Denise Krol
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 230 THIS WEEK
- 940 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO11poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO69meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO24pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO26poundswaste composted
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO570gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO1,500minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO155minutesspent learning
Denise's actions
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 30 minutes each day learning about the current status of local or global wildlife and how I can align my actions to support their livelihood.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 30 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.
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.
Land + Forests
Borrow Before I Buy
Why buy something I will only use once or a few times if someone nearby has it for me to borrow, and why not share something I have that someone may only need a few times a year? To reduce my consumption and waste, I will create or support the sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Smart Seafood Choices
We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 30 minutes learning about sustainable seafood choices, commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean, and share what I learned on the feed.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
I will spend 30 minutes learning more about the importance of freshwater + ocean conservation, and how I can reduce my water use. I will share what I learn with people in person, on social media, and on the feed.
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.
Climate + Air
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.
Land + Forests
Regenerative Agriculture and Me
Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 30 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).
Land + Forests
Compost Food Waste
Food in the landfill is one of the main sources of greenhouse gasses. I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day by composting my food.
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.
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Reduce Animal Products
One kilogram of beef and cheese emits 71kg and 24kg of greenhouse gasses, while 1kg of rice, grains, and legumes emits between 2-4kg. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts emit less than 1kg per 1kg. I will reduce my climate impact by enjoying 2 meatless meals and/or 2 vegan meals each day this week.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Share My "Why"
I will record a video to share why I am taking action this Earth Month, a sustainable swap I've made, and/or a local conservation effort in my area.
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
TRY A NEW VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN RECIPE
I will try a new vegetarian or vegan recipe and share how it turns out on the Ecochallenge feed, or with family and friends.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Denise Krol 4/25/2024 7:37 AMI've never asked in a restaurant before where their seafood comes from before I order it. That is definitely a step I can take. We don't eat much fish - but I like the idea of eating fish that is abundant and less sought after. Not a fan of mussels - but knowing that they are more sustainable makes me what to investigate more.-
Amber Weischedel 4/25/2024 7:40 AMI only eat fish I know where it comes from for this very reason. Great topic!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Save the BeesWhat did you plant for bees in your area? Please consider uploading a photo!
Denise Krol 4/23/2024 5:04 AMI had collected seeds last year and let them over-winter outside in a protected container. I had some bee balm seeds that I planted in a new area where I dug up some of the lawn to extend my wildflower garden. I hope to see hundreds of buzzing bees on the new plants in a month or two!-
Gayle Senn 4/26/2024 5:35 AMExcellent idea to collect last year's seeds and replant this year! Thank you for sharing!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Regenerative Agriculture and MeWhat did you learn about the practice and benefits of regenerative agriculture? How can you support healthy farming practices for people and the planet?
Denise Krol 4/22/2024 5:22 AMI love the idea of cover crops after the year's harvest is done. I will do more research into this idea to see what might be right for our latitude. I love to watch things grow at all times of the year and any cover crops that are good for the pollinators is exciting to me! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and OceansWhat did you learn about freshwater and oceans you did not already know? In sharing this information with people in your life, which conversation was impactful to you?
Denise Krol 4/21/2024 5:34 PMThe fact that seawater rise could affect ground water by changing the salinity which would in turn affect our drinkable water supply is something I never thought of before. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Understand My Water FootprintWhat did you learn about your water footprint and what are you going to do to reduce and be aware of the water you use?
Denise Krol 4/21/2024 5:32 PMThe virtual water footprint is something I don't tend to think about very much. The family has reigned in on water use inside and outside pretty well in the last few years. Our water barrel comes down in winter but is back up and we are watering inside and outside plants with it. This winter we also melted snow water in big 5 gallon buckets so we could conserve but still water our indoor plants. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Low Water GardeningWhat are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.
Denise Krol 4/20/2024 9:55 AMIn my village - there are threats of flooding due to low-lying areas and a local river. High rain can cause floods.
Also - expanded pavement areas in my neighborhood make it difficult for the water to have a place to go other than storm sewers. Certain areas of my yard collect a lot of water and I have adjusted the plants in that area to be "water loving" natives so other things don't get flooded out. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Weekly Meal PlanningHow did it feel to plan out your meals and stick to them in an effort to reduce food waste?
Denise Krol 4/09/2024 6:21 AMI love having a refrigerator that is not overflowing with old food. I do cheat and plan out dinners through Hello Fresh, but taking a more concerted effort to not have extra things on hand for lunch and breakfast has really made a difference.
I LOVE being able to see my fridge shelves mid-week instead of just when I clean out the fridge! -
Denise Krol 4/07/2024 3:04 PMMy teenager found and made a delicious Masoor Dal Tadka recipe (red lentil stew). We also made paratha to go with it and defrosted some mango chutney we had made for another Indian food meal. There are lots of Indian recipes that are meatless that we love to experiment with when planning out dinners!-
Denise Krol 4/07/2024 3:06 PM
Yummy!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Explore My AreaWhere did you go for your walk or hike in nature? What were the benefits of doing so?
Denise Krol 4/06/2024 2:49 PMToday I was able to explore a section of trail in Lyons Woods that I usually walk past. The Chorus Frogs were singing loud in this area and I discovered some small ponds I didn't know existed. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests 30 for 30 in NatureWhat have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?
Denise Krol 4/05/2024 5:58 AMWith the spring chill - it just feels good to get "fresh" air in my lungs and listen to nature. There are so many birds, amphibians (I've heard chorus frogs and spring peepers already) and insects to listen to if we can get outside. All those small birds you see - they aren't all sparrows! If you pay attention to the sights and sounds, your bound to see wrens, chickadees, finches and juncos! If you're a curious person - outside is a great place to be!