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Laura Packosky's avatar

Laura Packosky

Allegheny County

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 80 THIS WEEK
  • 296 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    9.0
    plastics audits
    conducted
  • UP TO
    1.0
    step taken
    to protect pollinators
  • UP TO
    11
    single-use bags
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent learning

Laura's actions

Sustainable Innovation

Conduct a Plastics Audit

Reducing plastic use starts with awareness, and there are amazing innovations in materials to replace plastic! I will conduct an audit of the plastic products I use daily and identify items I can replace with sustainable alternatives.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Sustainable Innovation

Choose a Product Made with Sustainable Materials

Every choice matters. I will purchase or switch to products made from sustainable or recycled materials to support innovation and reduce environmental impact.

COMPLETED
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

Learn about Native Species

The world is full of unique species that all play an important role in nature. I will spend 5 minutes learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Protect Pollinators with a Plant or Mini-Habitat

Pollinators need a little help from their friends like us! I will take 3 steps to protect pollinators, such as planting a pollinator-friendly plant, installing a pollinator hotel, or by leaving leaf litter for pollinators to call home.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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 15 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags do not always end up in landfills and if they aren't properly disposed of. In nature, they can be mistaken for food by many wild animals and harm wildlife. When I go shopping, I will be sure to bring my own bags to reduce waste and the chance that plastic bags could find their way into wildlife habitats.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Attend Recycling & Waste Reduction Lunch & Learn

April 25

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
    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?

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/14/2025 8:35 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    I think I respect the Leave No Trace principles anytime I hike or camp, even if I didn't previously know them by heart. I would like to be more mindful vegetation or soil in the future.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What native species did you learn about in your area, and how do they contribute to your local ecosystem or community? How might your community change if these native species disappeared?

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/14/2025 8:32 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    I researched native ground covers to plant in an area of the yard that used to be a flower bed. I want to plant a native ground cover instead of grass to eliminate the need to mow in this area. I've decided to go to a plant nursery and ask for a recommendation for a native species to plant.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What’s one thing you can do in your yard, community, or daily routine to create a safer environment for pollinators? Be sure to share any photos of your actions to protect pollinators in the feed!

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/09/2025 7:31 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    I purchased seeds to plant pollinators, including zinnias and salvia plants. I will be planting these in my yard near my vegetable garden.

    • Tabitha Holter's avatar
      Tabitha Holter 4/09/2025 7:38 AM
      • Earth Advocate 📣
      • 6-DAY STREAK
      Zinnia's have always been a family favorite for us; my great grandmother and grandmother always had them in their gardens and I swear their plants always had the juciest cherry tomatoes because all the bees brought by the pretty flowers. I hope your garden is as bountiful as my Gram's! :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Sustainable Innovation
    What sustainable product did you purchase, and how does it align with your values?

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/03/2025 5:24 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    I switched to dog waste bags made of 65% recycled plastic. This definitely aligns with my views to reduce my plastic waste, but I want to do more as I have two big dogs and we use a lot of dog waste bags.
  • 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?

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/03/2025 5:23 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    I attended a therapy appointment for this day, and I think it's beneficial for myself and my partner.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/03/2025 5:22 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    The only thing that makes it difficult is remembering to grab the reusable bags before I go to the store. Sometimes I accidentally leave them at home or in my car when I go in.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Sustainable Innovation
    What surprised you most about the amount or types of plastic you use daily? What sustainable alternatives are you excited to try, and how do you think they’ll reduce your plastic waste?

    Laura Packosky's avatar
    Laura Packosky 4/03/2025 5:20 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 14-DAY STREAK
    I started using dog waste bags that are made from 65% recycled material. I had looked into composting the waste but not sure that I'm ready to go that route yet.