Kim Smith

PCC Eco Panthers

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
807 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

water collection systems

installed
UP TO

1.0

water footprint

calculated
UP TO

324

minutes

spent learning

Kim's actions

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

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Understand My Water Footprint

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn about Native Species

The world is full of unique species that all play an important role in nature. I will spend 5 minutes learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Learn to Choose Forest-Friendly Foods

Our food choices can help protect forests and wildlife. I will spend 5 minutes learning how to choose foods that are grown in ways that protect forests, such as avoiding products linked to deforestation and seeking certified sustainable options like shade-grown coffee or palm oil-free products.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Participant Feed

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?
Kim Smith 4/20/2025 10:39 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 8-DAY STREAK
There are so many ways that we can make a difference on this project. The lovely weather inspired me to clear out a bunch of rocks and reshape our bioswale. It isn't enough, though. Without regrading the grass, we still have too much mud sitting in the center of the yard. I really want to be able to collect more water, as we enter into the drier parts of the year.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What surprised you most about your water footprint, and how did it influence your perspective on water use? What changes can you make to reduce your water consumption, and how will these impact your daily routine?
Kim Smith 4/08/2025 5:57 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 8-DAY STREAK
Wow! That was a really interesting exercise. I have done a variety of different eco-footprint calculations, but have never measure my water footprint. That is really though provoking. Here were are results;
Your water footprint:
Personal: 1,039 Gallons/Day

Household: 2,079 Gallons/Day

US Average: 1,802 Gallons/Day

The tips and lists of actions that one can take also highlight different steps that are possible to reduce our water footprint.

Read More
- Cheryl DeBow 4/08/2025 6:15 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  Community Builder 🤝
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Great job on verifying your water footprint, Kim, and for reducing your own personal water footprint below the US average. Great work!
  
  Read More
Kim Smith 4/08/2025 5:42 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 8-DAY STREAK
I love being a part of Ecochallenges every year, whether it's for Earth Month, the People's Challenges, or as an engaged activity for my classes. The structure helps me meet my goals and the ability to be part of a team motivates me to increase my collective impact. I am proud to represent Portland Community College, too! It is amazing that we can be a national and global leader in sustainability.

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- Lisa Brenskelle 4/08/2025 7:22 PM
  - TEAM CAPTAIN
  - 15-DAY STREAK
  I love them, too. I always learn something new.
  
  Read More
- Aniket Mane 4/08/2025 5:48 PM
  - Book Lover 📚
  - 17-DAY STREAK
  I agree
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What native species did you learn about in your area, and how do they contribute to your local ecosystem or community? How might your community change if these native species disappeared?
Kim Smith 4/07/2025 8:08 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 8-DAY STREAK
There is always more to learn! Our focus was on pollinators this weekend. We were SO happy to see that our Mason bees hatched on Friday. Just in time for our huckleberry and apple blossoms.

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Kim Smith 4/07/2025 8:05 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 8-DAY STREAK
The Rainforest Alliance certification resource, under the "forest-friendly foods" action, is confusing to me. How are Dole, McDonald's, and Wal-Mart included? I definitely want industries to do better, but this all smacks of some pretty serious green-washing.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What did you learn about forest-friendly foods? What sustainable food choices will you commit to making, and why are they important to you?
Kim Smith 4/03/2025 6:11 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 8-DAY STREAK
I have been aware of the negative consequences of palm oil for many years, thanks to the activism of the Girl Scouts, but just learned more with the additional links provided by the Ecochallenge's resources.

In addition, last night I saw that Winco is now offering a generic chocolate-hazelnut spread (aka Nutella). I knew that Nutella is guilty of using palm oil and have avoided it for years. I checked the Winco label - alas, it also has palm oil. So, once again, we passed it up.

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