Ecochallenge.org

Earth Month Ecochallenge 2024: Conservation

April 1 - April 30, 2024

Melissa Tomecz

JAC Sustainability

"Going to improve the earth with my actions once again---for the 5th time in a row!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,428 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

450

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

160

minutes

spent learning

Melissa's actions

Action Track: Community

Share My "Why"

I will record a video to share why I am taking action this Earth Month, a sustainable swap I've made, and/or a local conservation effort in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land + Forests

Zero Waste Day

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Beyond the Babbling Book Club

Hosting this event at college on April 17th between 1:30-3:00pm. The group will discuss things people are reading, watching and listening to on the topic of Animals.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Invest in Nature

A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 30 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land + Forests

30 for 30 in Nature

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.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Freshwater + Oceans

Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans

I will spend 30 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate + Air

Consume only Needs vs Wants

The more stuff we consume, the more greenhouse gasses we put into the atmosphere. I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach this month and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Land + Forests

Regenerative Agriculture and Me

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Community

Visit the Earth Day Celebration in the Agora

On Monday April 22 from 10:30-2:00pm, the Sustainability Office is hosting an Earth Day celebration! Come and learn about sustainability and climate action initiatives taking place at JAC and in the wider community. Take part in a workshop and pick up some seedlings or house plants!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Land + Forests Regenerative Agriculture and Me

What did you learn about the practice and benefits of regenerative agriculture? How can you support healthy farming practices for people and the planet?

Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2024 5:25 PM

I learned that this is the way that farming should be done. Can you imagine if everyone farmed this way? How much healthier and resistant we'd be to the effects of climate change? I also learned that there are farms and communities surrounding Montreal that are doing these practices through ALUS! It makes me so hopeful :) Here is a recent wonderful article that highlights what it is doing for species at risk in Quebec: Promoting Species at Risk in Agriculture.

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- Devi Venkatasubramanian 4/30/2024 5:50 PM
  
  informative
  
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- Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2024 5:27 PM
  
  Forgot to answer the other part of the question. Support by buying from farms that practice with ALUS and compost your food waste! We've been composting for years now.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land + Forests 30 for 30 in Nature

What have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?

Melissa Tomecz 4/29/2024 6:55 PM

It is definitely therapy, as it brings on a calming effect. Especially when the sun is shining and you are surrounded by trees, water, or singing birds. Just noting all the sights, sounds and smells takes you away---akin to reading a book, where you escape into another world. The feeling grounds you and makes you appreciate life.

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- Ivana Tough 4/30/2024 1:43 PM
  
  I must say it was much more pleasant outside yesterday - we spent all afternoon hauling preparatory items for Awards Night in the rain! I'm chilled to the bone! Puddles everywhere lol!
  
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- Gina Ni 4/29/2024 7:07 PM
  
  It’s like a a burst of rejuvenating energy
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate + Air Consume only Needs vs Wants

Consuming only what we need vs. what we want can be really hard to do. What has been challenging about committing to this action for a month? What have you learned about yourself? Will you change any habits going forward?

Melissa Tomecz 4/29/2024 6:51 PM

Surprisingly, this action was easier to do than spending 30 minutes outside in nature! I was able to hold back purchases if I felt it wasn't needed. The biggest purchases I did want to do but held out for this month was actually stocking up on my sustainable products (such as my bamboo toothbrush heads, organic/biodegradable gum, and new Beeswax wraps). I don't usually spend on things that I want unless it really gives me that "spark joy" that is mentioned in one of the articles for this action. Most of my spending happens with food or treats that I may impulse buy. But maybe I can learn to curb those temptations for the sake of the planet!

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Melissa Tomecz 4/28/2024 6:15 PM

The progress of my tulips! The pink ones have three blooming this year. Last year, it was only one. My purple and yellow tulips are almost ready too! Another week or so and they'll be popping :)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Freshwater + Oceans Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans

What did you learn about freshwater and oceans you did not already know? In sharing this information with people in your life, which conversation was impactful to you?

Melissa Tomecz 4/27/2024 5:45 PM

I already know everything about what oceans do for us. I learned it through other eco challenges. I did learn about new species, however. Really fascinating creatures of the sea that are quite remarkable. The conversation that is most impactful for me is the fact that marshlands and swamps are extremely important to solving carbon capture. We need more areas like this. It should be fairly simple to do, yet people only care about destroying these habitats to develop more homes. We need to have a balance. What I learned a few months ago about how beavers can help with forest fires just blew my mind and is something the West and communities experiencing fires should seriously look into as a solution. Cleaning up shorelines would help oceans too.

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- Jenna Cassidy 4/27/2024 6:22 PM
  
  Such an interesting article! Thanks for sharing!
  
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Melissa Tomecz 4/27/2024 2:32 PM

I did my 30 minutes in nature at my favourite place today: Pointe-Claire Village. I call it my "Happy Place". Today, it was a bit chilly because of the wind coming off the water, but it was so lovely staring out at the water and looking at the trees in the park. Many people were sailing on the water too! I'm glad the sun was out to warm me a bit while I sat back and ate ice-cream :)

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Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2024 3:30 PM

I spent my 30 minutes in nature on Ile-Bizard, just near the bike trail. They are trying to make it green by planting many trees. One tree was a Rose Neige and another was a Blue Beech. I observed a bluejay for ten minutes and tried to relax, while sitting on the new park benches. It is difficult to get into the zone when you are hearing traffic behind you, but looking at the nature still brought some sense of peace. Plus, the sun was shining and gave warmth!

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- Jenna Cassidy 4/26/2024 4:06 PM
  
  I agree, it's so hard to relax and enjoy nature when we hear traffic. My street doesn't have many homes on it but so many cars pass by and I find it so difficult to enjoy my daily walks when the sounds of the birds are always disrupted by loud cars. Many of my neighbours use their cars just to get to their mailbox!! I wish that more people would realize how much better walking is to reduce air and noise pollution!
  
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Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2024 3:24 PM

Watched the documentary "Montréal Sauvage" by William Kraushaar today. The school was invited to view it before it is shown through Radio Canada. The footage was so sharp and beautiful. The animals covered were a snapshot of what species can be found on the island of Montreal. The city is a gem for all the biodiversity it holds, but it is taken for granted---with some species even at risk. I shed a few tears when it states at the end of the movie how little by little nature patches are becoming smaller and smaller because of urbanization. We need to keep what green spaces we have left if we want a thriving ecosystem.

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Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2024 3:15 PM

Happy Arbour Day! Here is a photo of my favourite tree, right on our campus: the weeping willow.

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- Therese Herzog 4/26/2024 3:21 PM
  
  Love a good weeping willow, thank you for posting and Happy Arbor Day!
  
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Melissa Tomecz 4/25/2024 5:37 PM

I forgot to mention that yesterday, I painted a clay pot and put some corn poppy seeds in it. I hope that the seeds will germinate and we get poppies in our yard. They are supposed to be red and pink! Here is the poppy pot next to one of the tomato seedlings.

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- Qiang Zhang 4/25/2024 5:55 PM
  
  Nice
  
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- Aizat Amir 4/25/2024 5:39 PM
  
  Nice
  
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