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Melissa Tomecz's avatar

Melissa Tomecz

JAC Sustainability

"Now more than ever, we need to stand up for Mother Earth!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 40 TODAY
  • 215 THIS WEEK
  • 968 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    27
    expressions of gratitude
    shared
  • UP TO
    23
    random acts of kindness
    completed
  • UP TO
    210
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    70
    minutes
    spent learning

Melissa's actions

Wildlife

Learn to be a Responsible Tourist

Being a responsible tourist means not disturbing wildlife and choosing eco-friendly tour operators and destinations that prioritize wildlife conservation and respect animal welfare. I will spend 30 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn How to Save the Bees

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 30 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 1 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Learn About Water Justice

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 30 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Express Gratitude and Random Acts of Kindness

Small acts of kindness and gratitude can brighten someone's day and create a positive ripple effect. I will express gratitude to 10 people or perform 10 random acts of kindness to spread joy and connection.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Share Information about Local Resources

Knowledge of local resources helps communities thrive. I will learn about local resources, especially mutual aid groups, and share them with others on social media, in conversations, or in other ways that help spread the word.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Empowering the Next Generation

Conduct an Audit with a Young Person

Learning by doing empowers youth. I will conduct an environmental audit — such as a home energy or waste audit — alongside a young person to teach them practical sustainability skills and see what I learn from them as well.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Empowering the Next Generation

Support a School

Schools play a crucial role in youth development and be hubs for sustainability. I will donate funds, time, or supplies to 2 local schools to support environmental education, field trips, sustainability projects, and youth empowerment. I will share how I supported schools on the feed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Enjoy the Outdoors for 30 Minutes

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, then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Sustainable Innovation

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

When companies and governments make large-scale changes to their products and practices, it makes sustainability more accessible to the masses, in turn creating further demand for sustainable products, and the cycle continues. I will advocate for improved, sustainable food packaging through petitions, letters, or by supporting brands that prioritize eco-friendly packaging - and share my advocacy actions on the feed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Learn about the Magic of Seaweed

Seaweed is a powerful ally for the planet. I will spend 30 minutes learning how seaweed can improve ocean health, capture carbon, support sustainable food systems, and inspire eco-friendly products.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Earth Day in the Agora

Come by the Agora on April 22nd and visit the different booths and activities. Bring your own mug for some free fairtrade hot chocolate.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Native Bee Workshop

On April 23 from 11:30-1:00pm in AME-120, learn about all the “other” bees who have been living in the shadow of the honey bee for far too long. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: -Introduction to the wonderful world of wild bees -Gain skills on how to identify wild bees -Learn what you can do to help them thrive on campus & in your own backyard

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

De-Stress Fest

Join us in the Agora on April 23-24 for our famous de-stress fest. Animal therapy, massage chairs, sound room and more!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Recycling Workshop

Learn about the new provincial recycling rules and get useful tips for sorting materials at home. Presentation offered by Société VIA April 17th in AME-606 12:30-1:30pm

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Plant Workshop

Come to AME-606 on April 10th for a plant sharing workshop with Josee Lanouette. Learn about how to care for common house plants and share your own tips with others. 12:30-1:30pm

UNCOMPLETED
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?


  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/18/2025 5:14 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Walked to our poll station today. Only 7 minutes away. Would have been ridiculous to drive. Spent part of our time outside waiting to vote (there was a line-up)! Then got a show of firemen across the street ... We walked back home a longer way, to get some steps in.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Sustainable Innovation
    What new insights did you gain about seaweed’s role in combating environmental challenges? Were you surprised how many products you may already be using contain seaweed?

    Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/17/2025 8:14 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    This seems like the perfect answer to everything! Well ... many things. I don't see why there isn't more investment into something that will be better for all in the long run. I wish new up and coming businesses would take notice and become more serious about it. I hope there will be a huge market for it soon. I'm not sure I'm using any products yet, but I'll definitely look into it!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you observe or experience while spending time outside, and how did it affect you? How does connecting with nature enhance your physical and mental well-being?

    Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/16/2025 7:08 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    The reason I try to do this action every year is because I know it's good for me! When I spend time outside in nature, my senses awaken. I feel calm and relaxed (like all my troubles can disappear for a while). Even just getting the sun on me or breathing in the air does wonders. I scoffed the other day at the millionaire women who went to space for 3 minutes. Katy Perry sang "It's a Wonderful World" because she said, from her viewpoint up there, she could see how our planet was special in the vastness of space. I say, you don't need to travel to space to get that message. Just go outside and interact with nature. Also, not everyone is rich enough to just take a ride to space. Can you imagine the fuel that was used to send that rocket up? Did she think of that?

