Kimberly Pepple
POINTS TOTAL
- 55 TODAY
- 120 THIS WEEK
- 327 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
-
UP TO75minutesspent learning
-
UP TO820minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO18pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO16plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
Kimberly's actions
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Learn about Native Species
The world is full of unique species. I will spend 15 minutes each day learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 15 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
Invest in Nature
A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 30 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.
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.
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.
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
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 60 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).
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.
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.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Dishwasher Efficiency
Hand washing dishes can use more energy and hot water than a dishwasher. To save water, I will use a dishwasher and scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
Freshwater + Oceans
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
Itr's estimated over a billion water bottles are thrown away each year. Even if they were recycled, that still uses energy and resources from the earth. I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
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.
Action Track: Community
Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
I will spend 60 minutes learning more about the importance of freshwater + ocean conservation, and how I can reduce my water use. I will share what I learn with people in person, on social media, and on the feed.
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.
Action Track: Community
Borrow Before I Buy
Why buy something I will only use once or a few times if someone nearby has it for me to borrow, and why not share something I have that someone may only need a few times a year? To reduce my consumption and waste, I will create or support the sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.
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.
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?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Understand My Water FootprintWhat did you learn about your water footprint and what are you going to do to reduce and be aware of the water you use?
Kimberly Pepple 4/18/2024 12:38 PMI need to make a conscious effort to turn off the kitchen sink faucet when I am cleaning up the kitchen - I know I shouldn't leave it on for so long - only when I am using the water. -
Kimberly Pepple 4/18/2024 12:37 PM
As suggested....I am sharing my water usage footprint - LOL! -
Kimberly Pepple 4/18/2024 12:30 PM
Here are the results of my footprint calculation. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Calculate My Carbon ImpactWhere in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
Kimberly Pepple 4/18/2024 12:28 PMI was pretty happy with my footprint but know I should strive to do better. We generate more trash when we are in FL since we don't compost. Our vehicle usage in both locations is really good since we walk so many places. Also, the fact that I am vegetarian helps and we try to minimize the amount of electricity we use in our home. -
Kimberly Pepple 4/15/2024 8:43 AMToday I researched endangered and threatened species for the Jax Beach area and found the following on the list:
ENDANGERED
American Alligator
American Crocodile
Green Sea Turtle (we have on Jax Beach)
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle (we have on Jax Beach)
Florida Panther
Manatee
THREATENED
Loggerhead Sea Turtle -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests 30 for 30 in NatureWhat have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?
Kimberly Pepple 4/09/2024 6:05 AMI love spending time outside enjoying nature. Both the greenway/woods and the ocean/beach are very calming. So fortunate to be able to spend time in both locations.-
Maia Arsin 4/09/2024 6:15 AMAlways relaxing. Nature is a like a shower for my mind.
-
-
Kimberly Pepple 4/05/2024 5:50 AMI took some time today to acquaint myself with North Carolina's native mammals and I am happy to say that I feel fortunate to be able to see many of them on a daily basis (bats, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, raccoon and eastern gray squirrels). I am going to pay special attention to appreciate all the animals I encounter on my planned 6 mile run and walk on the greenway today - hoping maybe I will spot some of these animals!
Only 2 native state mammals are currently listed on the Federal/State Endangered Species List - the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel and the Red Wolf. -
Kimberly Pepple 4/02/2024 1:28 PM
GREAT NEWS FROM CARY - They've announced that the Beta Test Cary Compost Center that we use is now PERMANENT - and, it was so successful that they just ordered a second drop off center in another part of Cary! Happy that we have been participating in the beta test for the last year and that it was a success! -
Kimberly Pepple 4/02/2024 6:04 AMDARIEN - I did some research to identify some good websites on native & environmentally friendly North Carolina plants to consult when I rework the front landscaping on the townhome and wanted to share my findings in case it would be helpful to you as well. The Gardenia.net website is great (several links below) because you can search by lots of different categories including sun/soil conditions of where you are planting, if you want to attract wildlife, plant type (tree, ground cover, bush, flowering plant, annual/perenial, etc.)
9 Best Native Plants for Raleigh (lawnlove.com)
Recommended Native Species - North Carolina Native Plant Society (ncwildflower.org)
Top 4 Best North Carolina Native Plants for Landscaping (jts-landscaping.com)
Recommended Native Groundcovers for North Carolina (gardenia.net)
Recommended Native Wildflowers for North Carolina (gardenia.net)
Great Pollinator Plants for North Carolina (gardenia.net)
Recommended Shade-Loving Native Annuals and Perennials for North Carolina (gardenia.net)
Recommended North Carolina Native Shrubs that Attract Wildlife (gardenia.net) -
Kimberly Pepple 4/01/2024 6:21 AMGood Morning Team - Happy to be participating in the EcoChallenge again this year and like the new focus! Looking forward to educating myself more about conservation and making some positive changes for the environment again this year!