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Val  Merlina's avatar

Val Merlina

Allegheny County

"PROTECT OUR PARKS & THOSE WHO WORK THERE"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 128 THIS WEEK
  • 282 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    8.0
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    371
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    4.0
    public officials or leaders
    contacted
  • UP TO
    10
    hours
    volunteered

Val 's actions

Land, Water, and Air

Attend Recycling & Waste Reduction Lunch & Learn

April 25

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Produce No Waste for a Day

The impacts of our waste are far reaching. I will create zero waste for an entire day and share my reflections and learnings on the feed.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Meditate

Meditation helps build resilience and clarity. I will spend 3 minutes each day to meditate or create a moment of silence each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Advocate for Forests

Forests are essential for clean air, biodiversity, and climate stability. I will write 1 letters or emails per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect forests in my community or beyond.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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 0 vegan meals each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 2 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

UNCOMPLETED
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
    Land, Water, and Air
    Why is protecting forests important to you, and what did you learn from your advocacy efforts? How can you inspire others to join in advocating for forest protection?

    Val  Merlina's avatar
    Val Merlina 4/16/2025 9:06 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    Protecting forests and public lands isn't just a good thing to do: it makes good sense to preserve habitats, places of historical significance, and green spaces that serve many purposes. While some are places the public can access and depend upon dedicated park staff (county, state, and federal!) to interpret and steward, other green spaces serve as a safe zone for supported wildlife and ecosystems. This is a critical mission, and I hope you'll join me in contacting our leaders to protect park lands, advocate for forest protection, and to support dedicated and selfless park staff who give their all to steward public lands and forests. Thank you to all park staff!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you notice about your thoughts or emotions during or after meditation? Did you find it easy or challenging to meditate?

    Val  Merlina's avatar
    Val Merlina 4/14/2025 8:15 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    After, I felt ready to tackle a long task ahead.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    How did exercising each day impact your physical or mental well-being? What activity did you enjoy most, and why?

    Val  Merlina's avatar
    Val Merlina 4/14/2025 8:14 AM
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    Exercising always helps clear my mind, brings a kind of stillness similar to meditation. Grateful to have gotten a good workout in between tasks!

    • Amy Storkamp (Saputo)'s avatar
      Amy Storkamp (Saputo) 4/14/2025 8:20 AM
      I always feel the same way after a workout and have gotten to the point that when I don't work out my day seems off.