A new year often brings a chance to reset – fresh calendars, new goals, and renewed motivation. January invites us to reflect on where we’ve been and where we hope to go. But while our schedules turned over on January 1, the challenges facing our planet did not.  

When we think about conservation, it’s easy to imagine distant rainforests and melting ice caps. While these places matter deeply, conservation doesn’t only happen across the glob...it happens much closer to home. It lives in everyday choices and small habits, and moments of curiosity shared with family and friends. So instead of making big, overwhelming resolutions, consider a few gentle shifts that fit into your daily life. This year doesn’t need a brand-new you. It simply needs a more intentional one.

Spend More Time Noticing Nature

Conservation begins with awareness. Take a moment to notice the living world around you; whether it’s a bird on your morning walk, the changing seasons in your backyard or the pollinators visiting a neighborhood garden. Slowing down in this busy world can help us reconnect with nature in ways that feel personal and meaningful. When we notice, we care. And when we care, we are more compelled to act.  

Move Through the World More Thoughtfully

Thoughtful movements look different for everyone. For some, it might mean walking or biking more often. For others, it could be visiting a park, hiking a local trail, or enjoying time at the Zoo. These moments remind us that we are part of nature, not separate from it.  

Be Mindful About Consumption and Waste

Being mindful about what we use and throw away isn’t about perfection or guilt. 

It’s about intention. 

Using what you already have, reducing unnecessary purchases, and thinking about where products come from and where they end up can make a meaningful difference. Choosing items that align with your values, within your means, helps support a healthier planet over time.  

Learn Something New About the Natural World

Learning doesn't have to be formal. It might come from reading a book, watching a short video, listening to a podcast, or simply asking questions. The more we learn about animals, ecosystems, and the ways everything is connected, the more thoughtfully we move through the world.  

Make Space for Curiosity in Youth

Children naturally want to explore, ask questions, and make sense of the world around them. Encouraging that innate sense of wonder helps them build empathy, confidence, and a connection to the natural world.  

The Columbus Zoo offers special opportunities designed to nurture that curiosity in meaningful ways. ZooKids introduces younger learners to animals and ecosystems through hands-on discovery, while programs like EDGE and our Teen Volunteer Program invite older youth and teens to explore their interests and develop critical skills through participation and collaboration. 

Applications for the Teen Volunteer Program close March 31, 2026, making this a great time to get involved.  

By creating space for curiosity in youth, we help support the next generation of compassionate, informed conservation-minded leaders.  

Care for Nature in Everyday Places  

Care for the planet lives in everyday decisions and a willingness to care right where we are. Whether it's choosing to spend time in local greenspaces, supporting local businesses, using resources responsibly, or sharing what we learn with others, these actions shape how we show up for the world we share.  

So, as the year begins, instead of asking how you can change everything, ask how you can move through this same planet a little more thoughtfully. These intentions don’t require perfection – just consistency, curiosity, and care.  

And that commitment lasts far beyond the new year.