Skip to main content
Erica Bonanno's avatar

Erica Bonanno

Team Arch

"Turn intention into action"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,373 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    33
    miles
    not traveled by car
  • UP TO
    33
    miles
    traveled by foot
  • UP TO
    97
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    2.0
    trees
    planted
  • UP TO
    247
    minutes
    spent learning

Erica's actions

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land + Forests

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

Action Track: Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 4 hours in my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Leave No Trace

I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace whenever I am outside.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate + Air

Declutter My Home Without the Landfill

Each day, I will learn about responsible ways to dispose of items and de-clutter, clean, donate, repurpose or recycle unneeded items in my home to make sure that what I get rid of doesn't go into the landfill.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate + Air

Use Muscle Power

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Land + Forests

Carry My Trash

I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me this month, to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill. I will post on the feed my reflections, conversations, and actions I will take moving forward.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Grow Local

I will research and plant a garden filled with native fruits, vegetables, and flowers to nurture local wildlife and ecosystems. I will find nearby nurseries that offer plants native to my area.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Freshwater + Oceans

Reduce Pollutants in Cleaning

Understanding cleaning product ingredients and their effect on water and biodiversity is helpful to our consumer choices. I will spend 30 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Invest in Nature

A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 10 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Community

Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans

I will spend 5 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

Smart Seafood Choices

We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 10 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

Low Water Gardening

Grass lawns are water-intensive and on average require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. Native plants are water-efficient and help maintain the balance and diversity of local ecosystems. I will plant native species with water-efficient plants to conserve water and improve the habitat, then post a photo on the feed to share.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Pick Up the Phone

I will gather a group of friends, family, neighbors or colleagues to make 1 phone calls to public officials or companies to advocate for planet-friendly policies.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Action Track: Community

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 1 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate + Air

Stay on the Ground

Carbon emissions from air travel is harmful to planetary and human health. Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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
    Climate + Air Stay on the Ground
    What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

    Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/30/2024 5:01 PM
    We were contemplating on taking a short airplane trip and decided to make a road trip out of it along the way! We are discussing doing the same to Florida in the fall!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Climate + Air Online Energy Audit
    Where did you do an energy audit (work, home, school, other) and what did you learn?

    Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/30/2024 5:00 PM
    My electric company offers a service that has an Energy Auditor identify energy saving opportunities in your home. If you complete a certain amount of the recommended upgrades, you are likely able to receive a rebate!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Grow Local
    How did it feel to plant something native in your area to support local wildlife and biodiversity? What did you plant? Please consider adding a photo.

    Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/30/2024 4:57 PM
    The town conservatory was giving away native saplings on arbor day so I was able to replace a red oak that we had to get rid of last year!

  • Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/30/2024 12:20 PM
    Consumer Reports tested disposable mops and found that they can cost $115+ a year, compared with $50 for a traditional sponge mop with replacement heads and cleanser (so get rid of that Swiffer!).


  • Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/29/2024 9:58 AM
    Fun Fact: If you walk a mile along an average US highway, on average, you will see about 1,457 pieces of litter.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land + Forests 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?

    Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/28/2024 7:13 AM
    We have a local buy nothing FB group that is very active! We are able to swap and ask for things before buying all while helping members of our local community.

  • Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/28/2024 7:09 AM
    Rainforests are being cut down at the rate of 100 acres per minute.


  • Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/27/2024 8:01 AM
    Fun Fact: More than 20,000,000 Hershey's Kisses are wrapped each day, using 133 square miles of tinfoil. All that foil is recyclable!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Freshwater + Oceans Low Water Gardening
    What are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.

    Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/26/2024 8:42 AM
    Our area tends to flood as we have many rivers and are lower. On the positive side, we have lots of local and county parks in the area which helps with that!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Save the Bees
    What did you plant for bees in your area? Please consider uploading a photo!

    Erica Bonanno's avatar
    Erica Bonanno 4/26/2024 8:41 AM
    Milkweed, white clover, black eyed Susan are all planted in our "wild" portion of our yard. We like to see what we can help attract each year!