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Welcome to Earth Month Ecochallenge 2024: Conservation!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Month Ecochallenge 2024: Conservation expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org
Earth Month Ecochallenge 2024: Conservation
April 1 - April 30, 2024
Gail Keller's avatar

Gail Keller

U.S. Bank

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 225 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    4.0
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    165
    minutes
    spent learning

Gail's actions

Land + Forests

Keep My Community Clean

At times it may not feel like it's up to us to keep our community clean and healthy, but we all have a role to play. Each day I am outside, I will pick up any litter I see.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Freshwater + Oceans

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

It's estimated over a billion water bottles are thrown away each year. Even if they were recycled, that still uses energy and resources from the earth. I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 1 hours in my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags can be mistaken for food by many wild animals and can end up in habitats that harm wildlife. I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Learn about Native Species

The world is full of unique species. I will spend 10 minutes each day learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Save the Bees

Bees are vital to ecosystems. To help save the bees, I will learn which local flowers provide nectar and plant them in my backyard or in a pot on my balcony.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Grow Local

I will research and plant a garden filled with native fruits, vegetables, and flowers to nurture local wildlife and ecosystems. I will find nearby nurseries that offer plants native to my area.

COMPLETED 5
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
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Grow Local
    How did it feel to plant something native in your area to support local wildlife and biodiversity? What did you plant? Please consider adding a photo.
    Gail Keller's avatar
    Gail Keller 4/22/2024 8:18 AM
    I planted native Milkweed. There are many great websites to find native plants. I found excellent information at GrowNative! (Missouri Prarie Foundation), the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. GrowNative! has a list of member nurseries that specifically identify native plants. Choose plants based on soil type, sun exposure and other conditions (dry, moist, sunny, shaded, sandy or loam) as this will ensure happy plants that thrive in your garden.

    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Learn about Native Species
    What did you learn about a native plant or animal species in your region?
    Gail Keller's avatar
    Gail Keller 4/22/2024 8:01 AM
    Native plants require less, if any, maintenance (i.e. watering, fertilizing) because they are uniquely complemented to their environment and climate. Native plants also naturally provide food and shelter for wildlife. There are many native varieties of Milkweed in my state and, in addition to being the ONLY food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, their flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, moths, and ants. Milkweed has it's own ecosystem. Milkweed bugs feed on the seed pods, Tussock moth caterpillars also eat the leaves. Other insects lay eggs on the undersides of its leaves. Monarch caterpillars eat the leaves, pods, and flowers. Many pollinators feed on the nectar inside the fragant flowers. Milkweed
    flower clusters feature a corona which consists of 5 hoods with beaks sitting above the 5 petals and sepals.
    Read More
  • Gail Keller's avatar
    Gail Keller 4/22/2024 5:58 AM
    Golden Alexander is an early bloomer and occasionally it bloom again in the fall if conditions are right. It is host to the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly and I have spotted their caterpillars many times.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Save the Bees
    What did you plant for bees in your area? Please consider uploading a photo!
    Gail Keller's avatar
    Gail Keller 4/22/2024 5:56 AM
    In springtime the bees are all over the blooms of the Holly in my yard. I have native perennial plants that bloom at various times so that once spring arrives, there's always something for pollinators. Golden Alexander is starting to flower and Wild Bergemot and Bee Balm will follow. Fall is beautiful with aromatic asters that the honey bees love. I also plant some annuals like Zinnias, Cosmos, and Tithonia which are favorites of bumble bees and other native bees.
    Read More
  • Gail Keller's avatar
    Gail Keller 4/19/2024 7:53 PM
    My brother took these photos of a honey bee swarm. In the spring, new queens leave the hive and her swarm protects her as they search for place to build their new
    hive.
    Read More