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Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar

Sebastian Briceno-Mahr

MBHS APES 24 - 25

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 316 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    2.0
    products
    replaced with sustainable alternatives
  • UP TO
    12
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    3.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    12
    species
    logged for community science
  • UP TO
    36
    minutes
    spent learning

Sebastian's actions

Wildlife

Log Species to Help Scientists

The more we know about the wildlife around us, the better we can protect species. I will download a wildlife monitoring app and log 5 animal or plant species I discover.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Learn How to Save the Bees

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 15 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Plant (or Adopt) a Plant

Landscaping with native plants, gardening, and having plants inside can have benefits for nature and our health. I will plant or adopt a new plant or grow one from seeds and post a photo of it to the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Check In with a Friend or Colleague

Staying connected strengthens relationships and boosts well-being. Each day, I will reach out to 3 friends or colleagues to check in, have a meaningful conversation, or offer support.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Attend a Local Event

Local events such as farmers' markets, festivals, or community meetings like town halls are great ways to feel part of a community. I will attend 2 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Visit or Learn About a Culturally Significant Site Near Me

Sites of cultural and spiritual significance hold deep meaning for many communities, particularly Indigenous peoples. I will learn about or visit a site near me that is significant to the history, culture, or environment of the area. I will approach my visit with respect by researching its importance and guidelines beforehand, reflecting on how we can preserve these spaces for future generations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Audit Toxic Products in my Home

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 15 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Prepare for Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can disrupt lives and upend our communities. I will take proactive steps to prepare for extreme weather by safeguarding my home and creating or updating an emergency plan and kit with essential supplies, evacuation routes, and contact information.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Replace a Product

Small changes can make a big difference for health and sustainability. Using what I learned from auditing ingredients in the products I use, I will replace 2 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Reducing energy use helps protect the air and climate. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy and reduce pollution.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Join a Cleanup Effort

Working together to clean up public spaces helps the environment and builds community. I will participate in 1 community cleanup efforts in my neighborhood or local area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Save Water When Washing Dishes

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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
    Land, Water, and Air
    What was the most unexpected piece of trash that was picked up during your local cleanup effort? How does working with others to clean up your community make you feel?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/17/2025 12:40 PM
    I participated in a cleanup of my canyon in my neighborhood. It made me feel fulfilled and an active member of my community.

    • Marie-Laure MICHEL's avatar
      Marie-Laure MICHEL 4/17/2025 1:13 PM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Especially this week just before easter … cleaning is to be done !
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    What did you discover during your energy audit that you weren’t aware of before? What steps will you take to reduce energy use, and how will they benefit both the environment and your household?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/17/2025 12:36 PM
    I learned that almost every night, we leave the laundry room light on after doing a load of laundry over night. From now on, we will only do laundry during the day to avoid using the light.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    How did changing your dishwashing habits make you more mindful of water use? What other small changes can you make to conserve water in your household?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/17/2025 12:31 PM
    Instead of running the water for the course of the dishwashing process, I filled up one side of the sink with soapy water, scrubbed the dishes clean using that water, and then rinsed the dishes separately, overall saving lots of water.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What product did you replace, and why was it important to you? How do you feel about making a small change for a healthier, more sustainable home?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/17/2025 11:53 AM
    I replaced our bottle of conditioner with a bottle of olive oil and a bottle of coconut oil. Conditioner is important because everyone in the family uses it to keep their hair from getting frizzy.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you do to prepare for extreme weather events? Share any tips or resources you found helpful in the feed!

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/17/2025 11:48 AM
    To prepare for extreme weather, I gathered 5 bags of provisions like protein bars, bottles of water, and penlights into bags in case of an emergency.

    • Iosif Vernes's avatar
      Iosif Vernes 4/17/2025 12:00 PM
      • Earth Advocate 📣
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Very good idea and the list with the things is easy to prepare.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What surprised you most about the products you use in your home?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/17/2025 11:27 AM
    Most of my household products are organic and sourced from a local people's food co-op. But, some of the more name-brand products I've learned can contain a number of phthalates, which are harmful chemicals that can damage hormone levels and the reproductive system.

    • Rahul Satpute's avatar
      Rahul Satpute 4/17/2025 11:37 AM
      • Plant Parent 🪴
      • 18-DAY STREAK
      What surprised me most was realizing how many everyday household products contain harmful chemicals or come with non-recyclable packaging. Items I used without a second thought—like cleaning sprays, shampoos, and packaged foods—often included ingredients that aren’t eco-friendly or safe for long-term use.
      Once I started reading labels and doing some research, I became more aware of how these products affect not just the environment, but also my health. For example, switching to natural cleaning solutions and reusable containers has reduced both my waste and exposure to harsh chemicals.
      This discovery made me more conscious about what I bring into my home and encouraged me to make smarter, more sustainable choices. Small changes, like choosing eco-certified brands or making simple DIY products, can truly make a difference.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What did you enjoy or learn from attending a local event in your community? How did participating in this event deepen your connection to your local area?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/16/2025 9:20 PM
    I atteneded two of my local farmers' markets at my neighborhood. This deepened my connection to my community by meeting new people in my neighborhood and I felt like I contributed to my community financially.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    How did checking in with someone strengthen your relationship or provide support? How did it feel to reach out and connect?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/16/2025 9:17 PM
    Checking in with some of my friends strengthened my relationships with these friends significantly, as it allowed me to express that I cared about them and it felt very fulfilling
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What did you learn about the sacred site’s history and significance? Why are these sites important to protect, support, and understand?

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/16/2025 10:41 AM
    Nhu Lai Thien Tu is a Buddhist temple in my neighborhood founded in 1971. It is culturally significant as it provides a cultural shelter for those in our community that practice Buddhism. This site is important to protect, support, and understand because in doing so we can help preserve the culture of all people in our community.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How did it feel to plant something, and what kind of gardening did you do (indoors, hydroponic, outside in a garden, etc)? What did you plant and where? Feel free to share a photo to the feed!

    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr's avatar
    Sebastian Briceno-Mahr 4/12/2025 10:45 AM
    It felt fulfilling and helpful to plant a plant. I planted this plant in a pot on our shelf outside. I planted a bean plant I got from my grandmother.