Stop watering your lawn.

"I never water my lawn, which saves water in summer when the environment needs it the most. Even with no irrigation, my lawn looks great. Here's how I do it:

1. Fertilize twice a year with weak (less than 10% N), slow-release organic fertilizer to boost the organic content of the soil. Organic matter absorbs and retains moisture in the soil like a sponge.
2. Add lime to the fertilizer counteract New England's acid rain.
3. Mow the lawn tall. Taller grass shades the soil better, preserving natural moisture and inhibiting weed germination.
4. Leave the clippings on the lawn.
5. Keep the lawnmower blade sharp. This cuts the blades of grass clean instead of ragged, reducing moisture loss after mowing.
6. Over-seed in September with drought-tolerant grass seed.
7. Never use pesticides. They kill the worms that aerate and fertilize the soil." - Paul L

Prize: A professional family photoshoot from
renowned photographer Dominic Costa of Dom Miguel.
Valued at $1,800.

Create recycled art.

"My favorite earth saving tip is a project that I do with my art students. Students began by coiling magazine pages to create a round coaster type formation. Once that was glued to the bottom of a reused can, they could begin coiling up and around the sides (to form the vase walls). They coiled and glued the magazine pages all the up until they reached the top.

The vases came out great! Parents and students loved them and have used them for all sorts of things. This is definitely a great project that can be done in the classroom or at home. I would recommend parents grabbing a few old magazines and try it with their children!" - Rachel R.

Prize: Patagonia Family Pack, which includes two top-of-the-line fleece men's and women's jackets, and two backpacks.
Valued at $395.

Grow and cut your own flowers.

"Grow your own flowers instead of buying them at the store. Getting a package of seeds to your house uses a lot less resources than shipping bouquets from other parts of the world." - Sarah M.

Prize: $50 gift certificate to CLF's Energy Federation Incorporated online store.