    • Maurene O’Farrell's avatar
      Maurene O’Farrell 4/18/2025 10:28 AM
      • Adventurer 🏔
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      I was thinking the exact same thing! The rich can be so detached from reality. More emissions in the atmosphere for no good reason.

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/16/2025 6:56 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    One of my acts of kindness today was to promote a delicious Indigenous catering company on Facebook! Their food is local (they buy local ingredients) and it tastes fabulous. One of the perks is their strawberry juice. You need to try them, if you live in Montreal (Tiohtiá:ke).

    • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
      Melissa Tomecz 4/18/2025 5:10 PM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      FYI: the business is called Messy Kitchen ;)

    • Evelyn Newton's avatar
      Evelyn Newton 4/17/2025 5:47 AM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      That sounds delicious! I'll make sure to check them out@

    • Railean Calin's avatar
      Railean Calin 4/16/2025 7:00 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Awesome That’s such a thoughtful act of support! Promoting local Indigenous businesses not only lifts communities but also introduces more people to amazing, authentic flavors. That strawberry juice sounds incredible—definitely adding them to my must-try list when I will visit Montreal.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What did you learn about how tourism impacts wildlife, and how can you make more conscious choices when planning a trip? How do you think your travel decisions can contribute to wildlife conservation and respectful interactions with nature?

    Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/15/2025 7:11 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    The information I learned was mostly things I already knew about. It makes me feel good when I realize how I have seen or observed wildlife when I travel. The last time I saw wildlife in shows or circuses was when I was a kid. The past few decades, we have always seen wildlife in their natural habitat. In the South Carolina Aquarium of Charleston, the species they have there are basically in a sanctuary because they are injured and would not be able to survive in the wild. A similar thing can be said for our very own Ecomuseum here, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue! The only exception is Omega park ... I'm not sure if they have good intentions because although the animals can be observed in their natural habitat, feeding them takes away from that true wild experience.

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/14/2025 7:12 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I can't believe we are already two weeks in! We are halfway through the challenge. I think I chose more actions than I could do, but I'll try however I can, to do most of them :)

    • Esther Szeben's avatar
      Esther Szeben 4/15/2025 9:46 AM
      • Community Builder 🤝
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Melissa, re : the beach glass, my friend gave me about 10 pounds of beach glass that she inherited from a great aunt! I don't know the original provenance of the material but I suspect somewhere near Southern Ontario as she was from there. Yes- crazy to think we have been doing this challenge for 2 weeks +!

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/13/2025 3:10 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Today was a wonderful day to be outside! I went for a walk and saw so many people doing things: washing their car, or cleaning up their lawn. Kids were out on their bikes, and people were walking their dogs. Spring was definitely in the air. I passed by the entrance to my nature park and wonder when they will get the water fountain up and running.

    • Andrea  Foster's avatar
      Andrea Foster 4/13/2025 3:59 PM
      Those are amazing. Our school PTO purchased two for our gym. I hope your city gets these up and running soon.

    • HyunSik Oh's avatar
      HyunSik Oh 4/13/2025 3:56 PM
      • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
      • 18-DAY STREAK
      It looks like a nice nature park!

    • Michele Bourst's avatar
      Michele Bourst 4/13/2025 3:15 PM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      • 13-DAY STREAK
      I am in Florida and OMG the whole weekend was so beautiful even inland you felt like you were at the beach with not a cloud in the sky!!!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    How did expressing gratitude or performing acts of kindness impact you and the recipient? Did anything surprise you about your experience?

    Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/12/2025 8:05 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I know doing these things always makes me feel great---especially the acts of kindness. I try to be conscious of it and sometimes, I think I'm not even aware when I do it! I realized, most days, these things come naturally to me. I had a conversation with one of my fellow JAC Sustainability team mates this past week, and she surprised me with a chocolate egg to cheer me up. My gratitude was over the roof! And her act of kindness really made my day. I suppose both of these go hand in hand. You can't really have one without the other.

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/11/2025 5:28 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Can't wait for the weather this weekend! It will be nice to take a 30 minute walk outside :)

    • Evelyn Newton's avatar
      Evelyn Newton 4/11/2025 7:55 PM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Watch out for mud! There might be some leftover from the rain earlier today.

    • Spencer  Ow's avatar
      Spencer Ow 4/11/2025 5:38 PM
      • 13-DAY STREAK
      Hope you have enjoyed your walk.

    • William Sarmiento's avatar
      William Sarmiento 4/11/2025 5:31 PM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Don't forget to put on sunscreen :)

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/10/2025 7:25 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    This week has been so busy, I have not really had the time to enjoy the outdoors for 30 minutes. The weather is frustrating me too.