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Denise Krol's avatar

Denise Krol

Walgreens Boots Alliance

"It's not what you have, it's what you do with what you have."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 215 THIS WEEK
  • 761 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    carbon footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    50
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    5.0
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    3.0
    water collection systems
    installed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    360
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    118
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    725
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent learning

Denise's actions

Wildlife

Learn How to Save the Bees

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 30 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

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

Wildlife

Enjoy a Meatless Meal

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 2 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Plant (or Adopt) a Plant

Landscaping with native plants, gardening, and having plants inside can have benefits for nature and our health. I will plant or adopt a new plant or grow one from seeds and post a photo of it to the feed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Reducing energy use helps protect the air and climate. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy and reduce pollution.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn to Grow Plants Your Way

Growing plants can be rewarding and can create habitats big and small for wildlife. And, we can grow things almost anywhere! I will spend 30 minutes researching options for growing plants either inside or outside.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Collect Rain Water

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports gardens. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for 1 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn to be a Responsible Tourist

Being a responsible tourist means not disturbing wildlife and choosing eco-friendly tour operators and destinations that prioritize wildlife conservation and respect animal welfare. I will spend 30 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace means enjoying nature responsibly by minimizing our impact and leaving the environment as we found it, or better. I will spend 30 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Calculate My Carbon Impact

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Learn About Water Justice

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 30 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Take Shorter Showers

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

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 1 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Choose a Product Made with Sustainable Materials

Every choice matters. I will purchase or switch to products made from sustainable or recycled materials to support innovation and reduce environmental impact.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Replace Old Bulbs with LED Bulbs

Energy-efficient lighting is a bright idea. I will replace 5 incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 5 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Explore My Area

Discovering what’s nearby fosters a deeper connection to my community. I will explore 3 new places in my area, such as parks, historical sites, or local businesses.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Health and Well-Being

Audit Toxic Products in my Home

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 30 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Save Water When Washing Dishes

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Learn About Moths as Pollinators

Attend the Moths Matter Presentation to learn more about moths, why they are important and what we can do to make our yards better suited for moths.

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    What water justice issues did you learn about, and who is most affected in your community? How can you contribute to creating equitable access to clean water in your area?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/18/2025 7:28 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Clean water isn't a huge issue where we live. I was surprised to find out 2 in 5 health care facilities don't have access to water for proper hygiene. I also didn't realize that it's BILLIONS of people affected. Not the Millions affected is much better, but this number is a lot larger than I anticipated.
  • 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?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/18/2025 7:22 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I searched around Wisconsin instead of Illinois - it's where I grew up. We would drive through the Menominee Indian Reservation to get to my grandparent's house in northern WI. While I knew bits and pieces of the history, it was interesting to learn more.
    Also to note - in college visits this last year, it was interesting that more than one acknowledge that they were built on sacred land of Native American tribes. Their tours started with paying homage to the people that were here before us which I found enlightening and a more in the right direction.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    How did changing your dishwashing habits make you more mindful of water use? What other small changes can you make to conserve water in your household?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/15/2025 5:16 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I know we can do a better job of packing the dishwasher. More plates/bowls/cups can probably fit. It's a bit relaxing to run the dishwasher less often.
    I think watering plants and being aware of how much we are running water to get it to heat up or cool down is where my family can improve. We started to keep a watering can next to the sink. If you need to run water to get it to the right temp, we can put it directly in the vessel we'll use for watering our indoor plants later.

    • Gayle Senn's avatar
      Gayle Senn 4/16/2025 8:47 AM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      Thank you for sharing the tip on keeping a watering can next to the sink! What a fantastic idea!

    • Kimberly Brewton's avatar
      Kimberly Brewton 4/15/2025 1:21 PM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      That's a great idea! I'm going to try to save my running water for my plants too!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    How did exercising each day impact your physical or mental well-being? What activity did you enjoy most, and why?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/15/2025 5:13 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Walking outside is my favorite activity. If I'm able to take a walk alone - it's like a meditation. A walk with family or friends is connection. Love the fresh air and the best walks are surrounded by nature - but even a walk in the neighborhood is awesome!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How do pollinators impact your daily life, and what changes can you make to ensure they continue to thrive?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/13/2025 10:26 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I purposefully plant lots of native wildflowers to help the bees in my area. I also have mason bee homes and a source of water for bees in my garden. Bees are very important to our plants and agriculture.
    I was a bit disappointed in one of the articles that focused on the European Honey Bee and not native bees. The honey bees - while great - are actually causing some of our natural bees to decline.
    I'm hoping in the future we can make better use of our natural pollinators and not focus on non-native species.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Sustainable Innovation
    How did replacing old bulbs with LED bulbs make you feel about reducing your energy consumption? What other small energy-saving actions could you take to reduce your environmental impact?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/13/2025 10:17 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Most of our bulbs were replaced, but we did find a couple more areas of the house where we hadn't converted over. The Eco-Challenge was a great time to shoot this to the top of our To-Do List and get them changed!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What surprised you most about the products you use in your home?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/13/2025 10:15 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I have been aware of cleaning chemicals like surface sprays and toilet cleaners for a long time and have lots of natural solutions, but I never really thought too long and hard about laundry. While my family doesn't like heavy scents from the laundry, I haven't completed moved over to all eco-friendly products. I can do a better job there for sure! Time to shop Seventh Generation at Walgreens!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How was your experience intentionally trying to eat less meat?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/13/2025 10:10 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    This should be an overall lifestyle change and I think I do feel better when there are more vegetables and no meat. I don't feel "stuffed" but I can eat a large volume and I definitely feel full. My only concern is overall protein and making sure I get all the amino acids from the variety I eat if I'm not eating the complete proteins of meat.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet? What fruits or vegetables did you try this week, and which was your favorite?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/13/2025 10:07 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Took the time to cut up and shred a multitude of vegetables for a big salad. Felt great to have such a variety - tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, sprouts, grapes, blueberries, carrots, 3 kinds of greens... During the week I don't always have time, but doing it on the weekend and having extra will help with meals during the week!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    How did shortening your showers affect your awareness of water conservation? What other water-saving practices can you adopt in your daily routine?

    Denise Krol's avatar
    Denise Krol 4/11/2025 5:03 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Stopping the water flow during certain parts of a shower - like when you lather or shave - certainly saves water. Your shower may not feel as luxurious, but I think back to a time when I was camping and only had access to a small amount of heated water. We had a "solar shower" set up so water could be heated naturally but you used the most water at the end of the shower to rinse. The access to clean water for us is a luxury that I think we regularly take for granted. It's a privilege that we most certainly take for granted.