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Courtney Phillips's avatar

Courtney Phillips

SUST 113 and Friends

"My goal is to spend as much time outside as possible. Exercising with my dog, planting flowers, and having a small garden. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 35 TODAY
  • 160 THIS WEEK
  • 510 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    23
    steps taken
    to protect pollinators
  • UP TO
    117
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    405
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    510
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent learning

Courtney's actions

Wildlife

Learn to Grow Plants Your Way

Growing plants can be rewarding and can create habitats big and small for wildlife. And, we can grow things almost anywhere! I will spend 60 minutes researching options for growing plants either inside or outside.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Enjoy the Outdoors for 30 Minutes

Studies have shown that when we spend consistent time in nature, our health improves, our creativity increases, and our connection to the planet gets stronger. Each day of the Ecochallenge, I will spend 30 minutes outside, then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Declutter and Donate

Decluttering can reduce stress and benefit others. I will declutter my home and donate items I no longer need to support others in my community.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Protect Pollinators with a Plant or Mini-Habitat

Pollinators need a little help from their friends like us! I will take 2 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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 1 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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
    Health and Well-Being
    How did exercising each day impact your physical or mental well-being? What activity did you enjoy most, and why?

    Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/17/2025 9:44 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Exercising helps my mental well-being. It gives me time to get fresh air and clear my mind. Rather than thinking about everything I need to do, I relax and enjoy it. My dog has actually loved it too. We don't usually go for walks. She's seven and has always been a lazy potato, but this is also getting her going.

    • Jen Schleis's avatar
      Jen Schleis 4/17/2025 9:47 AM
      • Adventurer 🏔
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Exercising is healthy for mind, body, and soul! For us and our pets! :)

  • Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/14/2025 9:33 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Since having a family meal, we are trying to plan more! Our kids are 16, 20, and 21,, and it turned out to be a great way to get them to spend time with us and their grandparents.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    Are you a gardener or house plant lover? Why or why not? What do you need to elevate your plant care skills?

    Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/09/2025 11:25 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I enjoy both house plants... and the idea of a garden. Inside, I play with succulents. I repotted them at the end of last year, and they seem to be dying, so I would like to know why, so I can repot more successfully. I also would love to grow everything to make fresh salsa this year.

  • Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/07/2025 10:15 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    Everything I chose was meant to get me outside and enjoy nature with my dog and my family. We always talk about everything we want to do, like taking the dog for a walk, planting veggies and herbs, a headstart on yardwork, where I have been building a giant leaf pile for the pollinators, and cooking out. This Ecochallange has pushed me to do more, which I love. The best part is that I FEEL better when I do these things. The sunshine energizes me and makes my body and mind feel better.
  • 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?

    Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/07/2025 10:09 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    My boyfriend and I have one minor child and two adult children, ages 16, 20, and 12. This weekend, we smoked carnitas, made beans and potato salad, and made a cake. They came over, brought a couple of other friends, and enjoyed dinner with us. It wasn't a long dinner because they had their own things they wanted to do, but it was nice. We will do it more this summer and invite our parents, and maybe other friends or family as well.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you observe or experience while spending time outside, and how did it affect you? How does connecting with nature enhance your physical and mental well-being?

    Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/05/2025 1:14 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I sat outside, and just sat. It was wonderful. The chilly weather refreshing and with nature being the only noise, it was very peaceful.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    How did decluttering and donating items make you feel, both emotionally and physically?

    Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/05/2025 1:12 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I have a ton of old clothes in size small that I no longer wear. It has been driving me crazy, and just looking at it is overwhelming. I plan on getting rid of five or more items every day. The first day, I did 12, and it felt great.

    • Courtney Phillips's avatar
      Courtney Phillips 4/07/2025 10:18 AM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      There is a program in town that supplies people with everything they need to live on their own after going through a drug treatment program. I am setting everything aside to give to them.

    • Lisa Brenskelle's avatar
      Lisa Brenskelle 4/05/2025 5:21 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 15-DAY STREAK
      The charity re-sale shops will love you!
  • 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!

    Courtney Phillips's avatar
    Courtney Phillips 4/05/2025 1:09 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I put out a hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water I made at home from an online recipe... even though I haven't seen any yet.

    • Lisa Brenskelle's avatar
      Lisa Brenskelle 4/05/2025 5:21 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 15-DAY STREAK
      I have Turk's cap in my yard (a native plant where I live) and the hummingbirds just love it.