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Evelyn Newton's avatar

Evelyn Newton

JAC Sustainability

"Librarian-in-training, trying to make a positive impact and conserve our environment."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 190 THIS WEEK
  • 894 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    34
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    28
    species
    logged
  • UP TO
    1.0
    sharing economy
    explored
  • UP TO
    72
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    8.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent learning

Evelyn's actions

Health and Well-Being

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 17
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 3 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

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

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 2 meatless meals and/or 0 vegan meals each day.

COMPLETED 16
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

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

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

Land, Water, and Air

Earth Day in the Agora

Come by the Agora on April 22nd and visit the different booths and activities. Bring your own mug for some free fairtrade hot chocolate.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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

COMPLETED
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

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Log Species to Help Scientists

The more we know about the wildlife around us, the better we can protect species. I will download a wildlife monitoring app and log 2 animal or plant species I discover.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

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

Community and Connection

Keep My Community Clean

A clean community benefits everyone. Each day I am outside, I will pick up 10 pieces of litter to keep my community clean.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Share Information about Local Resources

Knowledge of local resources helps communities thrive. I will learn about local resources, especially mutual aid groups, and share them with others on social media, in conversations, or in other ways that help spread the word.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Reduce Food Waste

Wasting food also wastes water, energy, and resources. I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Native Bee Workshop

On April 23 from 11:30-1:00pm in AME-120, learn about all the “other” bees who have been living in the shadow of the honey bee for far too long. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: -Introduction to the wonderful world of wild bees -Gain skills on how to identify wild bees -Learn what you can do to help them thrive on campus & in your own backyard

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

De-Stress Fest

Join us in the Agora on April 23-24 for our famous de-stress fest. Animal therapy, massage chairs, sound room and more!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Recycling Workshop

Learn about the new provincial recycling rules and get useful tips for sorting materials at home. Presentation offered by Société VIA April 17th in AME-606 12:30-1:30pm

UNCOMPLETED
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

Sustainable Innovation

Invest in the Future of Sustainability

Sustainable investments shape a greener future. I will research and invest in companies, funds, or projects that supports sustainability, such as renewable energy, green tech, or sustainable practices. I will share more about who I supported with others on social media or in the Ecochallenge feed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Plant Workshop

Come to AME-606 on April 10th for a plant sharing workshop with Josee Lanouette. Learn about how to care for common house plants and share your own tips with others. 12:30-1:30pm

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?


  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/15/2025 7:38 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Today I adopted a plant from the plant sale in AME! Haven't decided on a name yet.

    • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
      Melissa Tomecz 4/16/2025 6:50 PM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      I did that with one of my succulents, but adopted two more in the Fall and have not done that yet! Thanks for reminding me :)

    • Krithika V's avatar
      Krithika V 4/15/2025 7:52 PM
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      I named my plant "Drop"
      I believe "Little drops make a big ocean"
      Let us save little drops in our terrace or backyard.....
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What motivated you to schedule or attend your check-up, and how did it make you feel afterward that you completed this action?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/14/2025 5:22 AM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Finally getting a call for my follow up appointments and being able to go made me feel a bit more secure, and provided a sense of reassurance.

    • Esther Szeben's avatar
      Esther Szeben 4/14/2025 1:57 PM
      • Community Builder 🤝
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Those appointments can be unnerving but so worth it. It shows you are taking control of your health.

    • Olivia Nelson's avatar
      Olivia Nelson 4/14/2025 11:13 AM
      • Exercise Lover 🤸
      • 14-DAY STREAK
      Good for you! Making sure you are healthy is always a good feeling :)

    • shoma maliga's avatar
      shoma maliga 4/14/2025 5:26 AM
      • Artist 🎨
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      good for you...

  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/14/2025 5:15 AM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    The weather is looking nicer and nicer! Unfortunately, it looks like they're calling for snow/rain on Wednesday :(

    • Olivia Nelson's avatar
      Olivia Nelson 4/14/2025 11:15 AM
      • Exercise Lover 🤸
      • 14-DAY STREAK
      I love the nice days! I get outside every chance I get when I can!

    • shoma maliga's avatar
      shoma maliga 4/14/2025 5:22 AM
      • Artist 🎨
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      nice
  • 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?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/11/2025 8:06 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Earlier this month I participated in JAC sustainability's swap event! The students running it were very kind. I brought two cardigans and swapped them for a red shirt that looked cute. Sharing economies can help reduce the amount of waste we produce, since so often we throw away items we don't want or need that could have been repurposed by someone else.

