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 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!
I am trying to start some seeds indoors (basil using seeds that I saved from a plant a few summers ago, tomatoes, agastache, and sunflowers). Unfortunately, some of the basil seedlings seem to have developed some mold, but the tomatoes seem to be sprouting.
Back in January, I also started some milk carton greenhouses in the yard to try to grow butterfly weed, autumn joy sedum, and coneflowers from seeds I harvested last fall. I am starting to see the first signs of butterfly weed and coneflower seedlings! I get so excited when a new seedling first sprouts in what looks like a barren patch of soil. The seeming impossibility of it gives me such a sense of hope.
Those include some excellent flowers to support our pollinators (bees & butterflies, especially). I've been trying to raise native plants from seeds for a couple years. I'm getting better at it!
What project or organization did you choose to support, and why did it resonate with you? What are some ways you can continue to support wildlife conservation beyond financial contributions?
I donated to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation and participated in their monthly Seal Walk to learn about the local seals and see them in their natural habitat. We received emergency contact information for the WDC to save future seals or whales that we find beached or in distress.
Recently read "Traffication" by Paul Donald. It is a fantastic book about the unconscious impact of traffic noise and our environment and wildlife. I 100% recommend it as a spring read!
I would love to read this one day. Although I am a slow and forgetful reader. I like reading and then immediately sharing the books information with others that way at least if I forget a fact, maybe someone else will remember and implement it into their lives. To follow that up, I think that the major impact from traffic on wildlife would mostly be habitat fragmentation. Did the book give other major contenders for negative impacts of traffic on wildlife? If yes, what are they?
If you want to start a book club, message me. I am always open to learning by passing around ideas, perspectives, and knowledge.
This is my first spring season in our new house. I am looking forward to identifying the invasive and native species on the property. A long-term goal is to have all native plants in our yard and garden to help with animals, insects, and pollinators. If you have any gardening tips and tricks, I'm all ears.
Enjoy new life! Before you start, it's a good idea to get to know your garden. Check the aspect – is it south-facing or north-facing? Knowing where the sun hits the ground will help you decide what to grow where. It's also worth knowing what soil type you have. Take a look at what's growing. Doing a soil test will further help you know your soil, and therefore what plants you can grow.
What surprised you most about your water footprint, and how did it influence your perspective on water use? What changes can you make to reduce your water consumption, and how will these impact your daily routine?
I have been trying to go waste free for years now, and it has really raised my awareness of how hard it can be. There are days I get super close but go to a club meeting that only has paper plates and disposal utensils or eat one piece of candy with a wrapper that is then thrown out. Even though I still aspire to reach zero waste, I am pretty sure that thinking critically about my habits has substantially reduced the amount of waste I generate.
What perspectives or ideas did you hear from young people, and how did they challenge or expand your understanding of environmental issues? Did anything surprise you that they had to say?
This was a helpful reminder to reach out to friends I haven't been in touch with in a while - it felt great to connect with them and see how each other is doing!
What surprised you most about the amount or types of plastic you use daily? What sustainable alternatives are you excited to try, and how do you think they’ll reduce your plastic waste?
I've made cold brew concentrate into storage in the fridge to use throughout each week and do the same with chai. It's a fantastic time saver and zero-waste.
Kerry Keck 4/17/2025 2:28 PMThose include some excellent flowers to support our pollinators (bees & butterflies, especially). I've been trying to raise native plants from seeds for a couple years. I'm getting better at it!
