Earth Month Ecochallenge 2026

Ecochallenge.org

April 1 - April 30, 2026

Kim's points

0 TODAY
68 THIS WEEK
486 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

ideas and resources

shared
UP TO

280

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

287

minutes

spent learning

Kim's actions

What is resilience?

Learn About Ecological Resilience

Resilience is part of how nature works. I will spend 10 minutes learning about ecological resilience—how ecosystems adapt to disturbances and renew themselves through cycles of growth and renewal.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

What is resilience?

Learn About Ordinary Magic

Resilience is an everyday magic in all of us. I will spend 10 minutes learning about resilience and psychologist Ann Masten’s concept of “ordinary magic,” which shows how people adapt and thrive through small, daily strengths.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

What is resilience?

Share a Resilience Story

Stories connect and inspire us. I will share 2 resilience stories—either from my life, my community, or from a leader or culture I admire—through conversations, social media, or the event feed to help others see resilience in action.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

What is resilience?

Explore Resilience in Nature

Resilience is all around us in the natural world. I will spend 5 minutes outdoors looking for examples of resilience—such as plants regrowing, animals adapting, or seasonal cycles—and reflect on what they teach about thriving through change.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Kim Smith 4/12/2026 4:39 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
I love participating in Ecochallenges and have done so for many years! It is great how the themes change and the different actions and resources address various issues, from personal needs to community engagement. Given the value of resilience and self-care, I am grateful for the structure of the Ecochallenge to motivate me to stay with my daily actions and take on bigger one-time challenges that I have often intended to do for a while.

It is fun being a Team Captain, too, as I get to see what all of our team members (yay, PCC Ecopanthers!) are doing and try to offer support and encouragement, when needed.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
What is resilience?

What examples of resilience did you notice outdoors? How did spending time in nature shape your understanding of resilience?
Kim Smith 4/10/2026 6:10 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
We are on a road trip to the Oregon Coast, passing clearcuts and the many signs of the flooding of the rivers over the past year. We can see small trees and bushes beginning to grow and repopulate the deforested lands. Plus, all of the logs and debris in the rivers are reshaping the flow of the water and creating new habitat for fish and other creatures.

I really love mycelia and all of the interconnecting organisms and networks that we can't see which help ecosystems communicate, heal, and provide resources to meet needs across good times and bad.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
What is resilience?

What stood out to you about the idea of “ordinary magic”? How can one use a small, everyday strength to better handle a challenge this week?
Kim Smith 4/10/2026 5:55 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
There are so many angles to this question and the skills we can use to integrate "magical" thinking into our daily lives. For example, we had a scary moment in our family last night, requiring quick thinking and action to help respond. Different people were reacting differently and I was able to breathe through the experience and show up with clarity and strength in ways that helped my step-children feel supported. I was proud of myself and grateful for the layer of trust it built to reassure them that I can be there for them. It deepened our relationship, which I find very moving.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
What is resilience?

What examples of resilience in ecosystems did you learn about? How do these cycles of renewal change the way you see nature around you?
Kim Smith 4/08/2026 6:45 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
WOW! The Biomimicry Toolbox rocks! I loved learning about the "self-healing concrete" and realizing that prairies and lodgepole pines react to different weather patterns and fires in symbiotic ways.

https://toolbox.biomimicry.org/core-concepts/natures-unifying-patterns/resilient/

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- GOVIND SAINI 4/08/2026 7:02 PM
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  This is good one
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
What is resilience?

What story did you share, and how did it feel to share it? Did telling or hearing resilience stories shift how you think about strength and adaptability?
Kim Smith 4/07/2026 12:33 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
My husband and I took part in an Alternative Spring Break, with the Friends of Pimpollo, in Oaxaca, Mexico, last month. In addition to building schools, we were able to explore the beauty, culture, and history of this incredible region.

Seeing communities grow, with additions of pre-schools and elementary schools, was an incredibly heart-warming experience. Friends of Pimpollo has built dozens of school in the Vincente Guerrero Community, surrounding a former dump, opening up countless opportunities for children and their families. Talk about resilience!

I also saw an image on one of our walks that has taught me lessons of resilience since I was a little girl. I love see strong, courageous flowers growing out of cracks in sidewalks. It is a good reminder that we can thrive - or at least survive - in tough conditions.

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