

Kieran Wade
Guardians of The Green (LGTBQ+, Sustainability, MILVets, MIL, STAND, SOMOS, WIL ARG's)
"Learning how to make a positive impact and how to leave less of a negative footprint one step at a time."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,668 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0carbon footprintcalculated
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UP TO600gallons of watersaved
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO1,567minutesspent exercising
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UP TO2.0sharing economiesexplored
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO3.0community eventshosted or attended
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UP TO3.0ideasshared
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UP TO2.0new placesexplored
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UP TO135minutesspent learning
Kieran's actions
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.
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.
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.
Health and Well-Being
Reduce Refined Sugar
Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.
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.
Land, Water, and Air
Take Shorter Showers
Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!
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.
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.
Land, Water, and Air
Reduce Vehicle Idling
Idling cars wastes fuel, contributes to climate change, and pollutes the air in our communities. I will turn off my engine when waiting in my car to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.
Community and Connection
Offer a Skill or Service
Sharing our talents can benefit those around us. I will offer my skills or services to support my community, such as helping someone with a task, tutoring, repairing something, or volunteering my expertise.
Community and Connection
Join a Group
Belonging to a group can help build friendships and a sense of purpose. I will explore online or in-person groups or clubs that share my interests or goals and join a group to connect with others.
Community and Connection
Visit or Learn About a Culturally Significant Site Near Me
Sites of cultural and spiritual significance hold deep meaning for many communities, particularly Indigenous peoples. I will learn about or visit a site near me that is significant to the history, culture, or environment of the area. I will approach my visit with respect by researching its importance and guidelines beforehand, reflecting on how we can preserve these spaces for future generations.
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 15 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.
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.
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.
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 2 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.
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.
Community and Connection
Explore My Area
Discovering what’s nearby fosters a deeper connection to my community. I will explore 2 new places in my area, such as parks, historical sites, or local businesses.
Community and Connection
Swap and Share with Others
Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 2 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.
Wildlife
Learn to Grow Plants Your Way
Growing plants can be rewarding and can create habitats big and small for wildlife. And, we can grow things almost anywhere! I will spend 15 minutes researching options for growing plants either inside or outside.
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.
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.
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.
Health and Well-Being
Audit Toxic Products in my Home
Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 15 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.
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?
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Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:48 AMTeam, it has been an amazing journey with you all this year! I hope we all feel an invigorated drive to make a difference the rest of the year. Make sure all your reflection questions are complete -- and see you at the finish line! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONSustainable InnovationWhat sustainable product did you purchase, and how does it align with your values?
Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:47 AMCompostable litter bags and bamboo toothbrushes! I'm getting more and more used to checking the packaging for sustainability labels now instead of just throwing things into the cart. We have to be mindful! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth and Well-BeingHow did exercising each day impact your physical or mental well-being? What activity did you enjoy most, and why?
Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:42 AMThis has been the most life-altering new habit for me. Adding regular exercise to my schedule has made a massive change to both my mood and energy levels. I'm still tired most of the time (adulthood, am I right?) but I have a lot more energy and endurance for active tasks than I did before and I am a lot prouder of my health. This is another one I'm going to keep up with! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirHow did being mindful of vehicle idling change your perspective on fuel consumption and air quality? What other transportation habits can you adopt to reduce your environmental impact?
Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:41 AMMy car has an idling shut-off button that I was hesitant to use before to the ecochallenge but am addicted to now. Every time I come to a full stop at a red light and it does not shut my engine off, I get upset! I'm still fine-tuning it, but it's a new habit I don't see myself breaking anytime soon. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirHow did shortening your showers affect your awareness of water conservation? What other water-saving practices can you adopt in your daily routine?
Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:39 AMThis has been fun. I love routine and efficiency and have never been one to require soaking under a hot shower unless I'm aching something fierce, so it feels like a game to me. Still... The time that it takes for the water to heat up is an extra level of water waste that can be shaved down. I still want a graywater system in the future! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirHow 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?
Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:38 AMBeing mindful of water use just made me all the more aware of all the other times we run water when we don't need to. I find myself turning the faucet off more often now and properly planning out the most efficient way to wash our dishes. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth and Well-BeingBefore you started this challenge, did you think you were 'addicted' to sugar? How do you feel now? What was the most challenging part of reducing refined sugar, and how did you overcome it?
Kieran Wade 4/30/2025 8:37 AMI certainly have not overcome my addiction to sugar, but I'm more mindful of my treats now. This one is going to be my greatest challenge moving forward, but I think this past month of cutting back has been a major first step! -
Kieran Wade 4/29/2025 6:27 AMWith only two days left, we need to review our one-time tasks, complete what we can, and swap out what we cannot. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity and ConnectionWhat 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?
Kieran Wade 4/29/2025 6:24 AMI'm a regular farmer's market attendee, but the market doesn't start up again in my area until after the ecochallenge is over, so the events I attended were concerts :) I feel like I'm bending the instructions of the task a bit, but I did end up integrating into the community more through both events. I went alone, made friends both times, and familiarized myself with the public transit system. I'm feeling more and more like a local each month that passes!-
Jennifer T 4/30/2025 5:43 AM- Parent 🐻
- 17-DAY STREAK
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Kim-Marie Schulze 4/29/2025 6:42 AM- Plant Parent 🪴
- 16-DAY STREAK
I think its very cool that you are challenging yourself to find connection in your community Kieran!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWildlifeHow did it feel to plant something, and what kind of gardening did you do (indoors, hydroponic, outside in a garden, etc)? What did you plant and where? Feel free to share a photo to the feed!
Kieran Wade 4/29/2025 6:21 AMI finally redid my planting containers yesterday. I cleared the old dried-out plants, topped up the dirt, and sowed fresh seeds! I also covered the pots with wire mesh to keep the squirrels out -- let's see if that works. I've planted a few herbs and a lot of pollinating flowers. I can't wait to bring some color to my back porch.-
Kerry Keck 4/29/2025 6:43 AMExcellent.
Sometimes procastinating is a good thing: many native, solitary bees overwinter in the stems of plants. So by cutting them back and/or pulling out the old plant all together leads to a negative outcome for pollinators.
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