The Earth Keepers environmental group is asking Upper Peninsula residents to conserve energy and water in their homes during April in observance of Earth Day April 22.

Conserving energy, Earth Keepers reports, is a way to locally confront climate change that is warming the Great Lakes and resulting in loss of rare plant species and changes in animal habitat and migration.

The Superior Watershed Partnership, the Cedar Tree Institute, and more than 150 church congregations across the Upper Peninsula are distributing a conservation checklist to the public, online and at church gatherings. The checklist offers steps to reduce energy consumption, including the following:

• Increase home lighting efficiency by turning off lights when not in use, installing timers, and replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

• Improve gas mileage by keeping current with car maintenance. Clean air filters can improve mileage as much as 10%; properly inflated and aligned tires can save 3%.

• Insulate hot water storage tank and pipes. Lower the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.

• Set the home thermostat as low as is comfortable and consider installing a programmable thermostat.

• Turn off home electronics when not in use.

• Conserve water by fixing leaking faucets, taking short showers instead of baths, turning off water when brushing teeth, and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes. Install low-flow showerheads.

• Use native plants for landscaping; they require less water because they are well suited to the local climate.

Earth Keepers will benefit from the sale of Energy Kits offered by Michigan Green. Two kits are available, for $59 and $99, from www.michigangreen.org.

In years past, Earth Keepers events have included collecting 45 tons of household hazardous waste in 2005 and 320 tons of electronic waste in 2006 across the Upper Peninsula. More than one ton of old pharmaceutical products was collected and properly disposed of last year.

To receive a complete Earth Keepers energy conservation checklist, call the Superior Watershed Partnership at (906) 228-6095 or go to www.superiorwatersheds. org.