GET POLITICAL

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don’t let your voice be overshadowed by the shrill voice of the anti-environmental zealots. Tell your Senator and Representative that you care about nature and care enough to affect how you vote. Tell them not to play politics with the planet. It’s easy and quick -- go to ContactingtheCongress.org, which helps you find your representatives in Washington and tells you how to get in touch.

If your Representative is a Republican, ask him or her whether they support House Resolution 424, co-sponsored by 11 Congressional Republicans, that "expresses the commitment of the House of Representatives to conservative environmental stewardship," including "meaningful and responsible action" to address climate change.

If you are a Republican, you might want to connect with ConservAmerica, formerly known as Republicans for Environmental Protection. You can check them out here.

MAKE IT LOCAL

Start at home. Find your local Green group, such as a land trust, community garden, or group supporting environmental education at your local school. Go to a meeting in person.

To find a local land trust near you, go to findalandtrust.org.

LOOKING FOR A GREEN GROUP FRIENDLY TO CONSERVATIVES?

Do you think of yourself as a conservative? Do you want to connect with others like you who care about nature and global warming? There are many choices. The group Republicen has as its slogan, "Conservative and concerned about climate change? You're not alone." Or maybe you can join or start a local chapter of Young Conservatives for Energy Reform, lead by Michele Combs of South Carolina, daughter of the President of the Christian Coalition.

DO YOU HUNT OR FISH?

Hunting and angling groups contain some of the most passionate defenders of wildlife and wildlife habitat, are politically active, and can help lead the way to reconnect conservatives and conservation. There are scores of them, and people of all political persuasions will feel right at home. Consider connecting with a group such as the Boone & Crockett Club, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League, National Wildlife Federation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, or Trout Unlimited.