New Environmental Group Looks to Expand, Better North Canton

Ever heard of a support group for those who are environmentally minded — or those who are just trying to become more Earth-friendly?

Turns out, there's one right here in North Canton and organizers hope to take on more members and expand the group.

Let's Care North Canton founder Shelley Cobb views the fledgling group as a support system to educate people through Facebook, Twitter and the Let's Care North Canton website, as well as provide an avenue to take action to help the environment.

"I really want the members to guide the direction of North Canton," Cobb said when she met with North Canton Patch inside this week.

She says education is the first step in making Earth-friendly decisions. The Perry Township school teacher, North Canton resident and Miami University graduate student pointed to one example that backs that theory.

Cobb had conducted a pilot study in North Canton in which she monitored residents' recycling habits. She took note of which residents used the curbside recycling program through the city and identified those who didn't. 

When she spoke face to face with the ones who didn't, and offered them a recycling bin to begin recycling, nine out of 10 started recycling and continued with it.

"That little bit of support they got ... was all they needed," she said. "So that, I think, can carry over to anything."

Cobb encourages North Canton residents (and those in surrounding communities) to check out the group, peruse the website, "like" it on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

Becoming a member doesn't come with a fee, nor does it come with an obligation to attend outings or anything else. Members can be as active as they like, or they can quietly observe and learn through online updates.

The group has planned an outing for July 29 at the Hoover Park Connector Trail in which group members will hike and record every animal and insect species they see. During the "bioblitz," members will take photos and videos, or just create lists of what they see.

"If individuals are aware of those things, they're more likely to protect the area they live in," she said.

Cobb said she'll organize similar outings in the future, possibly to organic grocery stores outside of Stark County.

Cobb recently became a blogger for North Canton Patch and plans to use the news site as another avenue to inform the community about environmental issues.

In the meantime, she offered some advice for people who want to make simple life changes today:

• Buy organic.
• Try composting.
• Recycle.
• Give away things you don't use so others can use them.
• Plant native Ohio plants and trees.
• Unplug anything not in use.