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Ivana Tough's avatar

Ivana Tough

JAC Sustainability

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 815 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    63
    single-use bags
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    14
    plastics audits
    conducted
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    1,219
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    3.0
    products
    replaced with sustainable alternatives
  • UP TO
    48
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    2.0
    sharing economies
    explored
  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent learning

Ivana's actions

Health and Well-Being

Replace a Product

Small changes can make a big difference for health and sustainability. Using what I learned from auditing ingredients in the products I use, I will replace 3 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Go Get a Check Up

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 55 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Swap and Share with Others

Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 3 swaps or sharing activities, like borrowing items, attending or hosting a swap meet, or giving away items I no longer need to support a sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn How to Save the Bees

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 25 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags do not always end up in landfills and if they aren't properly disposed of. In nature, they can be mistaken for food by many wild animals and harm wildlife. When I go shopping, I will be sure to bring my own bags to reduce waste and the chance that plastic bags could find their way into wildlife habitats.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Produce No Waste for a 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 24
DAILY 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 15 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Plant (or Adopt) a Plant

Landscaping with native plants, gardening, and having plants inside can have benefits for nature and our health. I will plant or adopt a new plant or grow one from seeds and post a photo of it to the feed.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Sustainable Innovation

Choose a Product Made with Sustainable Materials

Every choice matters. I will purchase or switch to products made from sustainable or recycled materials to support innovation and reduce environmental impact.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Conduct a Plastics Audit

Reducing plastic use starts with awareness, and there are amazing innovations in materials to replace plastic! I will conduct an audit of the plastic products I use daily and identify items I can replace with sustainable alternatives.

COMPLETED 14
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

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!

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

Community and Connection

Check In with a Friend or Colleague

Staying connected strengthens relationships and boosts well-being. Each day, I will reach out to 5 friends or colleagues to check in, have a meaningful conversation, or offer support.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

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
    Health and Well-Being
    How did exercising each day impact your physical or mental well-being? What activity did you enjoy most, and why?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/30/2025 9:07 AM
    For the past few years a colleague and I go for 'lunch walks', rain, snow or shine!
    Whether we take a lap around campus or wander into town, we take the time to look at the vegetation blooming, check out weird birds and fully disconnect from work for one blissful hour.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/30/2025 9:05 AM
    Thankfully over the past several years with our local shops banning single-use plastic bags, this habit has become second nature!
    I barely hear anyone whine about it anymore, either!

    • Evelyn Newton's avatar
      Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 2:51 PM
      • Book Lover 📚
      • 17-DAY STREAK
      Reusable bags are so much better too! You can pick ones with cool designs to bring around, so they look better than single use anyways.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    What was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/30/2025 9:04 AM
    When I am able to plan the entirety of my week ahead, it is rather easy. Although, this also happens to be when seasonal allergies hit the hardest and I haven't quite committed to a fabric hankerchief for the season (forgive me!)

    This question reminds me of a comment someone made during last year's Ecochallenge that stuck with me: folks who wear contact lenses have a much tougher time having a Zero Waste Day!

  • 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?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/30/2025 9:01 AM
    I have always been conscious of the 'leave no trace' philosophy and preach it far and wide. Although I realize that travel is not the best for the planet, but I will also continue to purchase offsets when I do.
    I am particularly excited to continue my learning through an upcoming trip to Costa Rica - they put a lot of emphasis on eco-tourism.
    I recall when I first started working in the International Programs Office, this was a trip run for JAC students!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    How did you participate in the sharing economy? (Consider posting a photo!) What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/30/2025 8:57 AM
    My partner and I went through our giant bookcase and we filled 2 large (reusable!) bags with books to populate JAC's take-a-book-give-a-book cases scattered across campus! It makes us happy that someone might enjoy the stories as much as us and I am particularly thrilled to have less items in my home!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What motivated you to schedule or attend your check-up, and how did it make you feel afterward that you completed this action?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/30/2025 8:55 AM
    The month drawing to a close was my primary motivator for booking a dental cleaning! It flew by and I won't have much free time to get it done in the coming months!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    How did checking in with someone strengthen your relationship or provide support? How did it feel to reach out and connect?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/23/2025 11:26 AM
    It always feels nice to reach out to friends when they cross your mind. Conversely, when someone you haven't spoken to in a while sends you a silly meme because it made them think of you, it is so heartwarming.
    A great experience both ways! Now I just need to find the time to follow up on all the 'WE SHOULD HANG OUT!!'s - it could be worse!

  • Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/23/2025 6:56 AM
    Had an incredible long weekend in Victoria, B.C.!
    Went for a long hike through the ancient sequoias and down to Mystic Beach!

  • Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/08/2025 1:19 PM
    Hate to be whiny but WHAT is UP with this snowfall today :(
    Grateful to still have my snow tires on. Be safe on the road everyone living in Montreal and its surrounding regions!

    • Anna Lepine's avatar
      Anna Lepine 4/08/2025 3:05 PM
      I KNOW! Also, I heard on the news that last year on this day was the solar eclipse - that day was so warm! April is weird, I guess!

    • Shannon Coulter-Low's avatar
      Shannon Coulter-Low 4/08/2025 1:30 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 10-DAY STREAK
      If April showers bring us flowers, what does April flurries bring us? Not a joke, just curious! :D
      Spring will be here before we know it!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Sustainable Innovation
    What surprised you most about the amount or types of plastic you use daily? What sustainable alternatives are you excited to try, and how do you think they’ll reduce your plastic waste?

    Ivana Tough's avatar
    Ivana Tough 4/08/2025 11:37 AM
    I've fully immersed myself in switching from plastic snack bags to reusable glass containers; the most surprising aspect of it was how much I relied on single-single use plastics out of sheer convenience.
    It certainly cut down on dish-washing volume.

    • Anna Lepine's avatar
      Anna Lepine 4/08/2025 3:09 PM
      That's great! I gave up cling wrap about five years ago. It's one of the few things I did that I stuck with. I still occasionally buy zip bags, but I wash them out and reuse them as much as possible. I am hopeful that every little bit counts!