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Katrin Werlen's avatar

Katrin Werlen

Team Arch

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 819 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    28
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    1,515
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    810
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    2.0
    new places
    explored
  • UP TO
    220
    minutes
    spent learning

Katrin's actions

Health and Well-Being

Declutter and Donate

Decluttering can reduce stress and benefit others. I will declutter my home and donate items I no longer need to support others in my community.

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

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 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.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

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 30 minutes researching options for growing plants either inside or outside.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 60 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Participant Feed

  • 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?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/29/2025 1:54 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    important is to be prepared. have your snacks and lunch packed eco-friendly, so I don't have to buy something on my way. Bring a sandwich from home instead of a ready made sandwich from a shop.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What surprised you most about the products you use in your home?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/29/2025 1:52 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    I already use sustainable cleaning products for my household, so I felt quite good about those products. I liked some of the suggestions on how to clean with only natural ingredients like baking powder, vinegar,...
    When it comes to cosmetics, there is still room for improvement with some of my products.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    Are you a gardener or house plant lover? Why or why not? What do you need to elevate your plant care skills?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/28/2025 1:57 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    I don't have a garden (although I would love to...) but I have a big balcony. I love to grow my own herbs, tomatoes and some berries and there is nothing more rewarding than eating what is coming from my own little space. Since all my plants have to grow in pots, I have to improve my watering to make sure they don't dry out in summer.
  • 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?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/28/2025 1:56 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    I love to travel and visit unspoiled nature places. I am aware that I am "spoiling" those places, so making sure I have minimal impact on nature and support local communities is very important to me. Although I thought I am a responsible traveller, reading through these documents still gave me some good tips how to even improve my travel behaviour further.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What did you learn about the sacred site’s history and significance? Why are these sites important to protect, support, and understand?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/28/2025 1:44 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    I visited an ancient pile-dwelling settlement in the western part of Switzerland. The settlement dates back to the bronze age (3000 b.c.).
    It was really impressive to see how people lived at the time and what fascinating handycrafts they mastered. It was a fascinating travel into ancient European history and what importance lakes and water had for the early settlers. Having clean water was essential to survival, and it remined me that people still fight for water today.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    How did decluttering and donating items make you feel, both emotionally and physically?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/28/2025 1:36 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    It's not just freeing up space at home but it also frees up my mind when I have less things in my cupboards and drawers. It looks so much nicer at home.
  • 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?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/28/2025 1:35 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    I am feeling much better after a nice run or a long hike. I also sleep much better and feel more energy
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    Before 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?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/28/2025 1:34 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    I really love sweets, so it is hard for me to totally abstain from any sugar. However, I noted that many pre-processed foods include sugar, so I try to produce my food from natural ingredients myself (make my own bread, more home-made food) with that I can much better control the amount of sugar I am eating and when I eat something sweet, I know exactly what's in there.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What native species did you learn about in your area, and how do they contribute to your local ecosystem or community? How might your community change if these native species disappeared?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/24/2025 2:12 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    We just had a new appearance in our neighborhood, which I am very excited about. We have a young male beaver living in a small river nearby. The beaver has been completely exterminated in Switzerland through hunting and destroying of habitat. In 1950 the beaver was re-introduced in Switzerland by a private initiative and the population is starting to recover, but is still highly endangered. I am excited to see how this beaver will shape its environment.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you observe or experience while spending time outside, and how did it affect you? How does connecting with nature enhance your physical and mental well-being?

    Katrin Werlen's avatar
    Katrin Werlen 4/14/2025 7:27 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 15-DAY STREAK
    Have you ever heard of shinrin-yoku? Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” is the Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature through mindful walks in the forest. It helps reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall well-being by engaging the senses and slowing down.
    Read more about it here: https://advance.muschealth.org/library/2024/july/forest-bathing

    Definitely something I experience whenever I am outside!