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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
Kayla Kiecksee's avatar

Kayla Kiecksee

SUST 113 and Friends

"Taking care of our Earth while working to improve it one day & action at a time :)"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 65 THIS WEEK
  • 252 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    environmental audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    7.0
    neighbors
    met
  • UP TO
    50
    minutes
    spent learning

Kayla's actions

Empowering the Next Generation

Conduct an Audit with a Young Person

Learning by doing empowers youth. I will conduct an environmental audit — such as a home energy or waste audit — alongside a young person to teach them practical sustainability skills and see what I learn from them as well.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Meet My Neighbors

Strong neighborhoods are built on connection and trust. I will introduce myself to 2 neighbors or spend time getting to know people in my community.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Learn about Native Species

The world is full of unique species that all play an important role in nature. I will spend 20 minutes learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Visit or Learn About a Culturally Significant Site Near Me

Sites of cultural and spiritual significance hold deep meaning for many communities, particularly Indigenous peoples. I will learn about or visit a site near me that is significant to the history, culture, or environment of the area. I will approach my visit with respect by researching its importance and guidelines beforehand, reflecting on how we can preserve these spaces for future generations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Reduce Vehicle Idling

Idling cars wastes fuel, contributes to climate change, and pollutes the air in our communities. I will turn off my engine when waiting in my car to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY 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 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
    Wildlife
    What native species did you learn about in your area, and how do they contribute to your local ecosystem or community? How might your community change if these native species disappeared?
    Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/14/2025 6:04 PM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I learned about the fringed puccoon plant that's native to my area. The fringed puccoon provides food and a habitat while helping to stabilize soil and attract pollinators in the area. It also has a history of being used as a medicine by Native Americans. If this species disappeared, it would cause a shake-up in the habitat and food supply for many insects and animals and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    What was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?
    Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/14/2025 5:59 PM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    It was very difficult to have a zero waste day because of what my daily routine has been recently, especially in college life. I learned that I always have a habit of buying things throughout the day that will serve me in the moment and not in the long run. It makes me think more sustainably about my actions and I will be more conscious going forward.
    Read More
    • Tahliya Kruger's avatar
      Tahliya Kruger 4/16/2025 11:28 AM
      • Artist 🎨
      I can't imagine how hard a zero waste day would be in college. Sometimes I will grab a snack from the vending machine on long days, and maybe a snack at home later in the day too. As hard as it seems to be zero-waste, I think that if you can do it, then I can too!
      Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Empowering the Next Generation
    What did you and the young person learn from conducting the audit together, and how did it change their understanding of sustainability? Did anything change about your understanding of sustainability?
    Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/13/2025 5:56 PM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    We learned how each small action we make each day can have a ripple effect on the environment. My little cousin learned about sustainability and how she can do her part in the solution (like turning off water when she's not using it). It reminded her that awareness is the first step in the sustainability process, and hopefully, she carries these practices with her.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What did you learn about the sacred site’s history and significance? Why are these sites important to protect, support, and understand?
    Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/09/2025 10:47 AM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I visited Spirit Mound Prairie, which I learned many Native American tribes considered the home of dangerous spirits that kill any human who came near. Lewis and Clark also visited the trail, and it is one of the few places we know for sure they walked upon. Sites like these hold significance for the Natives and are cultural landmarks in our state's history. Keeping these historic sites clean and preserved is imperative as they give us knowledge of the past and a community's cultural identity.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    How did being mindful of vehicle idling change your perspective on fuel consumption and air quality? What other transportation habits can you adopt to reduce your environmental impact?
    Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/08/2025 9:57 PM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    This made me realize how often I idle in my car without even thinking about it. It also made me consider the amount of pollution I am helping to prevent by turning off the engine and getting out of my car when I get to my destination. Because warmer weather is on its way, I'm going to reduce my environmental impact by ditching my car for my bike and walking.
    Read More
  • Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/07/2025 3:24 PM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I joined the challenge for my class, but I am honestly enjoying it for myself as well. I chose the actions I did to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something different.
    Read More
    • Tammy Davis's avatar
      Tammy Davis 4/07/2025 3:31 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      I love the aspect of this that does challenge us to try / learn new things.
      Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What did you learn about your neighbors or community through this action? How can building connections with your neighbors improve your community?
    Kayla Kiecksee's avatar
    Kayla Kiecksee 4/07/2025 3:22 PM
    • Artist 🎨
    • 5-DAY STREAK
    I walked around when everyone was out enjoying the sun and learned more about what they love to do outside and why they came here in the first place. It's important to form bonds with those in your neighborhood so you can feel more like a trustworthy community working together to keep each home safe.
    Read More