Ecochallenge.org

Earth Month Ecochallenge 2025: Conservation

April 1 - April 30, 2025

Emily Vonderschmitt

MBHS APES 24 - 25

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
331 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

carbon footprint

calculated
UP TO

240

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

22

conversations

with people
UP TO

3.0

community events

hosted or attended
UP TO

75

minutes

spent learning

Emily's actions

Community and Connection

Attend a Local Event

Local events such as farmers' markets, festivals, or community meetings like town halls are great ways to feel part of a community. I will attend 1 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Try At Least One Principle of Leave No Trace

After learning about the Principles of Leave No Trace, I will take at least one action to minimize my impact on the outdoors while enjoying nature. I will post what I tried to the feed to encourage others to do the same!

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Host a Gathering

Bringing people together helps strengthen bonds. I will organize and host a gathering, such as a potluck, coffee meet up, or shared meal, for friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors to foster connection and community spirit.

COMPLETED
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 3 friends or colleagues to check in, have a meaningful conversation, or offer support.

COMPLETED 7
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Save Water When Washing Dishes

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

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 30 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Join a Cleanup Effort

Working together to clean up public spaces helps the environment and builds community. I will participate in 2 community cleanup efforts in my neighborhood or local area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Audit Toxic Products in my Home

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 30 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Prepare for Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can disrupt lives and upend our communities. I will take proactive steps to prepare for extreme weather by safeguarding my home and creating or updating an emergency plan and kit with essential supplies, evacuation routes, and contact information.

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
Wildlife

How did your experience go in trying an action to Leave No Trace? Did you notice others doing the same, or not? From a perspective of having empathy for others, why might people not adhere to the Leave No Trace principles?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 9:12 PM
Trying an action to Leave No Trace, like packing out all trash after a hike, felt rewarding and helped keep the area clean for others and wildlife. I noticed some people doing the same, but others left litter behind—possibly because they were unaware of the principles, felt rushed, or underestimated their impact. From an empathetic perspective, people might not follow Leave No Trace because they lack education about it, feel disconnected from nature, or are influenced by habits and convenience.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What 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?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 9:11 PM
One way to reduce your impact on nature is to stay on designated trails to avoid damaging plants and disrupting animal habitats. This helps preserve natural ecosystems, ensuring that wildlife can thrive and future visitors can enjoy the area’s beauty.

Read More
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?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 9:08 PM
Tourism can negatively impact wildlife through habitat disruption and stress, but responsible travel can also support conservation efforts. By choosing ethical experiences and minimizing environmental impact, travelers can help protect wildlife and promote respectful interactions with nature.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What was the most unexpected piece of trash that was picked up during your local cleanup effort? How does working with others to clean up your community make you feel?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 9:01 PM
The most unexpected piece of trash I found during the clean up were dirty torn up socks and shoes.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

Where in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 9:00 PM
I emit the most carbon through driving places and I plan on changing this by walking more than driving.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

How did changing your dishwashing habits make you more mindful of water use? What other small changes can you make to conserve water in your household?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 8:59 PM
Changing my dishwashing habits made me realize that my family wastes a lot of water when doing dishes, we used to try to load the dishwasher every night depending on how many dishes were in the dishwasher.

Read More
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?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 12:42 PM
I defintely strengthed my relationships with my friends by hanging out with them and checking up on them.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community and Connection

What was the most rewarding part of bringing people together for a gathering? Did you experience any challenges in hosting, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 12:41 PM
My parents hosted easter dinner and we had a few friends come over. I had a lot of fun being able to talk to people.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community and Connection

What did you enjoy or learn from attending a local event in your community? How did participating in this event deepen your connection to your local area?
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/30/2025 12:39 PM
I went to a community event in my neighborhood where they had food, drinks, they were playing music and everyone was talking with each other

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Well-Being

What did you do to prepare for extreme weather events? Share any tips or resources you found helpful in the feed!
Emily Vonderschmitt 4/24/2025 10:55 AM
To prepare for extreme weather events in California, I stay informed by regularly checking weather forecasts and signing up for emergency alerts. I’ve built an emergency kit with essentials like water, food, and first-aid supplies, and I make sure my home is secure—creating defensible space for wildfires and securing heavy furniture for earthquakes. I’ve also mapped out multiple evacuation routes and made sure everyone in my household knows the plan, and I’ve considered getting insurance coverage for fire or flood damage to stay prepared for any situation.

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