Skip to main content
Ann Lloyd's avatar

Ann Lloyd

Emerson Twin Cities

""Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~John Muir"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 190 THIS WEEK
  • 976 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    sharing economy
    explored
  • UP TO
    20
    single-use bags
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water collection system
    installed
  • UP TO
    460
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    7.0
    beautification projects
    supported
  • UP TO
    58
    minutes
    spent learning

Ann's actions

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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Join your local Green Team or participate in an Earth Month activity organized by them

Get involved! Join your local Green Team to connect and work on local sustainability initiatives. Or, participate in one of the many Earth Month activities they've organized.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Empowering the Next Generation

Support a Youth-Led Project

Youth-led projects drive innovation and change. I will support youth-led environmental projects by offering time, resources, or encouragement and share how I supported youth on the Ecochallenge feed.

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

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags do not always end up in landfills and if they aren't properly disposed of. In nature, they can be mistaken for food by many wild animals and harm wildlife. When I go shopping, I will be sure to bring my own bags to reduce waste and the chance that plastic bags could find their way into wildlife habitats.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Wildlife

Learn to Be a Responsible Pet Owner

Being a responsible pet owner means minimizing the impact pets have on wildlife by keeping them indoors, never setting them 'free' into nature, and supervising pets when they are outside to prevent them from hunting or disturbing wild animals. This also keeps our pets safe from harm. I will spend 15 minutes learning about ways to ensure my pet’s behavior and care practices protect local wildlife and their ecosystems.

COMPLETED 9
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

Wildlife

Remove Invasive Species

Removing invasive species (species that are not naturally found in my area and can outcompete native plants) can help beautify nature around me and protect local biodiversity. I will learn about invasive plants in my area and, if possible, support or participate in at least one effort to beautify nature near me by removing invasive species.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Try At Least One Principle of Leave No Trace

After learning about the Principles of Leave No Trace, I will take at least one action to minimize my impact on the outdoors while enjoying nature. I will post what I tried to the feed to encourage others to do the same!

COMPLETED 16
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

Community and Connection

Swap and Share with Others

Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 2 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

Sustainable Innovation

Support a Crowdfunded Sustainability Innovation

Small contributions can drive big ideas. I will support a crowdfunded sustainability project to help bring innovative, eco-friendly solutions to life and share the project on social media or on the Ecochallenge feed.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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 4 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Go Get a Check Up

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Empowering the Next Generation

Host a Bio-blitz

A bio-blitz helps youth engage with local biodiversity. I will organize or participate in a bio-blitz with young people to identify and document the plants, animals, and insects in our area.

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

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 25 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.

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
    Wildlife
    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!

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/24/2025 6:01 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Gardening is a form of meditation for me. It is so calming. Our garden club had our annual seedling event. I picked up some herbs, vegetables, and flowers and added them to the collection I overwintered in the basement. It is too early for most things yet, but hoping for a better year in my backyard garden. Last year was rough!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    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?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/22/2025 11:34 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    This was hard work but fun!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What did you learn about how tourism impacts wildlife, and how can you make more conscious choices when planning a trip? How do you think your travel decisions can contribute to wildlife conservation and respectful interactions with nature?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/20/2025 1:26 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I don't know if I'll ever be fortunate enough to take a wildlife trip to Africa or Thailand, but I will do my homework and make it a responsible one if I do. I have enjoyed our local Erin Hassanzadeh's On The Edge recent documentary about the polar bears in Churchill. Getting great coverage. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/on-the-edge-captures-a-canadian-town-at-the-front-lines-of-climate-change/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    How did collecting rainwater influence your understanding of sustainable water use? What tasks or activities could benefit most from rainwater collection in your household?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/20/2025 6:31 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Our rain barrel has been quite an ordeal over the past winter. I didn't get it put away before it froze solid. We wanted to move it, but it had to weigh 300 lbs. I won't make that mistake again!
  • 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?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/17/2025 6:52 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I wasn't able to visit the sacred tribal location nearest me since it is a 5 hour drive, but I will make a visit this summer when I am on the north shore of Lake Superior. I did visit the Shakopee Mdewakanton website and read about their sustainability efforts. This community is very close to our headquarters location. https://shakopeedakota.org/environment/sustainability/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What invasive species did you learn about in your area, and how do they impact native plants and wildlife? If you were able to support or partiicpate in an effort to remove invasive species, what did you do, and how it go?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/13/2025 4:43 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    One effort of our lake association is to remove purple loosestrife, among other invasives. We have some growing in a wetland area adjacent to our property. I'll be getting out my waders in a few months to keep on top of this invader that clogs out the good plants.

  • Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/13/2025 4:16 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    We did a litter pick up today as we walked the dog at the park we often go to. Not too bad, but the biggest culprits are cigarette butts and dog waste bags that blow off in the wind and catch in the trees.

    • Lisa Brenskelle's avatar
      Lisa Brenskelle 4/13/2025 7:08 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 15-DAY STREAK
      Not the most fun things to pick up. thank you for cleaning up this litter.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/09/2025 5:37 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    This has become part of my DNA. I'm the lady carrying a stack of bags into Target (and always feel a spark of joy when I see someone else doing the same). I'm the lady pulling the perfectly clean plastic bags out of the top of the trash can to add to the recycling. I know all the places to take them. I put reusable lunch bags in our gift pile for our holiday swap game. I want to convert others.

    • Carmen  Deale's avatar
      Carmen Deale 4/09/2025 5:39 AM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • Exercise Lover 🤸
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      That’s an awesome idea Ann. Thank you for sharing.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    How did you participate in the sharing economy? (Consider posting a photo!) What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?

    Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/09/2025 5:28 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    We had our second spring cleaning event, this year using an online app to facilitate inclusivity for all 3 of our Twin Cities campus locations. Somewhat of a disappointing attendance. Thanks to all that did participate! We'll keep trying.

  • Ann Lloyd's avatar
    Ann Lloyd 4/07/2025 8:13 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Hey all Twin Cities eco-challenge participants, tomorrow is our spring cleaning raffle. If you have items you can no longer use and would like to find a new home for them, you can send the details to me for tomorrow's auction. We'd love to help you extend the life and find a new owner. Items are donations. https://emerson.sharepoint.com/sites/rtcgt/SitePages/Earth-Month-2025.aspx#spring-cleaning-raffle-online

    • Chad Blumeyer's avatar
      Chad Blumeyer 4/08/2025 10:42 AM
      • Climate Advocate 🌱
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Oooh, this is gonna be fun! I'm looking forward to finding something useful from today's swap meet.😊