Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation

April 1 - April 30, 2025

Jen McCutchen

"My mission this April is to refocus my awareness on how I live day to day on and with the planet, the people, and myself."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
813 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

39

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

carbon footprint

calculated
UP TO

20

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

2.0

random acts of kindness

completed
UP TO

80

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

45

expressions of gratitude

shared
UP TO

1.0

sharing economy

explored
UP TO

2.0

community events

hosted or attended
UP TO

1.0

hour

volunteered
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning

Jen's actions

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

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

Land, Water, and Air

Calculate My Carbon Impact

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

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 1 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 5 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Enjoy a Meatless Meal

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Make Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Express Gratitude and Random Acts of Kindness

Small acts of kindness and gratitude can brighten someone's day and create a positive ripple effect. I will express gratitude to 2 people or perform 1 random acts of kindness to spread joy and connection.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Keep My Community Clean

A clean community benefits everyone. Each day I am outside, I will pick up 5 pieces of litter to keep my community clean.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace means enjoying nature responsibly by minimizing our impact and leaving the environment as we found it, or better. I will spend 30 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.

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

Community and Connection

Swap and Share with Others

Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 1 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

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 was your experience intentionally trying to eat less meat?
Jen McCutchen 4/30/2025 11:15 AM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
I've spent this month working in a lot more vegetarian (and a few vegan) meals. I already limit my animal-product intake, but I've focused on making 1-2 meals a day fully vegetarian and have enjoyed the variety. I prefer veggies and fruits over meat anyhow, but with a husband that is the opposite, we often build a meal around the animal protein, so I've started slipping in meals without the signature centerpiece and generally have had a positive reaction. And, for the days where that won't fly and he needs some chicken or bacon- I'll make my own breakfast and lunch without and enjoy meat in a limited quantity. It's been good for us both to play with new recipes and habits this April!

Read More
Jen McCutchen 4/30/2025 7:31 AM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
Here, on the last day of the challenge, I'm reflecting on what I accomplished this last month that goes beyond my "regular routine", and some of those things are likely to stay with me going forward. I also learned that there are other categories I should have made one of my 5 daily priorities, so I'll be more prepared next time to create a more-fitting mix of daily activities with one-time actions, but I'm glad to have participated this earth month! Thanks to everyone for the high-fives and comments of support and encouragement!

Read More
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?
Jen McCutchen 4/28/2025 11:42 AM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
I entered a local art gallery show where the challenge is to keep your work to a 6" x 6" sized wood board. I haven't painted in quite some time, but I thought it would be a good way to get back in touch with my creative side and meet others in the community that are participating. It's so great to be reminded that creativity is everywhere. It's not exclusive to the big cities or the world stage, but little towns are filled with beauty, as well.

Read More
- Morgan Nida 4/30/2025 6:20 AM
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Jen, how wonderful! I'd love to see your 6"x6" piece of art!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

Where in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
Jen McCutchen 4/24/2025 1:22 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
It was interesting to learn that "western civilization households" tend to average 10 tons of CO2 emmissions per year, while the rest of the world average 5, but if we're going to beat climate change and find some sustainability, each household worldwide needs to achieve 2 tons!
This feels overwhelming!
I calculated my generic carbon footprint and it came up as 8.8, so I'm glad to be below the average USA number, but I'm so far away from where I need to be.
It's tricky as the suggestions are "install solar panels", "get an electric car", "replace the insulation in your old house", "travel by train or ferry", and "bike to work". I'm not in a place to make most of these part of my life and budget, but I can continue to fine-tune some of the areas where I am making progress and try and improve on those. Purchase more second-hand goods, use LED bulbs, minimize foods waste, grow your own food, buy local, etc. I can and do attempt to do these things in my day-to-day and will make a more conscious effort to increase my mindfulness around these until I am able to tackle the larger ticket items.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community and Connection

How did keeping your community more clean connect you more to your local area? Did picking up litter change your perspective on the cleanliness of your community?
Jen McCutchen 4/21/2025 1:16 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
So, I live between 2 buildings that belong to one high school- so the kids can make quite the mess with wrappers from the local Taco Bell and 7-11 when walking between buildings. The city placed minimal trash receptacles, so the ground becomes the default for litter. What my husband and I decided to do was place our personal trash dumpster on the corner of our property to promote kids using it on our dime. Technically, this goes against town code, but authorities have left us to our kind gesture as I think they see the greater good for our street and community. Occasionally, kids throw trash "near" the can, instead of in, so we make a couple of weekly strolls down the walkway to clean up the litter, but it has drastically cut down on the refuse that gets stuck in my and my neighbors yards!

