Now that school has started for many students, here are a few tips to remind you that it’s still important to get out into nature and stay green!

Be sure to spend some time, even 15 minutes, outside every day with your kids. Spending time in nature will help them study better.

Put nature on the calendar. Arrange a regular “Outdoors Date” with another family. Once it’s on the calendar and others are depending on you, you’re less likely to skip it.

Consider suggesting a garden at your child’s school. It’s a great way for kids to learn about food from seed to table, and it also encourages healthier eating - for kids and adults.

Put a cap on bottled water. Americans buy 25 billion single-serving plastic bottles a year, so be sure to recycle or, even better, use refillable water bottles for yourself and your kids.

Redwood City’s Judy Molland is the author of Get Out! 150 Easy Ways for Kids and Grown-Ups to Get Into Nature and Build a Greener Future (Free Spirit, 2009) and Straight Talk About Schools Today (Free Spirit, 2007).