Are you looking for some service project ideas to help your neighborhood look nicer? If so, you have come to the right place. Today, I will be going over service ideas that you can do for your neighborhood. Not only will these service ideas make your neighborhood nicer looking, but it also helps the environment. One of the biggest improvements you can do to your neighborhood is picking up litter. Litter is not only an eyesore, but it can harm plants, animals, people, and even start fires. Let's take a look at some other ways you can help improve your neighborhood.
Pick Up Litter
As I have already stated, picking up litter is one of the best service ideas you can do for your community. Places to pick up litter include parks, along roads, on sidewalks, and in rivers, ponds, or lakes. Make sure to wear gloves and be extra careful when picking up pieces of glass and other sharp objects. After you have picked up all the litter, properly dispose it or recycle some of it. Don't forget to properly throw away your own trash. You'll be making a difference to your neighborhood by cleaning up litter. Animals can become ill and die from litter laying around. Not only do animals swallow litter, but sharp objects can also injure animals. Litter can smother plants as well, and some litter can even start fires. Make it a habit to pick up any litter you see. You'll be doing a favor for the community and environment.
Plant Some Trees
You probably already know that trees produce oxygen and are essential for us human beings. But what you may not know is that trees also build soil and help soak up storm water before it can create a flood. Trees offer energy-saving shade that reduces global warming and create habitat for numerous animals. But that isn't all that trees do. A properly-planted, mature shade tree on the south or west side of your house can save you up to 25% on your summer air conditioning bills. It can also increase your property value by up to 20% with its beauty. Depending on what tree you plant, you may even get fruit or nuts. Make sure you ask for permission first for if you can plant a tree. Some cities require you to have a permit in order to plant one.
Plant Native Plants Along Highways and River Banks
Native plants are helpful for stabilizing river banks, reducing soil erosion, reducing the spread of non-native invasive plants, improving wildlife habitat, and alleviating the effects of wildfires. Make sure you only plant native plants because they are unlikely to be invasive or overly competitive with other native plants. Planting native plants will also protect at-risk species. There are many benefits to planting native plants along highways. Native plants will slow, absorb, and clean water that runs off the highway. They will serve as snow fences, catching snow rather than letting it drift across travel lanes. These plants will also provide important pollinator habitat adjoining to farm fields, orchards, and vineyards.
Start a Butterfly Garden
Butterfly gardening is designed to create an environment that attracts butterflies, as well as certain moths. A butterfly garden encourages butterflies and moths to lay eggs and therefore helps prevent certain butterflies from becoming extinct. To plant a butterfly garden, you'll need to find out what butterflies live in your neighborhood. You'll then need to research what types of flowers those butterflies like. Not only will planting a butterfly garden provide a home for butterflies, but it will also boost your curb appeal. Learn more about how to start a butterfly garden here.
Put out Bird Feeders and Birdhouses
Another idea for helping the environment of your neighborhood is to put out some bird feeders and birdhouses. This is especially important in the winter since it is harder for birds to find food and shelter. Make sure you place the bird feeders and birdhouses in a calm, quiet place. Find out what kind of birds are in your neighborhood so you know what bird food you should put out.
Update Signs on Local Trails
With permission, update the signs on local nature trails. If the signs are accurate, you can still take some time to clean and re-paint those signs. This simple community service idea will help improve your community.
Create a Habitat for Bees
Bees, especially honeybees, are important for our environment. Without bees, crops would not be pollinated, which means there wouldn't be enough food for us to survive. It is estimated that one-third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination mainly by bees. Unfortunately, bees are becoming endangered. You can help keep bees alive in your community by creating a habitat for them. You can make a little house for them, similar to a birdhouse, as well as plant flowers for them to pollinate. Try not to use insecticides on your property, as this can kill bees.
Buy or Make a Bench and Put It Somewhere It Is Needed
Benches are handy to have around. They provide a place for you to sit down, they look nice, and they are easy to care for. Consider making or buying an outdoor bench and putting it somewhere it is needed. Ask for permission to put it at the side of a pathway, at a park, or outside a building. This simple community service idea will be beneficial to many.
Help Repair Someone’s Home
Do you know someone in your neighborhood whose home is needing to be repaired? Ask them if you can help repair their home. This could include painting it, fixing broken pieces, and adding yard decorations.
Rake Somebody’s Lawn
Now is the time of year when the leaves will be falling off the trees. Find out if there is anyone in your community that needs their yard raked. Such people could include the handicapped, those who are sick, single parents, or those who are on vacation and aren't around to rake the leaves. Don't forget to rake the leaves off of your own lawn. Although leaves can be healthy for the environment, too many leaves can clog waterways, house pests, and cause mold to develop on the grass. Make sure you properly bag up the leaves.
Shovel Driveways and Sidewalks
The next time you are shoveling your driveway, try also shoveling the sidewalks. Find out if there is anyone in your neighborhood who would like their driveway or walkway shoveled as well. Similar to the previous community service idea, shoveling someone's driveway can be helpful for those who are too busy or ill to do it.
Start a Community Garden
Community gardens are places where people come together to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. You can easily create your own community garden by providing a space for it in your yard. There are so many benefits of growing food and plants in a community garden. Food grown locally reduces greenhouse gases produced by long-distance transportation of food. Gardens also support populations of pollinators such as bees. Not only do community gardens help the environment, but they also help people be less stressed and provide a time for socializing. Community gardens will teach people about how to grow their own food and the importance of keeping the environment healthy.
Keep Your Porch Clean
This next idea may not seem like it has to do with community service ideas, but it is actually very important for your community. First, clutter on your porch can blow away and cause litter to appear in your neighborhood. Second, a clean porch makes your curb appeal look nicer. Try to take the time to throw away items you don't need on your porch. Fix any broken parts of your deck, and repaint or stain your deck.
Educate People on How to Keep the Environment Clean and Safe
Find a program where you can teach people and children on how to keep the environment safe for animals, plants, and humans. Ways to keep the environment safe include picking up litter, growing your own food from gardens, providing homes for endangered species, and raking the leaves in yards. You could even organize a group to go around the neighborhood collecting trash and planting native plants.
Final Thoughts on Service Ideas
There are so many service ideas that can be helpful to your neighborhood. From shoveling someone's driveway to picking up litter, these service ideas are helpful for you, your neighbors, and the environment. A lot of these service ideas can be done in your own backyard. For example, you could plant some trees or create a butterfly garden for the butterflies. Although those service ideas cannot be used by the people in your community, it will help keep the environment healthy. Other service ideas that can help your neighborhood include updating signs along trails, picking up litter, and shoveling or raking someone's yard. I hope this article has inspired you to get out in your community and help others. Have fun!
