Happy Valentine from Kids Saving the Rainforest

By Spokeskid Lexi, 12 Years Old

Hello again! It’s me, your faithful writer Lexi, here with another article. I have great news! My new school schedule this year leaves room for helping the environment even more! Starting this month, I will begin to give tours at the KSTR sanctuary, and try to educate those who take them. I am both nervous and excited, but overall I am so glad to be given the chance to seize this opportunity. I am, of course, afraid that I may get something wrong, but if that does happen, I know it won’t be the end of the world! It will take some training and experience and I’ll just keep trying until I get it right. I want more than anything to help both the people and the animals. I’m so grateful that I have the ability to do this, and hope to find more ways to help the animals, the rainforest, and our community in the future.

Friendly reminder to not feed the monkeys! (We know, Lexi, you tell us every article!)

With that being said, I’ve been away for a month. I went to the US to see friends and family for the holidays. I missed my old friends and was so happy to spend time with them, but while I was there I missed being able to care for—and even just see—the wildlife here in Costa Rica. Although there were, and are, many things I miss about the US, caring for our environment is my passion and I can do so much more here to directly impact its future. As a result, I am glad to be back and ready to find different ways to make this world a better place!

I wanted to share some tips for those who have less direct contact with nature and wildlife than I do—or even those who are here in Costa Rica with me. So, here are some very simple ways we can all help! I practiced these principles when I was in the US as I do here every day:

If someone asks you if you want a straw, decline. 500 MILLION straws are used every day in the US, for convenience only, and end up in landfills or the ocean.

Recycle—always, anything you can!

Try not to eat as much meat. Beyond the harm to animals, the harm to the environment from the amount of water needed to feed livestock and the waste they produce is eye-opening.
Make sure that when you buy eggs, they are from a farm that cares for and nurtures the chickens. And the eggs actually taste better, really!
Don’t throw trash on the ground—ever!

Take re-usable bags with you to the store. When you forget, ask for a box instead of a plastic bag, most stores have tons and they are easily recycled or re-used.

Adopt, don’t shop for pets! Puppy mills are horrible places, and there are so many sweet animals out there looking for forever homes (I should know, I have 5!)

I look forward to seeing you on a KSTR tour soon. Remember, if there’s any way you can help our planet, don’t be afraid to take action! Also, happy Valentine’s day…I don’t know about you guys, but the Earth is my valentine this year.