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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

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,518 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    37
    random acts of kindness
    completed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    41
    expressions of gratitude
    shared
  • UP TO
    4.0
    ideas
    shared
  • UP TO
    1.0
    school
    supported
  • UP TO
    300
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    90
    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.

COMPLETED
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 28
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.

COMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
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 10
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.

COMPLETED
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

COMPLETED
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!

COMPLETED
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 4/30/2025 7:14 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Out of the 16 actions that were on my dashboard, I only missed out on four of them. I chose too many, as I thought it wouldn't be too difficult. In the end, it was the time that I didn't have. There's always next year, and I learned a lot from our team's feed too. Congrats to all who made it through the month and who will continue their good habits! See you next year :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Empowering the Next Generation
    How can schools play a bigger role in shaping future environmental leaders, and how can you support them?

    Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2025 7:02 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    The schools I looked up all seemed to have environment clubs or green initiatives. I saw that École Secondaire Cavelier-De LaSalle had climate action practices, including getting an industrial composter to reduce their waste. I wanted to donate funds to the school, but when I went there, the link wasn't working :( Then I asked my friend if her son's school (Royal West Academy) had environmental initiatives. They do have an environmental club and students learn things about climate during the year, so I donated money to their foundation which will help to empower students through plans of an expanded library!

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/29/2025 5:47 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Just experienced a crazy wind thunderstorm here. It came on without any warning---thought we would lose power! Lights flickered a bit, but then the storm passed and a rainbow came out.

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/28/2025 6:28 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Part of my time outside in the afternoon was evacuating the school because of a fire alarm! It was so warm and beautiful outside for it :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What resources did you discover, and how do you think they can benefit your community? How did sharing this information make you feel more connected to your community’s needs and opportunities?

    Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/27/2025 4:55 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    One of the groups I found was On Rock, and I have brought new groceries over to them last year, to fulfill an action I chose in the eco-challenge of 2024. But there are so many other organizations for mutual aid that are good to know about. I think I will see if public libraries in the area advertise or promote these services. I could have this info on hand at the JAC library where I work too---even though we have a college Foundation to serve our students in need. There can never be enough aid! I'm amazed and happy that there are many of them in the West Island. Here are a few groups:
    On Rock Community Services
    211 Grand Montreal
    West Island Assistance Fund
    Action Jeunesse de l'Ouest-de-l'Ile



    • Evelyn Newton's avatar
      Evelyn Newton 4/28/2025 5:34 AM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      This is very helpful! Thanks for sharing!


  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/27/2025 4:30 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    The day ended quite beautifully, in terms of weather! We got to go for a walk, and I took some time to prep my car for Spring.

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2025 7:21 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I can't believe there are only 4 days left for the challenge! Was too busy again today to get much of anything done :( I gotta step it up!

    • Evelyn Newton's avatar
      Evelyn Newton 4/26/2025 8:43 PM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      It's not over until it's over, you got this!

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/25/2025 8:31 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Happy Arbor Day!! Give thanks to all the trees out there :) My favourite is the Willow! Then it's the big Oaks with Spanish moss on them. Do you have a favourite tree?

    • Crina Marta's avatar
      Crina Marta 4/25/2025 9:04 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • Adventurer 🏔
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      I like the magnolia tree, called also the noble tree!

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/23/2025 8:20 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Already one week left! Today, I attended the Native Bee workshop held at the AME, and it was SOOOO worth it! I got to hold some cute lethargic male bees. We learned a lot of important information---including how honey bees are actually increasing and were never native to Canada. They are actually domesticated versions of wild bees (kind of like chickens are domesticated birds). Though honey bees are important, they are not the ones in decline. AND many people think that saving bees means saving honey bees. Nothing can be further from the truth. It is the wild, native bees which need our help more than ever! There are so many species of bees, ranging in size, it is so difficult sometimes to distinguish them. I've always had a soft spot for bumblebees (which have pretty vicious lives), but most bees deserve our respect and support. Also note, most do not sting unless they feel threatened (protecting their nest) and most can sting more than once, contrary to popular belief! Only the females can sting. Here are some cool pics from our session.

    • Esther Szeben's avatar
      Esther Szeben 4/24/2025 5:03 PM
      • Community Builder 🤝
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      That’s really cool! I’m sorry I missed this event. And not to mention, we can help the wild bee population by planting… you this , Melissa- native pollinator plants like echinacea, wild columbine and milkweed!!!

  • Melissa Tomecz's avatar
    Melissa Tomecz 4/22/2025 6:57 PM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Today, I learned that May 20th has been declared World Bee Day by the UN! My favourite bees are bumblebees. I love having them buzz around me in the Summertime when I'm pruning my rose bush! They are so adorable and fuzzy :)

    • Evelyn Newton's avatar
      Evelyn Newton 4/22/2025 7:20 PM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Bees are so important to our world! If you ever see a struggling bee they can benefit from some sugar water, which can help them regenerate a bit of energy. This can be served in a bottle cap.

    • Lisa Brenskelle's avatar
      Lisa Brenskelle 4/22/2025 6:58 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 15-DAY STREAK
      It' great fun to watch the bees feeding on flowers.