Ecochallenge.org

Earth Day Ecochallenge

April 1 - April 30, 2020

Amy Hargis

Brevard Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
679 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

89

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

72

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

240

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1,220

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

1,040

minutes

not spent in front of a screen

Amy's actions

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 3 person/people a day through phone call or video chat to support mine and other’s mental and emotional health during this challenging time.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Oceans

Learn about Our Oceans

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about how our oceans support life on Earth by producing oxygen, regulating climate, and providing habitat, food, and jobs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research a Wild Animal

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs

Bringing home unique souvenirs from trips you’ve enjoyed is meaningful, and giving people unique gifts from other places is fun. Seek souvenirs and gifts that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Forests

Forest-Friendly Foods

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Forests

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area while following CDC guidelines for social distancing.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Oceans

Support Organic Growing Methods

I will buy organic cotton and foods grown without the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Fresh Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 60 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside that follows CDC guidelines for preventing disease spread.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Leave No Trace

I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans Learn about Our Oceans

What is one way in which oceans support your life on Earth? What is one way you can help take care of ocean health with your actions?

Amy Hargis 4/30/2020 3:24 PM

Oceans are incredibly important for our climate and weather patterns. Without our oceans, we would not be able to survive on Earth. Ocean currents help to move moisture and heat around the globe, both of which humans rely on for food production, health, and all other necessary life things. One way I can help to protect the health of our oceans is by eliminating unnecessary single use plastics in my daily life through habit change and personal choices.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans Support Organic Growing Methods

It is often said that “you can’t feed the world with just organic food.” What is your response to that statement?

Amy Hargis 4/30/2020 3:19 PM

I think that's incorrect because the amount of food waste counteracts the need to produce so much food. With a more balanced system and less food waste, I believe that it would be possible to feed the world with organic food. Additionally, modern farming produces feed for animals that are then eaten as meat. If this practice was radically reduced, farming methods could transition towards nutritionally dense, organic foods.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

Amy Hargis 4/30/2020 3:15 PM

Food sovereignty addresses the transition to modern food systems by stating that people have the right to define their own food and agriculture systems. Food sovereignty addresses the fact that modern food systems often eliminate foods often associated with various cultures in favor of monocrops and mass produced foods. Modern food systems can be very exclusive and focused on large scale operations, which essentially eliminates more ecological and sustainable methods of farming. Food sovereignty is a declaration that individuals should be able to have more control over their food systems.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Research a Wild Animal

What interesting facts did you learn about the animal you researched? What are some of your favorite things about this animal?

Amy Hargis 4/30/2020 2:53 PM

I researched the mountain goat and learned that they are avid climbers who are often seen on steep cliffs. They are very sure footed and agile. Interestingly, the mountain goat is actually not in the same genus as the domestic goat. The mountain goat moves around depending on the season to support its dietary needs.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Leave No Trace

Educator Stephanie Kaza advises her students to focus on what they care about most when addressing the enormity of ecological problems. Is there a specific area you feel particularly called to work on?

Amy Hargis 4/30/2020 2:48 PM

I feel particularly passionate about getting others out in nature and connecting to the outdoor world around them. I enjoy outdoor activities and am a health-conscious person, so I enjoy hiking and biking. When others want to do these things with me, I feel particularly happy because I feel like maybe I have helped to encourage them by leading by example. I think once people connect with their surroundings, especially their outdoor environment, they are more likely to become advocates themselves.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Research Benefits of Biodiversity

How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?

Amy Hargis 4/30/2020 2:45 PM

I can encourage biodiversity by growing wildlife friendly plants and eliminating the use of fertilizers and pesticides. I can also conserve energy and focus on buying locally grown, organic produce as much as possible.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Amy Hargis 4/23/2020 10:03 AM

Knowing the difference between these terms helps me to waste less food and buy more consciously because I am able to determine how much food I can/will use within a certain time frame.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience Spend Time Outside

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

Amy Hargis 4/08/2020 6:37 PM

I always feel the happiest when I am outside and usually when I am doing something active. As a culture that is less happy than in previous generations and spends most of our time inside, I think that there is definitely a strong correlation between the two.

Read More
- Marjie Wolfe 4/08/2020 7:59 PM
  
  I love being out in nature too, one of the main reasons I miss the zoo work so much this month. I am finding lots of beauty around our area this week and that makes me joyful
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs

How do your consumption choices affect the health of wildlife and other communities?

Amy Hargis 4/08/2020 6:33 PM

Gifts made from virgin materials, such as paper resources, can contribute to deforestation through logging for paper. However, by purchasing recycled content gifts, like puzzles and cards, you use a source of paper that has already been in production.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests Forest-Friendly Foods

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Amy Hargis 4/06/2020 9:00 AM

I have found it to be relatively easy in some ways and difficult in others. I recently switched to drinking tea in the morning instead of a cup of coffee, so that has helped me to lower my impact from deforrestation. However, I find that some items are hard to figure out their environmental impact even when reading the label because there are so many ingredients that it's hard to figure out which are bad.

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