Staying connected strengthens relationships and boosts well-being. Each day, I will reach out to 1 friends or colleagues to check in, have a meaningful conversation, or offer support.
COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 3 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.
COMPLETED
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
Community and Connection
Offer a Skill or Service
Sharing our talents can benefit those around us. I will offer my skills or services to support my community, such as helping someone with a task, tutoring, repairing something, or volunteering my expertise.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Participant Feed
REFLECTION
QUESTION
Community and Connection
What did you enjoy or learn from attending a local event in your community? How did participating in this event deepen your connection to your local area?
Today, I attended the Earth Day event in Multnomah Village. It was fun to mingle with so many nice and like-minded people. SOLV was their getting volunteers to pick up litter in the area. A local church sponsored a scavenger hunt with creative environmental and global themes. The Neighborhood House was giving away garden seeds and signing up people to donate excess food they grow with their Scatter Garden Program. The Art Center had projects for kids. I also made several important connections with Environmental Groups including The Nature Conservancy, Tryon Creek Watershed Council and Stormwater Stars. It was a perfect event to wrap up my Earth Week and reflect on all the good earth work being done by people in my community. The event deepened my connection to locall groups by making me aware of their projects and meeting people involved in them.
A few weeks ago, I visited a UNESCO World Heritage and cultural site in Oaxaca Mexico. The sacred place called Monte Alban is an ancient Zapotec city initially constructed in 500 BC. The massive site expanded over thousands of years to four square miles and likely housed up to 30,000 people at its peak. Like many of the Mayan sites, these were advanced cultures, with language, astronomy, art and even a sports complex. What I really enjoy about visiting sacred sites is learning about sophisticated civilizations that occurred globally. Many occurred independently, some connected through trade. These sites give me perspective on current civilizations and increases my understanding of what is important in the legacy we leave behind. Our understanding of sacred sites is through the lens of archaeology, astronomy, anthropology, architecture, history, and religion. The protection and understanding of these sites builds respect for the indigenous people who inhabited lands prior to colonization or being conquered. I have a greater appreciation and concern for civilizations like Palestine and Ukraine currently under siege. What are we losing
My earth month Ecochallenge has been difficult for me. I thought all the negative news would motivate me to achieve my more aspirational challenges but instead I have retreated to safe space of gardening and attending to family. I have spent days pulling invasive weeds at the PCC learning garden, at my mother in law's property in Port Orford and at home. It has been therapeutic. It is also satisfying to have the strength and motivation to pull out really invasive weeds roots and all. In Port Orford, I filled the bed of a pickup truck with English Ivy and scotch Broom and my mother in-law and I hauled them to the transfer center where it will be burned. I debated in my mind if this is the best processing of invasives and concluded that it was. Burying these invasives would not kill them as they are so tenacious. Burning them would both kill them and reduce the massive foot print they have at the transfer site. April is such a busy time for gardening in Oregon. I love being outside enjoying the blooming plants and buzzing mason bees all around and envisioning the fruit that will come as a result of this harmony. Gardening is a healthy escape for me from the horrible political situation we are experiencing. Maybe tomorrow I will feel like acting on my challenges.
Devi Venkatasubramanian 4/26/2025 9:26 PM
