7 Jobs That Make the World a Better Place

Want to make a real difference in the world? Consider one of these seven "green" careers that help protect—and improve—our planet. Provided by Jobs at AOL.

  The following story was provided by AOLJobs.com  By Debra Auerbach for CareerBuilder Have you ever had an itch to quit your job and instead do work that makes a real difference in the world? In honor of Earth Day on April 22, we've compiled a list of seven jobs that help people live a better life—from the buildings they work and live in, to the energy that fuels their homes, to the air they breathe.  1. Conservation scientist: Conservation scientists are hired to help preserve and protect natural habitats. They usually work with landowners and federal, state and local governments to find the best ways to use and improve the land while conserving the environment.* If you’re looking for a green job in Richfield, check out our jobs page.  2…

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10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day All Year Long

Here are some eco-friendly ways to celebrate Earth Day any day!

Earth Day is Monday, April 22. Founded in 1970 in the U.S. as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth Day is now a globally celebrated holiday. More than one billion people in 192 countries will observe the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, according to the Earth Day Network. Although Earth Day is a great reminder to be environmentally conscious, there are plenty of simple ways you can celebrate the earth all year long. Here are just 10 ways you can be eco-friendly long after Earth Day is over: 1. Plant a tree. Planting a tree is perhaps the most common Earth Day activity, but you can plant a tree any day of the year. Trees produce oxygen and help reduce air pollution. A single tree can absorb 10 pounds of air pollutants a year, …

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Richfield Home & Garden Expo Returns in 2013

The event is at Richfield High School Feb. 16.

After a one-year hiatus, the once annual Richfield Home & Garden Expo returns to town from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Richfield High School. Richfield Visions, Inc., a local group that puts on the event each year, decided to take the one year break after low attendance at the 2011 show. This year's event boasts more than 50 home improvement professionals will be present to answer questions and give ideas. There will also be how-to demonstrations on eco-gardening, container gardening, tree care and tree preservation. Of course, representatives from the City of Richfield offices will be present to talk about housing, inspections, building codes and ordinances. There will also be a drawing for a new gas grill. The event is chaired …

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Go Green This Holiday Season: Tips for Reducing and Reusing

Reduce, reuse and recycle to make your holidays greener.

As we deck the halls this holiday season, the overabundance of wrapping paper, plastic packaging and miscellaneous bits and pieces can be overwhelming. All of this will soon result in overflowing trash cans and more crowded landfills. According to the Ecology Center, Americans throw away an additional five million tons of trash—25 percent more than usual—between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. How can we reduce our waste while still enjoying the season? Let’s look at ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly. Decorations Dina Manzo from HGTV sets up an edible tree on her back deck. The tree is festooned with ornaments made from apple slices, covered in peanut butter and sprinkled with birdseed, pretzels, and gingerbread men. Strings of…

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Earth Day: 10 Tips to Help You Be Green

Richfield Patch rounds up ideas to help readers be a little more eco-friendly.

April 22 is Earth Day, as it has been for over 40 years. And in the spirit of being green, Wood Lake Nature Center Director Karen Shragg provided readers with 10 great ideas this past year. Since being eco-friendly never goes out of style, we've compiled all her responsible tips right here: 1) Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners 2) Eggless Egg Salad Recipe 3) Keep Storm Drains Clean 4) Plant Native Trees 5) Picnic Without Paper 6) Reduce Car Trips 7) Throw a 'Green' Party 8) Solar Dry Your Sheets and Towels 9) Compost Fruit and Vegetable Leftovers 10) Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is Click on the blue title to see more on each tip. Put your own earth-friendly ideas in the comments section below! Happy Earth Day!

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Richfield Public Schools Prepare for 5th Annual Wellness Expo

This year's them is "Go Lean, Go Green."

After seeing roughly 550 attendees in 2011, the Richfield Public Schools District is gearing up for its fifth Community Wellness Expo on April 14. The event aims to encourage residents to get more involved—physically and mentally— in physical activities, healthy eating and taking better care of the environment. The morning event will feature mutliple vendors and demonstrations, with tips on how to go lean and green, with activities for all ages. From face painting and a kids Zumba class to a mile run with Superintendent Bob Slotterback, the event is open to anyone who wishes to come and join in the activities. In addition, canned food items will be collected for VEAP and old shoes are being collected for recycling by the Recycling …

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Nature Notes

Going Green

Wood Lake Nature Center's Karen Shragg talks about the importance of being green in a changing world.

The whole world is on a journey towards more and more modernization. However, this takes a toll on the earth’s ability to manufacture and store all of the waste from that technology. Ecological footprint data, which measures human impact on the planet’s resources, demonstrates the very real story of a modern world—led by the United States—which is demanding more resources than our planet can handle. For instance, as cell phones keep getting fancier, some estimates indicate that there are over 130 million cell phones that people need to get rid of every year. Where will they go? What about their toxicity? The system that is in place encourages consumption. For instance, when it is cheaper to buy a new clock radio than to fix one, lots of …

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