Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend 15 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Educate the children
Share the information from Earthmonth.ecochallenge with my Girl Scout Troop. Share how important it is to get outside, get off the phone; look around and focus on the outdoors each day. I chose it because I have a GS Troop meeting tonight and it's a great kick off to the meeting.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 10 minutes learning about the beauty and body products I use to see if they are refillable or recyclable. If not, I will reach out to the manufacturer to advocate for those options.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Freshwater + Oceans
Smart Seafood Choices
We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 10 minutes learning about sustainable seafood choices, commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean, and share what I learned on the feed.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land + Forests
Zero Waste 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
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land + Forests
Personal Waste Audit
The waste we create daily can go unnoticed. I will track the waste I create in a day and post a photo log on the feed to see how much I create and where I can make different choices to reduce my waste going forward.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Freshwater + Oceans
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
Freshwater + Oceans
Low Water Gardening
Grass lawns are water-intensive and on average require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. Native plants are water-efficient and help maintain the balance and diversity of local ecosystems. I will plant native species with water-efficient plants to conserve water and improve the habitat, then post a photo on the feed to share.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs
When traveling, I will seek souvenirs that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Leave No Trace
I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace whenever I am outside.
COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS
Land + Forests
Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper
Trees provide food and habitat for local wildlife species, shade our streets and homes, and help keep our air and water clean by capturing pollutants. Buying products that help protect forests makes a difference. I will only purchase wood, furniture, and paper products from ecologically certified sources such as Forest Stewardship Council.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land + Forests
30 for 30 in Nature
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 (in a large or small patch of nature), then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.
COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS
Freshwater + Oceans
Cooking Oil Disposal
Pouring cooking oil down the drain can cause damage to waterways and ecosystems. I will learn how to properly dispose of cooking oil to help support healthy ecosystems.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
Action Track: Community
Plant Trees
Trees capture carbon and produce oxygen that is essential to life on earth. I will support this important piece of nature by organizing or joining a community group to plant 2 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate + Air
Consume only Needs vs Wants
The more stuff we consume, the more greenhouse gasses we put into the atmosphere. I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach this month and only buy things I need.
COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS
Climate + Air
Weekly Meal Planning
One third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, and so is the energy it takes to produce and transport that food. I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need and eating what I planned each day.
COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS
Climate + Air
Stay on the Ground
Carbon emissions from air travel is harmful to planetary and human health. Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Action Track: Community
Join a Cleanup Effort
I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Action Track: Community
Sustainability Lunch and Learn
Learning in a social setting can inspire connection and change. I will work with a friend or colleague to plan and host a lunch and learn at work, school, in my neighborhood or other location to learn more about an environmental topic important to me. After the lunch and learn, I will share more about it on the feed.
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?
Anyone have ideas on how to reduce or educate vendors to use paper not plastic take out containers? I got food to go last night and it was in a series of small plastic boxes with lids. Wondering if I can go in with my own containers when I place the order? I'm recyling these but it is so wasteful. Ideas?
It's maybe awkward, but maybe you could suggest that to the restaurant you're going to or ask about that when placing your order. That may be totally off their radar of consideration and you bringing it up could make them at least aware others care about cutting down plastic waste. Alternately, if you dine in, you can bring a tupperware you own for any leftovers
This daily check in and challenge is making me stop and think. I'm reconsidering my choices and actions. I'm stopping to pick up garbage off of the street as I walk and trying to engage in deeper conversations with my kids. It is after all, the future that we are all concerned about. What we do - impacts the future of our planet. Thought provoking.
This took a great deal of thought and planning. I didn't realize until I tried how much I waste; paper towels, tissues. Switched to cloth and had to slow down, remember and make the switch task to task. Amazing what one person wastes!
For tissues, like Kleenex and makeup removers, I went to a fabric store, checked out some soft cotton fabric, bought a square yard and tore them into 7x10" cloths, cleared up the frayed edges, washed them and now use them. I was them with my whites.
I've been doing this for more than 12 years and haven't bought, used, or thrown out any Kleenex tissues, makeup removers, cuts and anything else for personal use.
Something that has worked for me was to have a few hand towels for the kitchen and bathrooms and the smaller square towels for cleaning surfaces and floors. I use the Swiffer mop stick with my square towels and a natural spray cleaner for most surface cleaning (except toilets and showers, where I use diluted bleach).
When I'm finished with my dirty towels, I just throw them in my laundry pile.
I have not bought, used, out thrown out paper towels in about a decade!
Consuming only what we need vs. what we want can be really hard to do. What has been challenging about committing to this action for a month? What have you learned about yourself? Will you change any habits going forward?
Recent visit to Niagara Falls, NY and attendance at video on conservation efforts at the Falls in late 1880's. 1956 rock slide destroyed power plant and structures adjacent to Falls. Decision was made not to rebuild but try to preserve the natural surroundings. Interesting to see the difference between development of Canadian and US sides. Glad to see some efforts at recycling and protection of local bird nesting sites/sanctuaries. Tour operators now use electric boats on US side - wondering if Canadian tour companies do the same. Left me hopeful but still wondering about water quality.
Educator Stephanie Kaza advises her students to focus on what they care about most when addressing the enormity of ecological problems. Is there a specific area you feel particularly called to work on?
The basics - walking through my neighborhood and engaging with neighbors, picking up garbage and recycling as I walk. Being an advocate and role model.