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Melissa Marengo's avatar

Melissa Marengo

MTM Health Green Team

Melissa's points

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 176 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    80
    gallons of water
    saved
  • UP TO
    34
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    55
    minutes
    spent learning

Melissa's actions

Soil and Food

Learn How to Save Pollinators

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spend 15 minutes learning how to support local pollinators and take at least one action—such as planting native flowers or avoiding pesticides—to help sustain resilient ecosystems and harvests.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Choose Native Plants

Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife and help ecosystems adapt to change. I will choose native plants for my yard, balcony, or community space instead of non-native or ornamental species to support biodiversity resilience.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Reduce Light Pollution

Too much artificial light can confuse and harm animals, especially those active at night. I will reduce sources of outdoor light or switch to wildlife-friendly fixtures to support healthy habitats.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Speak Up for Wildlife Protection

Wildlife needs support from people. I will take 2 actions, such as volunteering, signing petitions, contacting leaders, or sharing information on social media, to help protect habitats and species.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Leave the Leaves

Fallen leaves, logs, and brush provide shelter and food for wildlife. I will leave natural features in my yard or community space to help strengthen biodiversity and soil resilience.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Learn About Local Keystone Species

Some species are especially important because they help keep whole ecosystems in balance. I will spend 15 minutes learning about a keystone species near me and how it supports biodiversity and resilience.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is a simple way to boost our personal health and support a more resilient food system. I will prepare and enjoy 4 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal

Reduce Refined Sugar

Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity and 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 10 minutes learning about ways to ensure my pet’s behavior and care practices protect local wildlife and their ecosystems.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water
    How did shortening your showers affect your awareness of water conservation? What other water-saving practices can you adopt in your daily routine?

    Melissa Marengo's avatar
    Melissa Marengo 4/10/2026 10:41 AM
    With the war currently happening, we have been discussing the impacts on the environment and the water supply for so many. The toxins released from bombs should make us all think about our air, water, and wildlife. Taking shorter showers is the least I could do to help the environment,
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal
    Before you started this challenge, did you think you were 'addicted' to sugar? How do you feel now? What was the most challenging part of reducing refined sugar, and how did you overcome it?

    Melissa Marengo's avatar
    Melissa Marengo 4/10/2026 10:37 AM
    I really looked at alternatives; I found myself going towards fruits. I also find when I take probiotics, I really crave less sugar overall.