Lisa Shankle

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 (in a large or small patch of nature), then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.

Food in the landfill is one of the main sources of greenhouse gasses. I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day by composting my food.

The goal of creating fertilizer for tomato plants from crushed eggshells is to develop a sustainable and organic fertilizer solution that utilizes the nutrients found in eggshells to promote healthy growth and productivity in tomato plants. This challenge aims to reduce waste by repurposing eggshells and providing an alternative to chemical-based fertilizers.

To establish a Bee Watering Station in my garden, providing bees with a reliable water source for hydration and promoting their well-being. By creating a Bee Watering Station, I will play a vital role in supporting the well-being of bees and promoting a thriving pollinator population in my garden.

To achieve this goal here is what I will do: 📍 Research and create a list of lesser-known local attractions, parks, or trails in your area. 🗺️ Plan a day of exploration to visit these hidden gems, focusing on locations that are easily accessible on foot or by biking/public transportation. 🌳 Take the time to learn about the history, ecology, or unique features of each place you visit. 🍽️ Support local businesses by having a meal at a locally-owned restaurant or purchasing goods from nearby shops. 📸 Document your adventure through photos or a journal to remember and share your experience with others. 📣 Share your discoveries and recommendations with friends, family, or online communities to inspire others to explore their own local areas. By achieving this goal, I will not only get to enjoy a day of local adventure but also reduce my carbon footprint by avoiding long-distance travel and support local businesses by patronizing them.

My goal is to create a zero-waste kit that I can use when running errands or going out, enabling me to reduce my reliance on disposable items and minimize waste. By having these essential reusable items on hand, I will strive to lead a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. To achieve this goal, here's what I can do: 1️⃣ Reusable Water Bottle: Invest in a high-quality reusable water bottle made of stainless steel, glass, or BPA-free plastic. This will allow me to stay hydrated on the go without resorting to single-use plastic bottles. 2️⃣ Coffee Cup: Get a portable and insulated coffee cup for enjoying hot beverages without generating waste from disposable cups. Opt for a cup that is lightweight, leak-proof, and fits most coffee shop sizes. 3️⃣ Utensils: Pack a set of reusable utensils, including a fork, knife, and spoon, in a small fabric pouch. This way, I can avoid using plastic cutlery when grabbing a meal on the go or during takeout. 4️⃣ Cloth Shopping Bags: Carry a foldable and lightweight cloth shopping bag that can be easily stashed in my purse or pocket. These reusable bags are perfect for grocery shopping, running errands, or any other situation requiring a bag. 5️⃣ Containers for Leftovers: Include a small container or two in my zero-waste kit to store leftovers from meals. This way, I can avoid using disposable takeout containers and reduce food waste. By incorporating these items into my daily routine, I will contribute to reducing single-use waste and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. Let's strive for a zero-waste future and inspire others to do the same! 🌱♻

As a conscious eater, my goal is to commit to having at least one meat-free day per week, specifically on Mondays. I will explore and experiment with delicious plant-based meals to not only reduce my carbon footprint but also promote sustainable agriculture and a healthier lifestyle. To achieve this goal, I have outlined the following plan: 1️⃣ Research and Discover: I will dedicate time to research and discover a variety of plant-based recipes, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Exploring various cuisines and flavors, such as Mediterranean, Asian, or Mexican, will help me widen my culinary horizons and make meatless meals more exciting. 2️⃣ Meal Planning: I will incorporate Meatless Mondays into my weekly meal planning. This includes selecting a range of nutrient-rich plant-based proteins like legumes, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, and incorporating a vibrant array of vegetables and whole grains into my meals. 3️⃣ Creative Cooking: I will embrace creativity in the kitchen by experimenting with new recipes and adapting familiar dishes into meatless versions. I will aim to incorporate different cooking methods such as grilling, roasting, stir-frying, and baking to add diversity to my meat-free meals. 4️⃣ Local and Seasonal: I will prioritize sourcing local and seasonal produce for my meals. By supporting local farmers and choosing ingredients that are in season, I can reduce food miles and ensure the freshest and most sustainable ingredients in my meatless dishes. 5️⃣ Share and Inspire: I will share my Meatless Monday journey with friends, family, and colleagues, inspiring them to join in the movement. I will encourage conversations about sustainable eating, introducing others to the benefits of reducing meat consumption for the environment and personal health. By embracing Meatless Mondays and exploring the world of plant-based cuisine, I will contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water resources, and support animal welfare. Together, let's make every Meatless Monday a celebration of delicious and eco-friendly meals!

As an enthusiastic gardener, I am excited to embark on the journey of starting vegetable plants from seed. My goal is to establish a thriving vegetable garden, nurturing plants right from their very beginnings, allowing me to enjoy the satisfaction of growing my own food and promoting sustainable practices.

I will volunteer 1 hours in my community.

Synthetic clothing can contain plastic and shed harmful microplastics into our water. I will use a microplastics catcher in my laundry, or install a microplastics filter for my washing machine.

Energy use and waste is often invisible. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 30 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 20 minutes learning about sustainable seafood choices, commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean, and share what I learned on the feed.

I will spend 20 minutes learning more about the importance of freshwater + ocean conservation, and how I can reduce my water use. I will share what I learn with people in person, on social media, and on the feed.

Why buy something I will only use once or a few times if someone nearby has it for me to borrow, and why not share something I have that someone may only need a few times a year? To reduce my consumption and waste, I will create or support the sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.

As a passionate beekeeper, I recognize the importance of nurturing and growing my apiary to support bee conservation efforts. With this in mind, my goal is to add a new hive to my existing apiary. By increasing the number of hives, I can help create a thriving environment for bees and contribute to the overall health of our local ecosystem.

Carbon emissions can show up in many surprising ways in our life. I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend 30 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.

The impacts of our waste are far reaching. I will create zero waste for an entire day and share my reflections and learnings on the feed.

Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 15 minutes learning about the beauty and body products I use to see if they are refillable or recyclable. If not, I will reach out to the manufacturer to advocate for those options.

One third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, and so is the energy it takes to produce and transport that food. I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need and eating what I planned each day.

Each day, I will learn about responsible ways to dispose of items and de-clutter, clean, donate, repurpose or recycle unneeded items in my home to make sure that what I get rid of doesn't go into the landfill.

Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.

At times it may not feel like it's up to us to keep our community clean and healthy, but we all have a role to play. Each day I am outside, I will pick up any litter I see.

Trees capture carbon and produce oxygen that is essential to life on earth. I will support this important piece of nature by organizing or joining a community group to plant 2 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.