Joshua Vaught
4/12/2025 6:54 AM
- Wildlife Guardian 🦉
- 8-DAY STREAK
Making sure you stick to trails and established campsites so as not to damage vegetation, water sources, or soil.
Joshua Vaught
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 426 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO155minutesspent learning
Joshua's actions
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.
Land, Water, and Air
Calculate My Carbon Impact
Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.
Land, Water, and Air
Reduce Food Waste
Wasting food also wastes water, energy, and resources. I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.
Wildlife
Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace means enjoying nature responsibly by minimizing our impact and leaving the environment as we found it, or better. I will spend 20 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.
Empowering the Next Generation
Learn About Indigenous Conservation Practices
Indigenous communities have stewarded ecosystems for generations through deep-rooted knowledge and connection to nature. I will spend 20 minutes exploring Indigenous conservation methods and reflecting on their role in fostering balance and equity with nature.
Land, Water, and Air
Plastic Free Lunches
Avoid Single Use Plastics when you prepare your lunch. Post a picture of your SUP free lunch on your Feed to the team.
Community and Connection
Connect with nature
The goal is to share how we connect with nature and our environment by posting pictures of our favorite spot. This will allow team member to learn about NC's parks and Natural resources
Community and Connection
Explore the Feed and Connect with Others
I will spend 10 minutes reading the Ecochallenge feed each day and giving high fives or commenting on posts by people who I don't know, but whose content inspires or interests me.
Wildlife
Learn about Native Species
The world is full of unique species that all play an important role in nature. I will spend 10 minutes learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.
Participant Feed
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REFLECTION QUESTION
WildlifeWhat is one way you can reduce your impact on nature the next time you spend time outdoors, and how might that action help preserve the environment for others?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity and ConnectionWho inspired you on the feed, and why? Did you meet anyone new, learn anything exciting, or discover a new perspective?
Joshua Vaught 4/04/2025 3:59 PM- Wildlife Guardian 🦉
- 8-DAY STREAK
Others mentioned using less water which is something I don't always think about. I will try to be more conscious about my water usage such as not running the faucet when brushing my teeth, taking less time to shower, not dumping out water that's still usable (like drinking water), and not overwatering the lawn (or planting things that use less water.-
Andrea Foster 4/04/2025 4:08 PMJoshua, I have been participating with the eco challenge four years and I’ve really improved with being mindful of my shower time as well as turning the faucet off while brushing my teeth.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirAn average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Where would you rather use this money? What patterns did you notice in the food you threw away, and how can you address them?
Joshua Vaught 4/01/2025 4:24 PM- Wildlife Guardian 🦉
- 8-DAY STREAK
I normally throw out food when it's expired, and usually it's vegetables. So I made a conscious effort to buy fewer of them and use them up quicker. Also, some foods are still good after the "use by" dates, especially if they are in cans or jars. I still try to be careful with them, but I've definitely tried not to throw them out just because they were a few days older. Keeping these things in mind has helped me throw out less. -
Joshua Vaught 4/01/2025 4:02 AM- Wildlife Guardian 🦉
- 8-DAY STREAK
Any tips on planting milkweed and wildflowers? I have a small space in front of the townhouse I live in, and it gets sun pretty much all day. It's filled with pinestraw, but I'm not sure what's the best soil or mulch to use. I've tried before but I don't think I watered enough and only one plant survived.-
Kari Wouk 4/01/2025 9:52 AM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Wildlife Guardian 🦉
- 10-DAY STREAK
I have had mixed luck with milkweed but I finally have one that has become established! I have a very shady yard, so having sun will be a bonus. Mine is in a moist area.