Read More
- Michelle Ryan 4/23/2025 1:34 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  16-DAY STREAK
  Love this! You go, girl!
  
  Read More
- Mary Hanks 4/21/2025 1:39 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  Book Lover 📚
  
  16-DAY STREAK
  Jen, I think this is a great solution, and I'm glad the powers that be are not giving you grief over it. I hope the students appreciate what you're doing.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What is one way you can reduce your impact on nature the next time you spend time outdoors, and how might that action help preserve the environment for others?
Jen McCutchen 4/21/2025 12:18 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
You think you know these, but in digging deeper and reading about ways to keep your damage reduced when out in the world was a good reminder of some actions and tips! We can balance existence and enjoyment with nature by staying mindful and prepared.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community and Connection

What skill or service did you offer, and how did it impact someone in your community? How did sharing your expertise or time help you feel more connected to others?
Jen McCutchen 4/21/2025 12:16 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
I offered my cooking skills to cater my brother's 40th birthday party!
It was so wonderful to stretch my skills and be successfully in getting everything done. It went over very well, and people seemed to really enjoy it!

Read More
- Vignesh Vijayaraj 4/21/2025 12:19 PM
  
  Wildlife Guardian 🦉
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Great
  
  Read More
- Vignesh Vijayaraj 4/21/2025 12:19 PM
  
  Wildlife Guardian 🦉
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Great
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community and Connection

How did expressing gratitude or performing acts of kindness impact you and the recipient? Did anything surprise you about your experience?
Jen McCutchen 4/14/2025 12:53 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
Sometimes, it's really the little things that can turn a sour day to sweet. Having worked in retail FOREVER, customer service takes a special individual. I'm always kind to people serving me, but I could sense that my cashier today needed a little boost, so I was very patient, outwardly expressed thanks, praised their work, and got a bit of a calmer smile in return. I sensed that person just needed a positive interaction, so I'm hopeful that offsets the rough start they had in their day. I feel good being nice to people and see it instantly making (even a tiny) impact.

Read More
- Morgan Nida 4/14/2025 1:49 PM
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Oh boy! The times I've wished for you to visit me at the register in-between the years 2007 - 2019 are countless! Keep serving that greater purpose Jen! You're truly the best!
  
  Read More
- Ella Arce 4/14/2025 1:34 PM
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  
  16-DAY STREAK
  As someone who worked in customer service for over a decade, thank you! I've been on the receiving end of a kind smile on a rough day in customer service and I can say confidently that it makes a tremendous difference. Keep on spreading that kindness and sunshine! You are so appreciated!
  
  Read More
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?
Jen McCutchen 4/09/2025 3:40 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
My husband and I have been collecting items we no longer need and today was the day we made a run to our local donation center to get these out of our house and available to others that can utilize them. It always feels good to clean AND not to waste. These items were gently loved and have many more years of use for people that are in need of them!

Read More
- Marie Wilson 4/09/2025 3:47 PM
  
  Earth Advocate 📣
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Thanks for sharing your inspiration..and thank you for caring!! 🙏 Changing the world one act of kindness at a time!!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community and Connection

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?
Jen McCutchen 4/07/2025 1:52 PM
- Foodie 🍱
- 15-DAY STREAK
I had friends and family over on Sunday to celebrate my husband's birthday, and it was such a lovely gathering of people that don't often see each other but that enjoyed one another that day! I served clean, homemade food including burgers made with Grass-fed/Grass--finished, pasture raised beef (but also had vegetarian options)! Lots of fresh organic veggies and fruits, some GF Mac & Cheese, and N/A Drinks that were crisp and refreshing- so I felt really good about serving loved one with a menu and event that was healthy and earth friendly.

Read More
- Kristi Trujillo 4/09/2025 9:58 AM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  Foodie 🍱
  
  7-DAY STREAK
  I love this for you! Coming together with your family to create your community and enjoy good food and company is the best! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday!
  
  Read More
- Tara Ross 4/08/2025 6:23 AM
  
  Book Lover 📚
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Jen,
  That sounds so fun, and I know your husband appreciates you for doing that. We need more people like you to serve up the good stuff for parties to keep us healthy and living longer.
  
  Read More