"I am committed to taking meaningful action toward a healthier planet by participating in the Ecochallenge every year. I believe that small, collective changes can create a lasting impact, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. With the support of my organization, I strive to protect and preserve nature so that my young daughters—and all future generations—can experience a world that is as beautiful, if not more beautiful, than it is today."
POINTS TOTAL
0
TODAY
0
THIS WEEK
1,029
TOTAL
participant impact
UP TO
500
gallons of water
saved
UP TO
1.0
water collection system
installed
UP TO
1.0
product
replaced with sustainable alternatives
UP TO
1.0
sharing economy
explored
UP TO
5.0
advocacy actions
completed
UP TO
2.0
community events
hosted or attended
UP TO
1.0
environmental book
read
Zulema 's actions
Share My Why
Take the Earth Month Ecochallenge Feedback Survey
I will take a short survey about my experience to help the Ecochallenge team improve future events, earn a chance to win a prize, and earn 15 points!
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Share My Why
Share My Why
I will share my Ecochallenge story and why I'm taking action for the planet — and earn 15 points!
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 26
DAILY ACTIONS
Land, Water, and Air
Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper Products
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. I will learn about certification labels and buy wood and paper products certified as sustainable or recycled to protect forests and reduce environmental harm.
COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS
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 25
DAILY ACTIONS
Land, Water, and Air
Join a Cleanup Effort
Working together to clean up public spaces helps the environment and builds community. I will participate in 2 community cleanup efforts in my neighborhood or local area.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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 4 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Health and Well-Being
Replace a Product
Small changes can make a big difference for health and sustainability. Using what I learned from auditing ingredients in the products I use, I will replace 2 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Community and Connection
Host a Gathering
Bringing people together helps strengthen bonds. I will organize and host a gathering, such as a potluck, coffee meet up, or shared meal, for friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors to foster connection and community spirit.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Community and Connection
Swap and Share with Others
Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 4 swaps or sharing activities, like borrowing items, attending or hosting a swap meet, or giving away items I no longer need to support a sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.
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.
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Sustainable Innovation
Advocate For Better Food Packaging
When companies and governments make large-scale changes to their products and practices, it makes sustainability more accessible to the masses, in turn creating further demand for sustainable products, and the cycle continues. I will advocate for improved, sustainable food packaging through petitions, letters, or by supporting brands that prioritize eco-friendly packaging - and share my advocacy actions on the feed.
COMPLETED
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 60 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Wildlife
Donate to Support Wildlife
There are many amazing projects supporting wildlife and their habitats. I will choose a project or organization to support that helps species and habitats I care about and make a donation.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Health and Well-Being
Prepare for Extreme Weather
Extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can disrupt lives and upend our communities. I will take proactive steps to prepare for extreme weather by safeguarding my home and creating or updating an emergency plan and kit with essential supplies, evacuation routes, and contact information.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Empowering the Next Generation
Read an Environmental Book with a Child
Stories inspire curiosity and care for the world. I will read 5 environmental-themed books with a child to help them learn about nature and sustainability.
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
Sustainable Innovation
What actions did you take to advocate for sustainable food packaging, and how were they received? How do you think widespread changes in food packaging could benefit the planet?
This week, I had the opportunity to attend the SPC Impact: Harmonizing Action conference on sustainable packaging. I came away deeply inspired by the meaningful conversations and the passionate advocacy for smarter, more sustainable solutions—not just for food packaging, but for everything that reaches consumers. It's clear: we can and must do better. Let’s work together to build systems that truly support a circular economy and responsible end-of-life solutions for all materials.
I'm participating in the Earth Month Ecochallenge to learn more about how I can make a positive impact, even through small changes in my daily life. I also want to involve my husband and young daughters, so we can grow together as a family in taking care of our planet. It’s a great opportunity to create lasting habits and show my girls the power of working together for a better future!
I just started composting at home. I will teach my daughters and have them help me along the way. I hope this is something they will keep with them throughout their lives.
I started composting with my husband and kids and made them a notecard on the lid with what they should put in - egg shells, fruit and veggie leftovers, coffee grounds and tea bags, torn paper and cardboard, etc., and not put in - meat, oil, grease, fat, treated paper. :)
How did it feel to plant something, and what kind of gardening did you do (indoors, hydroponic, outside in a garden, etc)? What did you plant and where? Feel free to share a photo to the feed!
Spent the morning gardening with the girls. We planted several different kinds of fruits and vegetables. 🥕 🍅 It will be fun to track the progress of their hard work.
Took a walk along our local beach today—getting some steps in and soaking up the beauty of the ocean. There's something about the sound of the waves and the salty breeze that instantly grounds me. The ocean is my happy place, where I go to recharge—good for the body, even better for the soul.
Last year, I took my daughters to a local Earth Day event where we met a young girl author selling books she'd written about the environment. My girls were fascinated, and now her stories have become regular reads at home. I love the conversations they spark—even my 4- and 6-year-old had thoughts about e-waste last night!
Forests are super important to me personally—they give us clean air, help keep the climate in balance, and are just a peaceful place to enjoy nature and recharge. I also appreciate how they support so much life and natural beauty.
When I buy wood or paper products, I try to look for things that are FSC certified because it means the materials were sourced responsibly. I also like to choose products made with postconsumer recycled content—it just feels better knowing I’m helping reduce waste and supporting more sustainable options.
What was the most unexpected piece of trash that was picked up during your local cleanup effort? How does working with others to clean up your community make you feel?
What an incredible way to start the day—on a boat, at the beach, surrounded by amazing people, all coming together for an even more amazing cause. Today, we removed 500 pounds of trash from the shoreline. Grateful to be part of something that makes a real difference!
What was the most rewarding part of bringing people together for a gathering? Did you experience any challenges in hosting, and if so, how did you overcome them?
The most rewarding part of hosting a dinner at my home was seeing my kids spend quality time with their grandparents. Weekday gatherings are challenging for us due to work, school, and the usual daily responsibilities, but making the effort to bring everyone together was truly worth it. While hosting on a weeknight required extra planning and energy, we overcame this by being intentional—simplifying the meal, preparing in advance, and focusing on the joy of togetherness rather than perfection. In the end, the time spent with family made all the effort worthwhile.
Could not agree more Zulema - we all feel busy so its important that we find ways for our families to stay connected, share experiences and stories. It helps us all to define "who we are". Thanks for sharing!
I choose to participate in the Ecochallenge every year because I believe in the power of small, collective actions to create lasting change. I’m excited to be part of an organization that supports this initiative, knowing that our efforts today will help shape a better, healthier planet for future generations. As a parent, I want my young daughters to grow up in a world where nature is as beautiful—if not more beautiful—than it is today, so they can enjoy and cherish it for years to come.
Lisa Brenskelle 4/30/2025 4:23 PM
