Good for You, Good for the Planet

When it comes to New Year's resolutions, goals related to health and wealth bubble to the top. Last year, a Pew Research Center survey about resolutions found that most people focus on either fitness or finances when they make commitments for the brand-new year ahead. To kick off 2026, we have five ideas for New Year's resolutions that are not only good for your wellness and wallet but also help protect the planet.

Connect With Nature

Spending time in nature doesn't cost a thing, and it's proven to be good for you. How does it help the planet? People protect what they care about, and they care about what they know. This year, get to know the plants and animals all around you by committing to spending time outside once a week, once a month, or however often makes sense for you. A stroll around the Inner Harbor counts, as does a visit to Harbor Wetland®, Masonville Cove, Patterson Park or any of Baltimore City's beautiful green spaces. There are plenty of great spots outside the city, too, including parks within a half-hour of downtown Baltimore.

Plant Something

Whether you're cultivating a single pot of herbs or an entire garden, getting your hands in some dirt is another way to connect with nature. You can volunteer with the National Aquarium's Conservation team to plant Atlantic white cedar saplings at Nassawango Creek Preserve or native wetland grasses along Baltimore shorelines. Join other local organizations like Blue Water Baltimore for volunteer tree plantings, too, or help increase the city's tree canopy by planting a free tree with TreeBaltimore. If you're feeling more ambitious, this can be the year that you make your yard or local public green space a certified wildlife habitat through the Aquarium's partnership with the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife program!

Clean Up

Collecting litter is one small step you can take to keep debris out of waterways and the ocean. Cleaning up trash contributes to healthier soil and water, which is better for people and animals alike. Resolve to take a bag and gloves or grabbers to collect trash when you're out and about, whether at the beach, in the woods, or around your neighborhood. The Aquarium's Conservation team also hosts cleanups at Masonville Cove and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in South Baltimore each year. These cleanups are typically held in spring and fall; check out our upcoming events or sign up for our newsletters so you're in the know when dates are announced.

Repair, Don't Replace

Skills like mending, darning and patching have fallen by the wayside as more of us just toss clothing that's torn or worn out. But repairing clothes, blankets, bags and more is one way to save money while keeping these items out of landfills. This year, explore free resources online to learn how to make simple repairs like stitching up a small hole or darning a sock. Repairing goes well beyond needles and thread, too. Chipped plates, wobbly table legs, stained rugs, tarnished pans and much more can be resurrected with a little TLC. There's also a growing right-to-repair movement to protect consumers' ability to repair big-ticket products like cars, computers and appliances instead of buying a replacement.

Say No to Single-Use

It takes a lot of time and valuable resources to make plastic items that we use only once, often for mere minutes. And all the plastic we make becomes waste that never goes away. Throughout its lifecycle, plastic also makes our soil, water and air less healthy. This is a great time of year to evaluate what you use in your daily life and test out sustainable swaps for everyday products. In the shower, you could switch from liquid body wash to bar soap or try solid shampoo and conditioner bars. Challenge yourself to pack a totally plastic-free lunch in metal or glass containers with reusable metal cutlery. Go the extra mile by packing it in a lunchbox (old school!) and throwing in a fabric napkin (fancy!).

Talk About What You're Doing

Whether you try one of these resolutions or all five, you can feel proud that you're doing something positive for our planet and for yourself. Spread the word by telling people what you're doing so they can get involved, too. Small actions embraced by many people can create real and lasting change, and we're grateful that you're part of the National Aquarium's growing community of hopeful conservationists.