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"Live lightly, stay curious, and make a positive impact every day."

Jen's points

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,788 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    37
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    2.0
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water collection system
    installed
  • UP TO
    600
    gallons of water
    saved
  • UP TO
    518
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    hour
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    1.0
    idea or resource
    shared
  • UP TO
    3.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    20
    minutes
    spent learning

Jen's actions

What is resilience?

Notice Resilience Around Me

Resilience shows up in many places. I will look for one example of resilience in my surroundings—whether in my community, work, or daily life—and reflect on what it teaches me about adapting to change.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

What is resilience?

Share a Definition of Resilience

Sharing builds common understanding. I will share 1 definitions of resilience that resonate with me—through conversations, social media, or the event feed—to help others explore what resilience means.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 30 minutes of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal

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

Water

Take Shorter Showers

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Take the Pre-Survey

Take the Pre-Event Survey

I’ll take a short pre-survey to share what motivated me to join — and earn 15 points! (If I already took the survey by email, I’ll just mark this action complete to get my points.)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track

Host a Cleanup Event with Colleagues

Shared projects at work strengthen teams and build organizational resilience. I will host or join 1 cleanup events with colleagues, classmates, or group members to improve our environment and strengthen collaboration.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track

Take Part in a Community Beautification Project

Working together builds resilience and pride in the places we care about. I will participate in 1 community projects such as a cleanup or local beautification project that strengthens connections and shared purpose.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Soil and Food

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 meals each day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Work and Organizations

Map Local Risks and Resources

Preparedness is part of resilience. I will spend 5 minutes with colleagues identifying potential risks (such as weather, supply chain, or staffing issues) and the resources or strategies available to address them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Choose Native Plants

Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife and help ecosystems adapt to change. I will choose native plants for my yard, balcony, or community space instead of non-native or ornamental species to support biodiversity resilience.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Leave the Leaves

Fallen leaves, logs, and brush provide shelter and food for wildlife. I will leave natural features in my yard or community space to help strengthen biodiversity and soil resilience.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Soil and Food

Grow Something to Eat

Growing food builds resilience by connecting us to the soil and reducing reliance on long supply chains. I will grow edible plants—such as herbs, vegetables, or grains—in my home, balcony, or community space, strengthening both my food security and local biodiversity.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Soil and Food

Learn How to Save Pollinators

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spend 5 minutes learning how to support local pollinators and take at least one action—such as planting native flowers or avoiding pesticides—to help sustain resilient ecosystems and harvests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Collect Rain Water

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports local needs. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Share My Why

Take the Earth Month Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

I will take a short survey about my experience to help the Ecochallenge team improve future events, earn a chance to win a prize, and earn 15 points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Share My Why

Share My Why

I will share my Ecochallenge story and why I'm taking action for the planet — and earn 15 points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Create My Own Water Action

Everyone’s water needs and use are different. I will create an action that works for my life and supports water resilience—and make my commitment public by sharing it in the feed to inspire others.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Join a Group

Belonging to a group can help build friendships and a sense of purpose. I will explore online or in-person groups or clubs that share my interests or goals and join a group to connect with others.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Offer a Skill or Service

Sharing our talents can benefit those around us. I will offer my skills or services that contribute to local self-sufficiency, such as teaching a repair skill or helping with a neighbor's garden.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Mulching helps soil hold water and reduces runoff. I will mulch the base of trees or other plants at home, school, or in my community to improve water retention and soil health.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

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


  • Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/30/2026 7:30 AM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    "The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it.” — Barry Commoner

    As a closing thought for EcoChallenge 2026, this feels like a quiet reset for both work and life. It’s not about pushing harder, extracting more, or optimizing everything to the edge - it’s about working with systems, not against them.

  • Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/29/2026 7:32 AM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    "Nature is painting for us, day after day.” — John Ruskin
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    What skill or service did you offer, and how did it impact someone in your community? How did sharing your expertise or time help you feel more connected to others?

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 2:51 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    I helped my neighbor lift and load large items into their truck for a dump run. It was a small effort, but it helped them out and made me feel more connected through lending a hand.

    • Katie Shonk's avatar
      Katie Shonk 4/29/2026 7:12 AM
      Love that! A couple years ago, I was dismantling an old grill with a screwdriver. I had 2 different neighbors pop by and offer their services. Granted, I think they were thrilled to have the opportunity to step in with power tools, but I gladly accepted the help.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How did joining a group make you feel more connected or supported?Why do you think belonging to a group helps people face challenges more effectively?

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 2:50 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    Joining a rock-climbing group helped me feel more connected because I shared interests and experiences with others right away. Belonging to a group makes challenges easier to face because you don’t feel alone and can learn, adapt, and stay motivated together.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    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?

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 2:49 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    The most rewarding part was seeing people relax, connect, and enjoy being together. The main challenge was coordinating schedules, which I overcame by keeping it casual and flexible so everyone could drop in easily.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water
    What did you notice about how mulching helps the soil and plants? How does this small action connect to bigger ideas of water resilience?

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 1:22 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    After mulching, the soil stays cooler and moist longer, and the plants looks less stressed during warmer days. The mulch reduces runoff and helps the soil absorb water more evenly instead of drying out quickly.

    If more people did this, it could reduce overall water demand and help landscapes better withstand drought and extreme weather.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water
    What personal action did you create, and why does it matter to you?

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 1:20 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    I spoke to my kids to be more mindful about how we use water every day—turning off the tap while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, and paying attention to when water is being wasted. This matters to me because it builds awareness early and helps them understand that water is a shared, finite resource. Small habits at home can add up and support long‑term water resilience.

  • Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 1:08 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” — Vincent van Gogh
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Soil and Food
    What did you learn about the role of pollinators in food systems? Did you take any action to support pollinators? If so, share a picture in the feed!

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 1:06 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    I learned that pollinators play a critical role in food systems—many of the foods we rely on depend on them, yet their populations are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and climate stress. To support pollinators, I’ve been caring for mason bees and being more mindful about providing flowering plants.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Soil and Food
    What did you decide to grow, and how did it feel to start (or care for) your plants? What connections did it give you to soil or food resilience?

    Jen Schleis's avatar
    Jen Schleis 4/28/2026 1:03 PM
    • Adventurer 🏔
    I decided to grow herbs at home. Caring for them has felt grounding and rewarding. It’s a small step, but it reminds me how much effort and care go into what we eat. Growing herbs helps me feel more connected to the soil and more aware of how local, small‑scale food practices can build resilience and reduce reliance on long supply chains.