Kathryn Gadd

Allegheny County

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
97 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

35

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

30

minutes

spent outdoors

Kathryn 's actions

Land, Water, and Air

Produce No Waste for a 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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Sustainable Innovation

Explore Alternative Transportation Options

I will explore alternatives to using a car — such as walking, biking, carpooling, micro-mobility options, or public transit to reduce my carbon footprint. I will use alternative transit 2 miles per day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Meditate

Meditation helps build resilience and clarity. I will spend 10 minutes each day to meditate or create a moment of silence each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 1
DAILY ACTION

Wildlife

Protect Pollinators with a Plant or Mini-Habitat

Pollinators need a little help from their friends like us! I will take 3 steps to protect pollinators, such as planting a pollinator-friendly plant, installing a pollinator hotel, or by leaving leaf litter for pollinators to call home.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Attend Recycling & Waste Reduction Lunch & Learn

April 25

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
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?
Kathryn Gadd 4/11/2025 10:40 AM
I did a moving meditation in my office during my lunch break which included slow and intentional yoga movements. At the end of the session I was surprised how much time had passed and how completely in the moment--just concentrating on the way my body felt in the poses and my breath--I remained throughout. I definitely feel better equipped and energized to tackle a very busy afternoon of back to back meetings.

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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?
Kathryn Gadd 4/08/2025 12:52 PM
Even though it was cold for April, and there was a little bit of snow on the ground, I took my dog for an early morning walk before getting ready for work today. I love experiencing things with my dog on these little walks around the neighborhood. A tree I would walk past without ever paying attention to becomes fascinating to me, through my dog's eyes, when I notice it's inhabited by squirrels or birds. I think I come closest to reaching a zen state of mind when I'm spending this time with my dog. I know that these morning walks help me accept whatever the day brings with more patience and calm.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What’s one thing you can do in your yard, community, or daily routine to create a safer environment for pollinators? Be sure to share any photos of your actions to protect pollinators in the feed!
Kathryn Gadd 4/08/2025 12:48 PM
This year I am being very intentional in planning for spring and summer. Until it's safe for the pollinators and the little creatures that need shelter, I'm not going to mow or do anything intrusive in my small front and backyards. I'm also going to continue planting wildflowers that support pollinators as well as offer shelter for the local birds and wildlife. I'm most interested in really getting my compost pile going this year, in order to cut down on compostable items I would otherwise put into the trash or garbage disposal. Luckily, there is a lot of information available to guide me through this journey. I'm looking forward to building some habits and knowledge this month that carry me through all of the seasons to come!

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