Memorial Day is on Monday, May 28th this year, and can kick off months of summertime fun. Beyond the activities, Memorial Day is a time to remember the soldiers that gave their lives for their country, and honor the ones that are still fighting.

Taking care of the Earth is one way that you can have your Memorial Day fun while still giving the holiday a deeper meaning. Here are a few eco-friendly ideas to spice up your weekend while honoring and appreciating nature.

Have a great eco-trip planned that we didn’t mention? Leave it in the comments below!

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  • 1. Lace Up Your Hiking Boots

    Not only is hiking fun, free, and good for the Earth, but it is pretty cathartic as well. And we aren't just talking about a stroll around your living room. After being cooped up indoors all winter, a breath of fresh air will do wonders. Although a stroll through the nearby park will still do great things for your body and mind, this is the perfect time of year to visit a state park. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm" target="_hplink">There are natural gems near</a> almost all major cities. If you prefer to stay closer to home, find a nearby walk that suits all your needs by <a href="http://www.trails.com/activities.aspx?area=10031" target="_hplink">checking out trails.com</a> and <a href="http://www.traillink.com/" target="_hplink">traillink.com</a>. If you're lucky, you might even live near one of <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/adventure/the-10-best-hiking-spots-in-the-united-states.html" target="_hplink">Discovery.com's 10 Best Hiking Spots In The U.S.</a>! <br> <br> <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/irisphotos/" target="_blank">Image courtesy of iriskh</a></em>

  • 2. Hit The Beach

    Oh, if only we were all so lucky to live in Florida where beach bunnies lie out all year long. But if you live further north, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the swimming season. So join those Michiganders at the Great Lakes, or the New Yorkers donning their trunks and heading to the shore. <br> <br> Natural bodies of water vary in how you can enjoy them -- <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/04/urban-surfing-beaches-lifestyle-sport-rockaway.html" target="_hplink">some beaches are made for surfing</a>, while others are perfect for lazily floating on your back. Pack your beach bag with sunscreen, healthy snacks and a good book, and enjoy your summer fun! <br> <br> <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/webethere/" target="_blank">Image courtesy of Carol Mitchell</a></em>

  • 3. Ride A Bike

    Instead of hopping in the car for a Memorial Day activity, why not make the transportation itself fun? Find a beautiful bike trail, or just ride down your favorite streets. Do you live near one of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/best-cities-biking-cycling-bicycle_n_1536262.html" target="_hplink">Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities In The U.S.</a>? Take advantage of those bike lanes and share programs. Don't forget to stop for cool-down treats along the way!

  • 4. Give Back

    Keeping our troops in mind, volunteering is a great, meaningful way to start off your summer. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/30/memorial-day-how-to-get-i_n_592490.html" target="_hplink">Here are a few ideas</a> on how to get involved in a Memorial Day parade or other veteran activities. You can also <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honor-our-military-memorial-day-weekend-95003529.html" target="_hplink">donate blood</a>, sign up to be an organ donor, or <a href="http://www.communitygarden.org/" target="_hplink">help at a park or garden</a>. Look at the <a href="http://www.volunteer.va.gov/" target="_hplink">Department of Veterans Affairs website</a> for more volunteer ideas.

  • 5. Go For The Green Sales

    While it may not be "Black Friday", Memorial Day weekend is known to shopaholics nationwide as a time of super sales. Why not use this opportunity to learn more about the best environmentally-friendly and green product lines? While certain brands are built upon sustainable and eco-friendly fashion (<a href="http://www.unitedbyblue.com/the-blue-movement" target="_hplink">United By Blue</a> and <a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/content/26/about-us" target="_hplink">People Tree</a>, to name a few), some well-knowns like <a href="http://www.levistrauss.com/" target="_hplink">Levi Strauss</a> are also making strides in the eco-friendly clothing industry. Arm yourself with a list of <a href="http://ecosalon.com/category/fashion/" target="_hplink">green designers</a> and producers before you leave home, and hit the shops guilt-free. <br> <br> <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/lovemaegan/" target="_blank">Image courtesy of ...love Maegan</a></em>

  • 6. Check Out The Farmer's Market

    Memorial Day comes at the beginning of the summer fruit and vegetable season, when avocados, cherries and more are at their brightest and best. <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/" target="_hplink">Check out your local farmer's market</a> to find great, natural produce perfect for a kick-off summer feast! <br> <br> <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/laurapadgett/" target="_blank">Image courtesy of laura padgett</a></em>

  • 7. Pick Some Berries

    Fruit picking is fun and delicious, no matter how old you are. So round up your crew and find a nearby U-pick farm! <a href="http://strawberryplants.org/2010/07/pick-your-own-strawberries/" target="_hplink">Strawberryplants.org is a great resource</a> for not only finding the nearest strawberry farm, but also has a number of strawberry-themed reference pages. For a variety of fruit pickings (and outside the U.S., too!), find your nearest farm on <a href="http://www.pickyourown.org/" target="_hplink">pickyourown.org</a>. <br> <br> <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="flickr">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jronaldlee/" target="flickr">Image courtesy of jronaldlee</a></em>

  • 8. Run Around

    If you are a sprinter, runner, walker, or just someone who likes to support a good cause, there are a number of professional races that take place on Memorial Day. <a href="http://www.memorialdaymarathon.com/" target="_hplink">The Memorial Day Marathon in Lenox, MA </a>attracts serious runners from all over to spend their holiday trekking through the Berkshires. Looking for a shorter run, or one closer to home? <a href="http://www.marathons2012.net/marathons-in-usa-may-2012 " target="_hplink">Check out the runs on Marathons2012.net</a>. You can search by the month of May to find all the Memorial Day weekend races. Even if you aren't a runner, cheering people on at the finish line is a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle! <br> <br> <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="flickr">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stijlfoto/" target="flickr">Image courtesy of Stijlfoto</a></em>

  • 9. Throw A Green Barbeque

    Barbeque is the quintessential Memorial Day activity, so here are a few ideas for grilling fun with a lower carbon footprint. <a href="http://www.greenbrideguide.com/" target="_hplink">Green Bride Guide</a> suggests using an all-natural charcoal for the grill, bring reusable utensils and <a href="http://www.bigdipperwaxworks.com/" target="_hplink">keep away the bugs</a> without the toxic chemicals. Throw some veggies on the grill and cut back on the meat to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/environment-eat-less-meat-cheese-dairy-health_n_901464.html" target="_hplink">further reduce</a> your carbon footprint. <em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr:</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/befuddledsenses/" target="_blank">Image courtesy of Accretion Disc</a></em>

  • 10. Visit The Nearby Fauna And Flora

    One of the best parts about the summer is experiencing the great outdoors. For a fun Memorial Day trip, check out the local zoo or botanical gardens to see what the world has to offer. Find a zoo near you through the <a href="http://www.aza.org/home.aspx" target="_hplink">Association of Zoos and Aquariums</a> website. You may even live near one of <a href="http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/planning/the-10-best-zoos-for-kids/" target="_hplink"><em>Parents</em> magazine's Top 10 Zoos for kids</a>! <br> <br> Prefer to see some greenery during this glorious weather? You can also find a nearby arboretum or botanical gardens through <a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/arboretums/locator/" target="_hplink">the Better Homes and Gardens locator</a>.

  • Reflecting on Memorial Day

    A look at how the news media and blogosphere are examining Memorial Day and its meaning.