Great Gifts that Give Back

This holiday season there are many choices for great gift ideas.  However, if you are in the market for gifts that give back to environmental organizations or to the environment, here are a few suggestions:

For kids:

National Wildlife Federation and World Wildlife Fund allow you to “adopt” an animal.  Various packages ranging from $30-$100 include plush animals, informational cards about the adopted animal, sticker books, etc.  The adoptions are symbolic and proceeds go to protect wildlife in various areas. 

National Wildlife Federation also offers great magazines for kids ages 1 and up:

Wild Animal Baby is for children ages 1-4

Big Backyard is suitable for children ages 3-7

Ranger Rick is geared towards children ages 7 and up.

All 3 magazines are $19.95 per subscription and offer 10 issues per year.

http://www.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/Default.aspx?sc=AWY1200WC913

http://www.shopnwf.org/index.jsp?&sSource=94920&kw=

National Geographic offers a variety of educational games and toys that range in price from $9.95-$139.95.  Gifts from The National Geographic Store support conservation missions as well as cultural preservation and education.

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/index.jsp?code=

For the women on your list:

A unique and inexpensive gift is a plantable seed calendar by Botanical Paperworks.  These calendars are crafted with seeded paper that can be planted after the calendar is used.  These calendars range in price from $9.95-$19.95.

http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/catalog/stationery-gifts/plantable-seed-calendars

If you are searching for something very special, the Belle Bonne Tree of Life medallion necklace is a beautiful choice.  The necklace is fashioned out of 100% recycled sterling silver.  A portion of the proceeds from necklace sales is donated to support The Nature Conservancy’s conservation efforts worldwide with a special emphasis on helping to reduce the effect of climate change on our planet.  This special necklace is $99.

http://www.bellebonne.com/?act=Collections&id=11c

For the men on your list:

Purchases made through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission help conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats.  NC Wildlife offers a variety of gift items ranging from artwork, books and guides.  They also publish Wildlife in NC magazine which would make a great gift for the outdoorsman in your family.  The subscriptions are an affordable $12 a year or you can purchase a 3 year subscription for $30. http://www.ncwildstore.com/