Ecochallenge.org

Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation

April 1 - April 30, 2025

Yvette Collins

Team Arch

" To do my best every day to preserve our environment by sharing all that I learn."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
994 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

20

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

17

single-use bags

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

water footprint

calculated
UP TO

93

donations

made
UP TO

780

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

770

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

60

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

1.0

new places

explored

Yvette's actions

Share My Why

Take the Earth Month Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

I will take a short survey about my experience to help the Ecochallenge team improve future events, earn a chance to win a prize, and earn 15 points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Replace Old Bulbs with LED Bulbs

Energy-efficient lighting is a bright idea. I will replace 20 incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

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

Share My Why

I will share my Ecochallenge story and why I'm taking action for the planet — and earn 15 points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Take Shorter Showers - Conserve Water

I love to take Long Showers. With this challenge and going forward I will set a goal to shorten my shower time.

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

Enjoy the Outdoors for 30 Minutes

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, then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Community and Connection

Support Local Businesses

Supporting local businesses helps keep communities vibrant and resilient. I will choose to shop at 3 local businesses or restaurants.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Spend Time Outdoors

Spend time outdoors in nature and enjoying the beauty.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Spend Time Outdoors

Spend time outdoors in nature and enjoying the beauty.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Explore Resources for Managing Anxiety

Review Research available for understanding Stress and Anxiety.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Declutter and Donate

Decluttering can reduce stress and benefit others. I will declutter my home and donate items I no longer need to support others in my community.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Volunteer at Local Community Food Bank

Volunteer time to put together Food and Vegetable packages for the Community in need.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 120 minutes of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags do not always end up in landfills and if they aren't properly disposed of. In nature, they can be mistaken for food by many wild animals and harm wildlife. When I go shopping, I will be sure to bring my own bags to reduce waste and the chance that plastic bags could find their way into wildlife habitats.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Explore My Area

Discovering what’s nearby fosters a deeper connection to my community. I will explore 5 new places in my area, such as parks, historical sites, or local businesses.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Community Yard Sale and Outreach

Participate in Community Yard Sale / Outreach and get to know your neighbors - Build networks for other community events and opportunities.

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?

Yvette Collins 4/30/2025 4:57 PM
- Parent 🐻
Some more ways to protect earth and conserve:
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away.
- Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too.
- Plant more trees.
- Use renewable sources of energy.
- Reduce the wastage of water.
- Save electricity.
- Reduce the use of plastic.
- Conserve non-renewable resources.
- Conserve the different flora and faunas.
- Take steps to reduce pollution.
Read More
- Olivia Nelson 4/30/2025 6:33 PM
  - Exercise Lover 🤸
  - 14-DAY STREAK
  Helpful tips and reminders!
  
  Read More
Yvette Collins 4/30/2025 3:31 PM
- Parent 🐻
Still learning so much. I was just researching and reading a news article regarding Household Plastics. I will work on removing these items from my household and using them as less as possible.

Common household plastics linked to thousands of global deaths from heart disease; study finds CNN Study. Storing food in plastic containers exposes you to potentially dangerous chemicals that can leak from the plastic into the food, experts say.
- Often called “everywhere chemicals” because they are so common, phthalates are added to consumer products such as PVC plumbing pipes, vinyl flooring, rain- and stain-resistant products, medical tubing, garden hoses and some children’s toys to make the plastic more flexible and harder to break.
- Other common exposures come from the use of phthalates in food packaging, detergents, clothing, furniture and automotive plastics. Phthalates are also added to personal care items such as shampoo, soap, hair spray and cosmetics to make fragrances last longer.
Read More
Yvette Collins 4/30/2025 8:26 AM
- Parent 🐻
This challenge reminds me to just take a little time out to enjoy all that Nature provides, the birds singing, the sound of the wind gently blowing through the trees, the colors in the sky, the flowers blooming, breathe the fresh air. So many wonderful gifts to enjoy. Just take a little time to acknowledge it and enjoy.

Read More
Yvette Collins 4/30/2025 8:15 AM
- Parent 🐻
Wow! We are already at the Last day of the Challenge. Once again, this was a great experience. I learned so much from the available information and the other participants. I will end with this beautiful sunset amidst the clouds I saw while I was out. Happy Earth Month to Everyone and hopefully we can make it Earth Day, every day!

Read More
Yvette Collins 4/29/2025 8:04 PM
- Parent 🐻
The challenge is going really well. I have learned so much from the categories as well as the other participants and the information they share.

Read More
- DHEERAJ PAL 4/29/2025 8:29 PM
  - Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
  ......Cooooooool....,...........
  
  Read More
Yvette Collins 4/29/2025 3:45 PM
- Parent 🐻
Sleep is crucial for maintaining health and well-being.
- Improved mood
- Healthy heart
- Regulated blood sugar
- Improved mental function
- Restored immune system
- Stress relief
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Read More
- SangBeom Lee 4/29/2025 4:18 PM
  Thank you for sharing the good information.
  
  Read More
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?
Yvette Collins 4/29/2025 3:36 PM
- Parent 🐻
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Assessment
You can conduct a simple home energy inspection yourself. The DIY assessment involves a simple but diligent walkthrough of your home during which you carefully look at the primary areas where air leaks occur:
• Look at places where different materials, such as brick and wood siding, meet - between foundation and walls, and between chimney and siding.
• Inspect the area around electrical outlets, switch plates, windows and door frames, baseboards, attic hatches, wall or window-mounted air conditioners, mail chutes, electrical and gas service entrances, cable TV and phone lines, and vents and fans.
• Check to see that caulking and weather stripping are applied properly and are in good condition.

Read More
Yvette Collins 4/29/2025 2:19 PM
- Parent 🐻
Supporting Local Businesses - We live in a pretty small town, but we have great community where we support our local business owners. I shop at a great bakery in our town that survived the COVID Shutdown and has since thrived. The bakery is "One House Bakery in Benicia, CA" great sandwich, coffee and bakery shop. They have customers from all over the bay area and they are huge supporters of the city and community events.

Read More
- Kathleen Schlicht 4/29/2025 2:32 PM
  - TEAM CAPTAIN
  - Pet Parent 🐾
  - 16-DAY STREAK
  My towns farmers market opens this Saturday and I am so excited. Supporting local shopping is the best :)
  
  Read More
Yvette Collins 4/29/2025 1:29 PM
- Parent 🐻
I love to re-use the Costco recycled bags for my shopping. They are roomy and I just keep them in my car. You can carry almost anything in these bags, and they are sturdy.

Read More
- Daniela Embree 4/29/2025 1:33 PM
  - Adventurer 🏔
  - 17-DAY STREAK
  Love them!! I also love the ones they make with partitions for bottles - Kroger used to have some.
  
  Read More
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!
Yvette Collins 4/29/2025 1:18 PM
- Parent 🐻
We are in the SF Bay Area, so this region is known for earthquakes. We have established an emergency contact plan for our family; in case we are unable to reach each other. We have an emergency kit, water and food storage. Although, you continue to hope for the best.

Read More