

Kim-Marie Schulze
"My goal is to further advance my environmental curiosity, activism and respect; to enhance my environment through efforts to reduce harmful impacts and promote sustainable practices; and to increase mindfulness and harmony in my daily life. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,479 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
-
UP TO2.0conversationswith people
-
UP TO10documentarieswatched
-
UP TO1.0donationmade
-
UP TO276gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO3.0itemsrepaired
-
UP TO2.0meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
-
UP TO1,005minutesspent learning
-
UP TO1,175minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO1,000minutesbeing mindful
-
UP TO1,175minutesnot spent in front of a screen
-
UP TO75pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO2.7poundsfood waste prevented
-
UP TO442pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO168square feetcommunity beautification
-
UP TO2.0treesplanted
-
UP TO16zero-waste mealsconsumed
Kim-Marie's actions
Education & Livelihood
Stay on the Ground
SDG 11
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally). As an example, a plane from New York to Los Angeles (~2,450 miles) generates about 65 tons of carbon dioxide.
Health & Equity
Support Indigenous & First Nations Communities
SDG 10
I will spend 30 learning about the past and present indigenous communities in my regions and what I can do to be supportive.
Basic Needs & Security
Make Zero-Waste Meals
SDG 2
I will cook 2 meals with zero waste each day.
Basic Needs & Security
Take 5-Minute Or Less Showers
SDG 6
I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers. Tip: Use a timer to practice or count to 60 a few times.
Basic Needs & Security
Know Your Produce
SDG 2
I will become a savvy produce shopper when buying organic and non-organic items.
Education & Livelihood
Plan A Staycation in Your Community
SDG 11
For an upcoming vacation, I will spend 15 minutes planning out a staycation in my region. For reference, one several hour flight releases the equivalent of nearly 14% of the annual emissions from a car.
Education & Livelihood
Work-Life Balance
SDG 8
During the workday, I will schedule time for daily breaks during work days to practice work-life balance.
Health & Equity
Practice Mindfulness
SDG 3
I will spend 15 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.
Health & Equity
Spend Time Outside
SDG 3
I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, or practicing gratitude for nature.
Economy & Communities
Chat With A Nonprofit
SDG 12
I will have a conversation with one or more nonprofit organizations I want to be involved with.
Climate & Ecosystems
Ecological & Xeriscape Gardening
SDG 14, 15
Studies show a grass lawn is water intensive and on average it require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. I will do one or more of the following actions in my yard or community to conserve water and improve habitat: plant indigenous plants, landscape with water-efficient plants, add mulching, replace a lawn, and/or use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Climate & Ecosystems
Support Local Pollinators
SDG 15
At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will plant pollinator-friendly plants in my area to support local pollinators.
Climate & Ecosystems
Watch a Documentary About Climate Change or Nature
SDG 13, 14, 15
I will watch 2 documentaries about climate change.
Climate & Ecosystems
Plant a Tree
SDG 15
On average, a tree absorbs 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of carbon dioxide yearly during the first 20 years. To do my part, I will plant 2 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.
Education & Livelihood
Host or Join a Cleanup Event
SDG 11, 17
Within my community at home or work, I will organize or attend a local cleanup event.
Economy & Communities
Mend Clothing
SDG 9
I will mend clothing for myself, family or friends.
Economy & Communities
Analyze Your Utility Bills
SDG 7
I spend 15 minutes analyzing my recent utility bills, which might include electricity, gas, or water to see what my current usage is and determine if I can reduce my energy and water use.
Basic Needs & Security
Watch a Documentary About Food, Water, or Basic Needs
SDG 6
I will watch 2 documentaries about food, water, or basic needs.
Basic Needs & Security
Try a New Vegan or Vegetarian Recipe
I will try a new vegan or vegetarian recipe and share how it turns out on the Ecochallenge feed, or with family and friends.
Health & Equity
Make Cleaning Products
SDG 3
I will make a few homemade cleaning products.
Health & Equity
Watch a Documentary About Equity, Gender, Health, or Peace
SDG 3, 5, 10, 16
I will watch 3 documentaries about equity, gender, health, or peace.
Health & Equity
Donate Food
SDG 3, 10
I will find out what food programs are in my area and donate food and/or other items that they request.
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?
-
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/30/2023 12:54 PMThis was another great year for the event - it is a welcome refresher to kickstart new goals and learn more of what we can do in our communities and as individuals to impact our world positively! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth & Equity Support Indigenous & First Nations CommunitiesWhy is it important to honor native and indigenous peoples and cultures? What have you learned that is important to you? If you identify with or are a member of an indigenous group, how does your community practice sustainability?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/30/2023 12:52 PMI grew up in a community that included a significant number of native people. Today I learned about hour native chefs are keeping traditional food culture alive and educating others on the cuisine which is often more gentle on the environment. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBasic Needs & Security Know Your ProduceWhat surprised you about the two produce lists? How will you use these lists for your grocery shopping? Have you used these lists before?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/29/2023 3:03 PMThis expanded my knowledge and I am incorporating more "clean" foods into our regular meal planning. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth & Equity Watch a Documentary About Equity, Gender, Health, or PeaceWhat did you watch, and what was the most important thing you learned in the documentaries you watched? How does what you learned connect to your understanding of climate change and Earth Month?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/29/2023 2:52 PMseveral documentaries on climate change, food deserts and the importance of balance. I learned a lot about micro stressors and how important it is to "schedule" time for releasing the pressure, staying in touch with our environment and supporting communities that still experience hunger or malnutrition -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEducation & Livelihood Work-Life BalanceHow does practicing a work-life balance create a more sustainable life for you? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/28/2023 7:03 AMIts easy to let the stress build up over a day or week and not realize the impact it has on your decisions - about meal choices and shortcuts with household work. I think incorporating more balance - small moments of reflection or short walks outside alleviate that build up of stress and give you more ability to make smart choices that align with who you want to be and how you want to live. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBasic Needs & Security Make Zero-Waste MealsHow did you incorporate using an entire vegetable (skins, peels, tops, and stalks) during one of your meal preps? What's something new you're going to try that is a zero-waste meal practice?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/28/2023 6:59 AMWe utilized broccoli that had some stalk and put the stalks and leaves into our vegetable broth and ate the broccoli steamed. A new practice we are going to try is slicing our sweet potatoes with the skins on rather than roasting whole and discarding the skins sometimes. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate & Ecosystems Support Local PollinatorsWhy is it important to take care of pollinators? Do you have a favorite pollinator?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/28/2023 6:54 AMWe always have milkweed in our garden for the monarchs and lots of herbs like oregano for difference bee types - this year we expanded our raspberries and planted additional perennials to support honey bees as they are critical to our local orchards. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBasic Needs & Security Take 5-Minute Or Less ShowersWith 5-minute or less showers reducing your water footprint, what do you plan to add next to your water conservation habits?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/26/2023 7:29 AMHave recently added another rain barrel to use for irrigation with shrubs. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEducation & Livelihood Plan A Staycation in Your CommunityWhat place in your region are you most excited to visit during your staycation?
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/25/2023 10:27 AMI am excited to take my granddaughter to South Dakota to visit my parents and siblings - to show her all the fun things I grew up with in the neighborhood including the Sioux Falls for which my hometown was named for! -
Kim-Marie Schulze 4/24/2023 2:25 PMI watched a great TED talk last week while travelling and renewed by commitment to wake each day with intention to improve my health, human dignity and wild beauty.