Skip to main content
Alicia Wallace's avatar

Alicia Wallace

Heartland Community College EASC 111 Spring 2024

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 151 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    60
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    300
    minutes
    spent learning

Alicia's actions

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Freshwater + Oceans

Smart Seafood Choices

We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 30 minutes learning about sustainable seafood choices, commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean, and share what I learned on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Freshwater + Oceans

Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans

I will spend 30 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land + Forests

Explore My Area

When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 30 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 QUESTION
    Freshwater + Oceans Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
    What did you learn about freshwater and oceans you did not already know? In sharing this information with people in your life, which conversation was impactful to you?

    Alicia Wallace's avatar
    Alicia Wallace 4/29/2024 5:14 PM
    I had no idea the risks many dolphins face because of those who fish illegally. I even found that there were campaigns for yellow tuna pledging the tuna was dolphin free. I have always been a dolphin lover, but clearly I have also been naïve to the real situation at hand.

    I also learned that 2 billion people around the world don't even have access to safe drinking water, and only .5% of the water is useable and available freshwater. Unfortunately, that number is highly at risk due to the effects of climate change.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land + Forests Explore My Area
    Where did you go for your walk or hike in nature? What were the benefits of doing so?

    Alicia Wallace's avatar
    Alicia Wallace 4/29/2024 12:51 PM
    This weekend I took a walk when I was downtown Chicago and went to Millennium Park. It was amazing to just be me and take in everything around me. I had so much peace. When I got back to town yesterday, I went to Humiston Woods for my field trip for class. I was able to point out biotic and abiotic factors within nature. I feel like I have been so much more intentional about paying attention to EVERYTHING around me!!! On my drive home I saw 2 crows splashing around in a mud puddle and it brought me so much joy!!!

    • Janet  Beach Davis's avatar
      Janet Beach Davis 4/30/2024 1:19 PM
      I'm glad you are seeing all the nature around you! And you can always walk outside and get that connected feeling again. It never goes away.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Community Borrow Before I Buy
    How did you participate in the sharing economy? (Consider posting a photo!) What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?

    Alicia Wallace's avatar
    Alicia Wallace 4/18/2024 6:53 PM
    Last weekend, my son went to mow the lawn, but something is wrong with the lawn mower. Instead of buying a whole new one, I asked my parents if I could borrow theirs. My dad brought theirs over, and we borrowed theirs!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Freshwater + Oceans Smart Seafood Choices
    Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

    Alicia Wallace's avatar
    Alicia Wallace 4/18/2024 6:29 PM
    No site-specific advisories are in place for Livingston county.
    However, the statewide methylmercury advisory applies to all Illinois waters. IDPH recommends that women of childbearing age and children limit their consumption of predatory fish (bass, sauger, walleye, flathead catfish, gar, muskellunge, northern pike, trout, and salmon) to 1 meal per week.
    I love seafood, but I don't eat it very often. All in all, I probably have it one to two times a month; therefore, I fall within the dietary guidelines for my region.

  • Alicia Wallace's avatar
    Alicia Wallace 4/02/2024 5:56 PM
    I made it a point to not be so last minute today. I gave myself extra time to get to Bloomington. I usually leave last minute, and as a result I am speeding on the highway in hopes of making it on time. After learning that driving the speed limit can contribute to me reducing my water footprint, I made it a point to leave much earlier today. I even made it to work 25 minutes early!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Freshwater + Oceans Understand My Water Footprint
    What did you learn about your water footprint and what are you going to do to reduce and be aware of the water you use?

    Alicia Wallace's avatar
    Alicia Wallace 4/01/2024 5:29 PM
    I was honestly surprised! I thought I would have horrible results, but it said, "not bad! You beat the average." I personally use 1,420 Gallons per day and the average water footprint in the US is 1,802 Gallons per day. I have two teens, so our average for my entire household is about 4,261. We do not have a dishwasher in my house, so stressing to my kids about filling the sink is something I need to do. I have told them before, but I don't think I stressed it enough and made it seem like it was an option. I also need to get on my son about his time in the shower. I never thought about putting a bucket in the shower while it's getting hot, and using that water to flush the toilet. When I get the time, I need to look into the company that conserves energy. I think in the beginning of the semester, my water footprint would have been significantly higher, I have been much more intentional the more I learn!