Carle Health

I always feel invigorated by seeing others participate in the Ecochallenge. To be able to share with others and feel a sense of community is inspiring and I hope I can inspire others just to do what they can! Every little step makes a difference! The little differences add up! Together we can restore the Earth!

Tornado preparedness. more prepared!

A helpful app: I started using Yuka which is a free app that scans food and drinks as well as self-care products and provides a score. It lists the positives and negatives in terms of ingredients and explains why. The additive list is particularly helpful as it shows ones that are risky and explains why, but also the additives that aren't...

I try to buy food and other items that have thoughtful packaging. Many of them state how much post-consumer recycled materials were used and I love that they make this statement. It shows the power of the consumer. I noticed when looking up use of composite material vs wood that most of the composites are made from recycled plastics....

Unfortunately, I didn't meet this goal this month. I still plan to plant herbs, tomatoes & peppers, but didn't find time yet. However, I'm already grooming my raspberry plants! I chose this goal because I think it's important to eat food directly from the earth to remind us of that direct connection and our reliance on nature.

After learning about my personal water footprint, I started to really think about the amount of water going down the drain and the impact my own wastefulness has made. Now when I shower, wash dishes, or water plants, I think of water as money and how I could complete each task with less cost.

Plan to plant an IL native willow by the pond (probably a black willow), and an oak tree somewhere on our property. Do not plan to do this until the fall which is the preferred season to plant the trees for optimal root development.

planted a persimmons tree on the family farm.

Participated in annual spring cleanup in our neighborhood park/commons by the lake

I have logged northern cardinal, american robin and eastern gray squirrel (in my backyard). I already have Merlin Bird, Seek by Inaturalist and Rock identifier loaded on my phone. I plan on loading the Inaturalist for biodiversity in Illinois to add to identifications in the state. I have also downloaded (for information) the forest...