Glenda Harrison
"To minimize my impact on the environment, and to try to leave things in a better condition than I found them. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,445 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO285pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO65plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO5.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
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UP TO8.0hoursvolunteered
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UP TO8.0treesplanted
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UP TO1,540minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO662minutesspent learning
Glenda's actions
Land + Forests
Personal Waste Audit
The waste we create daily can go unnoticed. I will track the waste I create in a day and post a photo log on the feed to see how much I create and where I can make different choices to reduce my waste going forward.
Climate + Air
Online Energy Audit
Energy use and waste is often invisible. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs
When traveling, I will seek souvenirs that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.
Freshwater + Oceans
Understand My Water Footprint
Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Build a bigger habitat for bees
My goal is to build a hive and purchase some Mason bees, then add more native plants and pollinators to my yard. I already have a nice pollinator garden, but this challenge has encouraged me to plant more and help build the bee community.
Land + Forests
Plant Trees
Trees capture carbon and produce oxygen that is essential to life on earth. I will support this important piece of nature by organizing or joining a community group to plant 5 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 4 hours in my community.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 30 minutes learning about the beauty and body products I use to see if they are refillable or recyclable. If not, I will reach out to the manufacturer to advocate for those options.
Land + Forests
30 for 30 in Nature
Studies have shown that when we spend consistent time in nature, our health improves, our creativity increases, and our connection to the planet gets stronger. Each day of the Ecochallenge, I will spend 30 minutes outside (in a large or small patch of nature), then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.
Action Track: Community
Join a Cleanup Effort
I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 5 minutes each day learning about the current status of local or global wildlife and how I can align my actions to support their livelihood.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Biodiversity and Me
I will spend at least 10 minutes each day researching what biodiversity is, how biodiversity positively impacts our world, and how the loss of biodiversity harms it. I will share what I learn on the feed.
Climate + Air
Low Carbon Diet
Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere in a variety of ways, including through the foods we eat and food we waste. I will learn about low carbon foods and replace higher carbon foods with them in my diet.
Climate + Air
Calculate My Carbon Impact
Carbon emissions can show up in many surprising ways in our life. I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.
Land + Forests
Regenerative Agriculture and Me
Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend 180 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
Land + Forests
Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper
Trees provide food and habitat for local wildlife species, shade our streets and homes, and help keep our air and water clean by capturing pollutants. Buying products that help protect forests makes a difference. I will only purchase wood, furniture, and paper products from ecologically certified sources such as Forest Stewardship Council.
Freshwater + Oceans
Say No to Plastic Straws
An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
Action Track: Community
Keep My Community Clean
At times it may not feel like it's up to us to keep our community clean and healthy, but we all have a role to play. Each day I am outside, I will pick up any litter I see.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Plastic in Clothing and Water
Synthetic clothing can contain plastic and shed harmful microplastics into our water. I will use a microplastics catcher in my laundry, or install a microplastics filter for my washing machine.
Land + Forests
Expand my garden
I already plant a flower and vegetable garden that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, but I will expand my garden to grow my own food and to have extra to share with my local food bank.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Save the Bees
Bees are vital to ecosystems. To help save the bees, I will learn which local flowers provide nectar and plant them in my backyard or in a pot on my balcony.
Land + Forests
Zero Waste Day
The impacts of our waste are far reaching. I will create zero waste for an entire day and share my reflections and learnings on the feed.
Participant Feed
Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?
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Glenda Harrison 4/30/2024 5:03 PMI have learned so much by participating in ecochallenge this year. While today is officially the last day of Earth Month, I plan to continue to keep it going... to rephrase Ebenezer Scrooge, "I will keep Earth Month in my heart all year long." -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Say No to Plastic StrawsWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Glenda Harrison 4/30/2024 4:56 PMI invested in reusable straws and cups, and I have some mesh bags when I go to the store for fruit and veg. Some items are packaged in containers (lettuce, kiwi fruit) so it's difficult to avoid everything. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community Keep My Community CleanHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Glenda Harrison 4/30/2024 4:50 PMLitter has always bothered me, and I did try to pick up some (papers, things that weren't crushed into the street), but I always wanted to do more. Having this as a "daily action" has prompted me to feel more connected to my community. There is a mini-mall near my house and have the tools now, so this will be something I continue over this next year. -
Glenda Harrison 4/26/2024 2:26 PMToday has been a bit wet in my corner of the world, but there was a dry spot that I was able to get outside. I spent my time cleaning littler in the neighborhood. Maybe tomorrow morning will be drier so I can work in my garden! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Volunteer in my CommunityHow does volunteering enhance your community and/or change your relationship with it?
Glenda Harrison 4/26/2024 2:24 PMI worked on one community project for 2 hours, but the rest was spent wandering my neighborhood picking up litter... thanks to supplies received. It's kind of a messy job, but it really makes me sad to see cigarette butts, soda bottles, fast food bags, and yes... even the green doggie waste bags. This was a huge problem 40 years ago, and it's sad to see that people are starting to get careless again. The Earth is our home and living space - we need to be responsible! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Personal Waste AuditWhat are the results of your waste audit and what did you learn? How can you reduce your waste going forward?
Glenda Harrison 4/25/2024 12:24 PMConducting a waste audit was a good reminder for me. I have some physical challenges so my adult sons do most of the cooking, but we have more waste than we should... and that would make my beloved grammy cringe. Still, there are areas that we are better at - reducing packaging and having access to good recycling facilities (including electronic recycling), and we are downsizing a bit and finding homes for household items and recycling microwaves and appliances that no longer work (but hopefully can be used as parts/scraps!). -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Online Energy AuditWhere did you do an energy audit (work, home, school, other) and what did you learn?
Glenda Harrison 4/24/2024 4:52 PMI know my home isn't energy efficient, but it was helpful to read some of the information on how to improve this. My landlord isn't interested in improving the home, but I did find some simple steps that will help.-
Kristhzien Camantigue 4/24/2024 5:26 PMHome and its been saving be a lot of $ ever since :>
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Glenda Harrison 4/24/2024 1:56 PMThis may be a bit controversial, but I am seeing so much about converting lawns to conserve water. I attended a session through my local Master Garden program about climate friendly lawns... and I learned that lawns are an important part of our eco-system, and help reduce C02. There was a lot presented, but it was through "10 Minute University" through OSU (Oregon State University) Master Gardner's program. But this would probably work in places like Oregon that get more rain than in drier climates (I do let my lawn brown a bit in the summer). -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Seek Alternative Gifts and SouvenirsHow do your consumption choices affect the health of wildlife and other communities?
Glenda Harrison 4/23/2024 4:06 PMAs one article stated, a souvenir may help capture a moment in time, but even small purchases have a bigger impact unless the gifts are made locally. Wildlife can be destroyed in creating souvenirs, and there is also an impact on the environment when items are made in distant countries and shipped. This really opened my eyes! -
Glenda Harrison 4/23/2024 3:21 PMIt is so encouraging seeing our collective progress! I have started a few new habits, and I love seeing the plant based meals people are posting! Being vegetarian these days is so much better and easier than when I tried 30 years ago!