Skip to main content
Coleman Young's avatar

Coleman Young

KEEN

"Excited to develop some lasting habits during this year's ecochallenge!"

Coleman's points

  • 0 TODAY
  • 175 THIS WEEK
  • 775 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    160
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    78
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    645
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    1.0
    sharing economy
    explored
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning

Coleman's actions

Personal

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 45 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Take the Pre-Survey

Take the Pre-Event Survey

I’ll take a short pre-survey to share what motivated me to join — and earn 15 points! (If I already took the survey by email, I’ll just mark this action complete to get my points.)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Mulching helps soil hold water and reduces runoff. I will mulch the base of trees or other plants at home, school, or in my community to improve water retention and soil health.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Offer a Skill or Service

Sharing our talents can benefit those around us. I will offer my skills or services that contribute to local self-sufficiency, such as teaching a repair skill or helping with a neighbor's garden.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Participate in a Habitat Restoration Project

Healthy habitats support resilient wildlife populations. I will join 1 restoration efforts, such as planting native plants, cleaning a natural area, or repairing trails to protect biodiversity.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Choose Native Plants

Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife and help ecosystems adapt to change. I will choose native plants for my yard, balcony, or community space instead of non-native or ornamental species to support biodiversity resilience.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Work and Organizations

Host a Cleanup Event with Colleagues

Shared projects at work strengthen teams and build organizational resilience. I will host or join 2 cleanup events with colleagues, classmates, or group members to improve our environment and strengthen collaboration.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

Meditate

Meditation helps build resilience and clarity. I will spend 10 minutes each day to meditate or create a moment of silence each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Leave the Leaves

Fallen leaves, logs, and brush provide shelter and food for wildlife. I will leave natural features in my yard or community space to help strengthen biodiversity and soil resilience.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Soil and Food

Grow Something to Eat

Growing food builds resilience by connecting us to the soil and reducing reliance on long supply chains. I will grow edible plants—such as herbs, vegetables, or grains—in my home, balcony, or community space, strengthening both my food security and local biodiversity.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

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

Personal

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Collect Rain Water

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports local needs. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Swap and Share with Others

Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 1 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

Community

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Soil and Food

Learn How to Save Pollinators

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spend 45 minutes learning how to support local pollinators and take at least one action—such as planting native flowers or avoiding pesticides—to help sustain resilient ecosystems and harvests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Take Part in a Community Beautification Project

Working together builds resilience and pride in the places we care about. I will participate in 1 community projects such as a cleanup or local beautification project that strengthens connections and shared purpose.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is a simple way to boost our personal health and support a more resilient food system. I will prepare and enjoy 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Create My Own Water Action

Everyone’s water needs and use are different. I will create an action that works for my life and supports water resilience—and make my commitment public by sharing it in the feed to inspire others.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal
    How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet? What fruits or vegetables did you try this week, and which was your favorite?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/14/2026 10:58 AM
    Eating more fruits and veggies always make me feel physically better. I typically don't eat meat during the week, only on the weekend occasionally.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water
    What did you notice about how mulching helps the soil and plants? How does this small action connect to bigger ideas of water resilience?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/13/2026 10:17 AM
    I cleaned out my gutters before mulching and found almost only pine straw in the gutters. So, I reused that in addition to some mulch.

    • jon garrett's avatar
      jon garrett 4/13/2026 6:50 PM
      • Parent 🐻
      I always use what I take out of my gutters in compost instead of throwing it in the trash.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How did you participate in the sharing economy? (Consider posting a photo!) What are the benefits of sharing resources, and how does this strengthen resilience in your relationships and community?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/10/2026 12:12 PM
    I did some spring cleaning and donated all the clothes I haven't worn in a while.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Soil and Food
    What did you learn about the role of pollinators in food systems? Did you take any action to support pollinators? If so, share a picture in the feed!

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/09/2026 11:49 AM
    In the future, I’d love to get into beekeeping. For now, I’m focused on establishing pollinator-friendly gardens across my property to ensure they have the resources they need when the time comes.

    • Barbie Bell's avatar
      Barbie Bell 4/10/2026 8:21 PM
      I think beekeeping would be fun. Unfortunately I am allergic. So I just admire from afar.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Soil and Food
    What did you decide to grow, and how did it feel to start (or care for) your plants? What connections did it give you to soil or food resilience?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/08/2026 9:45 AM
    I'm planning on building a larger vegetable and herb garden, but waiting this year to see how the sun hits where I have in mind. In the meantime, I have 4 blueberry bushes that are starting to flower!

    • jon garrett's avatar
      jon garrett 4/09/2026 1:53 PM
      • Parent 🐻
      If I don't get a full garden going this year I at least want to start an herb garden.

    • Barbie Bell's avatar
      Barbie Bell 4/08/2026 8:05 PM
      I want to do a blueberry bush too. I have to wait until next year. I already have too much planned for this season already.

    • Caroline Phillips's avatar
      Caroline Phillips 4/08/2026 9:58 AM
      • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
      vegetable gardens are so fun! I hope you enjoy!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal
    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?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/07/2026 9:28 AM
    This one has been tough. I normally have some sugar in my tea, and haven't found an alternative I like outside of honey

    • jon garrett's avatar
      jon garrett 4/07/2026 12:27 PM
      • Parent 🐻
      I have always enjoyed my tea sugar free, and coming from the south where tons of sugar in tea is the standard I have always been looked at as strange. But, I have always liked the actual taste of the tea with its bitterness and not brown sugar water.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity and Wildlife
    What native plants did you choose, and how do they support wildlife in your area? Share a photo in the feed!

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/06/2026 9:40 AM
    I planted quite a few new plants in my yard over the weekend. One of them is this Rhododendron that should bloom a butter yellow in the future.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water
    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?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/04/2026 1:04 PM
    I'm trying to remember to turn the faucet off whenever I'm not actively using it.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal
    What motivated you to schedule or attend your check-up, and how did it make you feel afterward that you completed this action?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/02/2026 3:36 PM
    Just went and got my annual teeth cleaning. Love the way feels to have super clean teeth!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity and Wildlife
    What natural features did you leave in place, and what wildlife do you think could benefit from them?

    Coleman Young's avatar
    Coleman Young 4/01/2026 12:03 PM
    I don't have many deciduous trees in my yard, but I've been scattering my grass clippings and pine needles at the base of my trees as well as leaving the sticks in piles for the birds to make nests with.