Ecochallenge.org

Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation

April 1 - April 30, 2025

Vanessa Sanchez

MBHS APES 24 - 25

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
191 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

single-use bags

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

2.0

water collection systems

installed
UP TO

4.0

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

2.0

products

replaced with sustainable alternatives
UP TO

80

minutes

spent learning

Vanessa's actions

Land, Water, and Air

Learn About Water Justice

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 20 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

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 2
DAILY 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 2
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

Land, Water, and Air

Save Water When Washing Dishes

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 2 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn How to Save the Bees

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 20 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Learn about Sustainable Innovation

Innovation can create a more sustainable world. I will spend 20 minutes learning about new materials, technologies, ideas, or practices that help solve environmental challenges and improve our planet's future.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 2 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

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 3 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Sustainable Innovation

What sustainability initiative did you invest in, and what inspired your choice? How do you feel about your role in shaping a greener future through your investment?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 6:42 PM
I invested in terracycle by conducting research about the company through Earthhero and the other companies aligining to it's green values and created an instagram post for social media to spread the buinsess.

Read More
- Ella Arce 4/28/2025 7:40 PM
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  
  16-DAY STREAK
  I love Earthhero! Thanks for spreading the word!
  
  Read More
- Patricia Clarke 4/28/2025 7:01 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  That is great!
  
  Read More
- Jason Gan 4/28/2025 6:43 PM
  
  Exercise Lover 🤸
  
  18-DAY STREAK
  awesome!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Sustainable Innovation

What sustainable product did you purchase, and how does it align with your values?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 6:39 PM
I chose a stainless steel lunchbox as my sustainable product because I regularly take or eat lunch at school. No I can take snacks and food to eat in a sustainably positive product daily and reuse it for my day to day needs. It aligns to my values because it serves me while serving the planet moving towards a greener planet in our future.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Sustainable Innovation

What industries or sectors do you believe have the greatest potential to benefit from sustainable innovation, and how could they drive meaningful change? How do you think sustainable innovation will influence our future?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 6:36 PM
The development and adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Advances in engine technology and aerodynamics have improved the fuel efficiency of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Companies like Apple and Dell have implemented robust take-back and recycling programs to manage electronic waste responsibly. Products designed for easy disassembly and repair reduce electronic waste and extend the life of devices. Tech companies are using recycled materials in their products, such as plastics from old electronics, reducing the demand for virgin resources. Sustainable innovation will positively influence our future generations as their eager for a sustainable green economy in our future.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

How do pollinators impact your daily life, and what changes can you make to ensure they continue to thrive?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 6:13 PM
The most efficient pollinators are bees and bumblbees. San Diego is the most biologically filled county in the United States. Pollinating insects and animals help plants reproduce by sharing genetic material between flowers—often over large distances. Pollinators move genetic information in the form of pollen from the male anther to the female stigma, which fertilizes the flower’s ovules. The pollinators mutually benefit from this process by enjoying nectar and pollen as a source of nutrition. Changes our communicty can make to ensure they thrive is planting our own pollinator garden or buy produce and products grown withut the use of pesticides.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What did you learn about how tourism impacts wildlife, and how can you make more conscious choices when planning a trip? How do you think your travel decisions can contribute to wildlife conservation and respectful interactions with nature?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 6:10 PM
Tourism can really negatively impact wildlife if their unaware of the danger they are. To get around I reccomend the public transportation system like buses which are easy to navigate after the first few times. Be aware of fishing regulations as their is multiple docks & areas to fish from the vast amount of water nearby. It's important to throw away recyclables & trash to the corresponding bins to prevent runoff ending in sea lion habitats or seal habitats.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 6:05 PM
Not difficult at all. I love using my trader joes bag or another tj max bag to go shopping. I love caring them around because 1 their very sustainable and useful & there cute accessories to carry my groceries in. What made it difficult someties was remembering to bring the bags but I leave them in the car. What made it easy was they were easily foldable and fit in my purse so I can take them out when shopping or putting groceries in them when I check out.

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- Jonathan Anand 4/28/2025 6:06 PM
  Thats good
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

How did collecting rainwater influence your understanding of sustainable water use? What tasks or activities could benefit most from rainwater collection in your household?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 5:55 PM
Helped my understanding of sustainable water use by minimizing excess water by using rain water caught in containers or jars to water plants or wash my dogs feet after a day in the mud/park. There's many uses of the rainwater to benefit from collecting it like washing clothes, using the water to mop the floors, clean my dog, etc.

Read More
- Lisa Brenskelle 4/28/2025 6:12 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  15-DAY STREAK
  also washing the car...
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

How did changing your dishwashing habits make you more mindful of water use? What other small changes can you make to conserve water in your household?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 5:52 PM
I became more mindful of the water used to wash a load of dishes since our household doesn't have a dishwasher & prevented excess water from pouring. I can reduce my showers to eight-ten minutes, become more mindeful when washing dishes & brushing teeth.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What water justice issues did you learn about, and who is most affected in your community? How can you contribute to creating equitable access to clean water in your area?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 5:47 PM
Vulnerable communities, including low-income communities, Indigenous people, people of color, are most affected by water scarcity & climate challenges. Safe and affordable drinking water is a fundamental human right. Sustainable and water management is important for both present and future generations. Me and my community should have a say in how our water is managed and distributed.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Well-Being

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet? What fruits or vegetables did you try this week, and which was your favorite?
Vanessa Sanchez 4/28/2025 5:31 PM
Definitely helped better my indigestion intake of meats & sugar by eating more servings of fruits & veggies. I tried blueberries and pineapple as a snack. I cut out sweet treats for this better alternative. My favorite was the pineapple. Helped the planet by reducing less greenhouse gas from livestock farming.

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