all year long.
 

7. 考虑电动汽车

Electric vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gasses, making them a significant tool in the battle to keep our planet healthy. 我们的Ready EV计划 provides cash rebates to cover a significant portion of the cost of electric vehicle charging equipment and installation. Ready EV charger rebates are available to both residential and business customers receiving electric service from Black Hills Energy.

By incorporating some of these ideas into your everyday life, you’ll be making your world a healthier and more sustainable place. 大家地球日快乐!