  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/11/2025 8:01 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Today I saw (and heard) a great deal of birds species; robins, seagulls, crows, starlings, and more. I was able to log quite a few of them.

    • Anna Lepine's avatar
      Anna Lepine 4/12/2025 9:29 AM
      That's awesome! I challenged myself last winter to try to know the names of trees we walked by... But now I need a refresher.

  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/10/2025 6:02 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Today I learned about bird migratory routes in my nature identification class. Did you know that birds with land migratory routes mainly travel at night? A prevailing theory is that they use the orientation of the stars to distinguish north from south, and travel accordingly. However, light pollution and tall buildings disrupt this orientation and can prove fatal to the migrating birds. This is why some cities are trying to reduce the amount of light produces at night during certain months of spring. We can help by reducing or eliminating the amount of outdoor lights we keep on during the night, and by petitioning our cities and local municipalities to take action regarding this issue. Furthermore, the government of Canada website has published guidelines we can follow to help protect migratory species: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/avoiding-harm-migratory-birds/reduce-risk-migratory-birds.html



    • Lisa Brenskelle's avatar
      Lisa Brenskelle 4/10/2025 6:16 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 15-DAY STREAK
      Here in Texas, we have Lights Out Texas - https://houstonaudubon.org/conservation/bfc/lights-out.html

  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/09/2025 6:20 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    The one year anniversary of the solar eclipse made me reflect on the ways that we come together to celebrate our planet. The Earth is home to such strange and wonderful creatures and phenomena, so awe-inspiring that it drives us to gather and celebrate it. Seeing the massive turnout for the eclipse watch-party, more people than I had seen at any school event, made me wonder; if so many people can show up to appreciate the beauty of our world, why do they not strive to protect it? If the same amount of people who showed up to the eclipse viewing participated in clean-ups, and acted to protect our environment, we would be living in a much cleaner and healthier world. How can we make it so that people take action to protect the planet with the same enthusiasm that they have when it comes to seeing it's beauty?

    • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
      Melissa Tomecz 4/10/2025 7:21 PM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      I totally agree with you, Evelyn. Unfortunately, I know a lot of people who were doing it just for the hype or fad because it was "cool". I even heard some say, "What's the big deal?" until they were actually experiencing it---then they changed their tune. I think the answer is to actually encourage more outdoor activities or being in nature. Once you get a taste of the beauty of nature, you realize how precious it is and then you become fiercely passionate about protecting it. I personally cried when I witnessed the eclipse. It was so emotional because it was so amazing---much like when I see a whale surface (they are so beautiful and big and peaceful) and those kinds of experiences really put things in perspective. If everyone focused on saving the earth, there wouldn't be any wars.

    • Esther Szeben's avatar
      Esther Szeben 4/10/2025 9:15 AM
      • Community Builder 🤝
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      What a meaningful reflection. A friend told me we need more behavioural psychologists to drive home the message of how we can convince people to change their ways. It’s so true how we marvel at the Earth and the universe but so many do so little to nurture and protect it.

    • Shannon Coulter-Low's avatar
      Shannon Coulter-Low 4/10/2025 9:09 AM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 10-DAY STREAK
      What a great reflection, Evelyn. I hope that the eclipse inspired some folks to continuously appreciate the beauty of our world, both big and small, and to think about issues beyond the sphere of their daily world, such as climate change and global well-being.

    • Maurene O’Farrell's avatar
      Maurene O’Farrell 4/09/2025 6:27 PM
      • Adventurer 🏔
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      To respond to your question about bird-watching spots, other than areas with good amounts of trees and bird feeders, I don’t really have any particular spots- I am constantly birdwatching while walking to school, looking out my window, being driven somewhere- it’s just about consciously keeping your eyes and ears open and you will notice all kinds of birds everywhere!

  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/07/2025 5:29 AM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Happy International Beaver day! (I did not mean to upload this post 20 times, that was a technical error)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    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?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/07/2025 5:08 AM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    While I don't think I was addicted to sugar, I definitely consumed it more than necessary, and I felt like I would have to add a lot to any drink for it to actually taste sweet. Since starting the challenge, I've been experiencing this less. I've been using alternative products to sweeten my drinks and food, like maple syrup, honey, stevia, and even coconut sugar. They're healthier than white sugar, and each adds a unique taste to whatever they're being added to. The hardest part of this challenge is avoiding excess sugar in the food/drinks I buy from stores or restaurants.