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Welcome to Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org
Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation
April 1 - April 30, 2025
Amanda Costanzo's avatar

Amanda Costanzo

Phipps Ecochallenge Team

"Everyday is a chance to make the right choice that promotes health within yourself and for Mother Nature. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 343 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    carbon footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    10
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    3.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    180
    minutes
    spent learning

Amanda's actions

Community and Connection

Keep My Community Clean

A clean community benefits everyone. Each day I am outside, I will pick up 10 pieces of litter to keep my community clean.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Meditate

Meditation helps build resilience and clarity. I will spend 15 minutes each day to meditate or create a moment of silence each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace means enjoying nature responsibly by minimizing our impact and leaving the environment as we found it, or better. I will spend 60 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.

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

Calculate My Carbon Impact

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 1 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Learn about the Magic of Seaweed

Seaweed is a powerful ally for the planet. I will spend 60 minutes learning how seaweed can improve ocean health, capture carbon, support sustainable food systems, and inspire eco-friendly products.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 60 minutes of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Community and Connection

Join a Group

Belonging to a group can help build friendships and a sense of purpose. I will explore online or in-person groups or clubs that share my interests or goals and join a group to connect with others.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Empowering the Next Generation

Learn About Indigenous Conservation Practices

Indigenous communities have stewarded ecosystems for generations through deep-rooted knowledge and connection to nature. I will spend 60 minutes exploring Indigenous conservation methods and reflecting on their role in fostering balance and equity with nature.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you notice about your thoughts or emotions during or after meditation? Did you find it easy or challenging to meditate?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/22/2025 11:17 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    The Universe chose today, for me to discover, the Homestead Labyrinth! This is located in the Waterfront, at the end of the trail, by the river.
    With the Minds Intention set at ‘Letting It Go, So All Can Flow’ repeated in my mind as I walked the Grass/Stone Labyrinth at a Moderate Pace.
    When I reached the Center, I sat criss cross and continued to keep my mind clear of all chatter, besides that Mantra!
    It is Amazing how grounded I felt when finished. My soul felt lighter while my feet felt connected to earth!
    This was a Great Reminder to Meditate More Often! It Truly is Releasing and Healing!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Sustainable Innovation
    What new insights did you gain about seaweed’s role in combating environmental challenges? Were you surprised how many products you may already be using contain seaweed?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/21/2025 4:11 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    Seaweed is Capable of:
    1. Protecting Fruit and Vegetables from Oxidation, thus Prolonging Shelf Life.
    2. Giving Crops more Iron & Potassium
    3. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    4. Absorbing CO2 from the Atmosphere
    5. Being used as a Fertilizer for Crops
    Read More
    • JOE KIDWELL's avatar
      JOE KIDWELL 4/21/2025 4:16 AM
      • Adventurer 🏔
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Thanks for sharing, I did not realize these insights about seaweed.
      Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Empowering the Next Generation
    What lessons did you learn from Indigenous conservation practices, and how can these inspire the next generation to create a more sustainable and equitable future?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/21/2025 3:56 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I went on the websites:
    1. Nature.org
    2. Natureandnculture

    Their Goals for Nature Conservation are to:
    1. Reduce Emissions
    2. Support Renewable Energy
    3. Store Carbon
    4. Create Collaborative Protection Agreements for Dense Forest Areas
    5. Create a Protected Corridor Down the Spine of the Andes Mountain Range
    6. Safeguard Key Water Sources
    Read More
  • Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/20/2025 1:17 PM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    Did some trash pick up today and made a salve from the medicinal class I took at the Garden Center. I had to wait for the herbs to really soak into the oil before mixing it with beeswax. That class was great and the process was fun to do!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    Where in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/16/2025 8:26 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I went on climate hero.org to take the carbon footprint test. I rate as a climate friend which means I have room for improvement. It is pretty cool to see what I already do in my life that I didn’t realize was helping my carbon footprint. The room for improvements are for me to be more involved in community ways to help Mother Nature and for me to take less trips.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    How did joining a group make you feel more connected or supported? Why do you think belonging to a group is important?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/16/2025 8:09 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I joined a Pub League that meets every Sunday. It includes combining the two sports of Hurling and Camogie. I have met wonderful people of all ages and of both genders. They have been very welcoming and always willing to coach me thru the sport I am learning, while playing the game.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What changes did you make to improve your sleep, and how did they affect your day?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/14/2025 4:14 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    With having two jobs it has been a juggle to get sleep in. My best nights of sleep are typically 2 days a week with 7 hours. When I only sleep 5 hours a night I make time for a 30 min nap. If lucky I get in a 60 min nap at most. Feel I’ve been pretty good at balancing my sleep out so I can get what I need within each night/day.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What is one way you can reduce your impact on nature the next time you spend time outdoors, and how might that action help preserve the environment for others?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/11/2025 3:41 AM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    So I went on the website learn.lnt.org where I found a free course on how to leave no trace by using the 7 principles. It was originated in Boulder,CO being a non profit company since 1994. You go thru each principle in detail with videos, slide show and quizzes on what you read.
    Read More
    • Amanda Costanzo's avatar
      Amanda Costanzo 4/11/2025 6:04 PM
      • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
      • 5-DAY STREAK
      Course Lady :)
      Read More
    • Michelle Allworth's avatar
      Michelle Allworth 4/11/2025 12:41 PM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 13-DAY STREAK
      Love this. I am saving the website and going to watch the videos too. Thanks for sharing! :)
      Read More
  • 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?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/10/2025 5:36 PM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I am officially a part of the Greenfield Clean Up Crew. Not only do I pick up litter randomly when walking along the sidewalk lol I should start carrying gloves on me. I also put my guinea pig in my hoodie pouch and we used a grabber to pick up trash alongside my apartment building.
    Read More
  • 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?
    Amanda Costanzo's avatar
    Amanda Costanzo 4/10/2025 5:32 PM
    • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I am doing a Camogie Workshop this weekend which is a newer Pittsburgh Irish Sport for Women. They are on their 4th season here in Pittsburgh and are showing new players how the sport is played. I also plan on attending the Shadyside Art Festival on Sunday and In the Shadows Pop Up Market in Lawrenceville on Saturday.
    Read More