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
Community and Connection
Keep My Community Clean
A clean community benefits everyone. Each day I am outside, I will pick up 5 pieces of litter to keep my community clean.
COMPLETED 2
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 1
DAILY 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
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
Explore My Area
Discovering what’s nearby fosters a deeper connection to my community. I will explore 2 new places in my area, such as parks, historical sites, or local businesses.
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 2 local businesses or restaurants, with a focus on businesses owned by people of color, local farmers, or community members.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
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 27
DAILY ACTIONS
Health and Well-Being
Exercise Daily
Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 60 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.
COMPLETED 25
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
Health and Well-Being
What did you observe or experience while spending time outside, and how did it affect you? How does connecting with nature enhance your physical and mental well-being?
I feel happiest when I am amongst the trees. After a long stressful day of work getting outside in nature is a must. Happy Arbor Day! Do you have a favorite tree? Trees are incredible organisms with many fascinating properties and benefits. They are some of the oldest and tallest living things on Earth, playing a vital role in our environment and even influencing human culture and well-being.
Agreed - great picture! My favorite tree by far - the oak tree. It is host to so many insect species. It also provides so much food for so many including humans. In a landslide year of acorns, we collect, dry and grind the nuts to make acorn flour. Some of the best pasta and crepes we've made have been from this abundant food source!
How did keeping your community more clean connect you more to your local area? Did picking up litter change your perspective on the cleanliness of your community?
I participated in a neighborhood cleanup today. It was great to meet new neighbors and talk about ways to keep our area clean. Our neighborhood borders the Tonto National Forest, unfortunately recreators do not always clean up after themselves. We have open range cattle, elk and javelina in the area so it is important for these animals to have a clean environment.
In preparation for wildfire season, we created a defensible space around our home. We cleared underbrush, trimmed tree branches and installed an additional water hydrant on our property.
Over the weekend I enjoyed the outdoors, explored my area and supported local businesses. It felt amazing to be out in the elements, explore other areas of my state and meet new people. I visited Rainbow Bridge National Monument, toured a slot canyon on the Navajo Reservation, visited Wupatki National Monument, ate Navajo Tacos and purchased goods from local shops.
Beautiful pictures Aimee!! Thank you for sharing!! What a fantastic way to spend the weekend! The second picture is very interesting - I am assuming it is the slot canyon? Wonderful experiences. The tacos look great too!! :)
Awesome! Spending outdoors not only improves our mental and physical health, but it also deepens our connection to Earth - making one more likely to protect it!
Denise Krol 4/28/2025 5:08 AM
Gayle Senn 4/25/2025 7:41 PM
