Ecochallenge.org

Earth Day Ecochallenge

April 1 - April 30, 2020

Roxanne Haddrell

Off Campus

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
301 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

105

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

90

minutes

not spent in front of a screen

Roxanne's actions

Action Track: Building Resilience

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 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

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

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Support Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators, including monarch butterflies, to produce fruit. I will spend 30 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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

People

Support A Sharing Economy

To reduce my consumption and waste and support my community, I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Fresh Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

Join your site Green Team

Make an impact at Intuit by joining your Green Team. No experience is necessary, just passion for environmental stewardship

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate

Calculate your savings

Calculate and compare your carbon footprint to similar households and create a personalized climate action plan.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Support you local Small Business

Continue to support your local small business during the month of April and share in the social feed of how you powered prosperity.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Support a local small business or non-profit

Join our global Intuit community to create real impact in the lives of our customers and community by donating time and money to help those in need. Take these three actions to express how we Care and Give Back.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

Kid's Corner

Try one of these kid friendly games to increase your child's understanding of sustainable choices - adults may learn a thing or two too!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

Roxanne Haddrell 4/25/2020 8:36 PM

For the past two years, we have had people over for dinner every Friday night. Now, no one is able to go out. I miss our friends. This week, we made Peach Crumble in individual serving containers so we could seal them hot and deliver them to our usual dinner guests. They were ecstatic! Now, I get to each Peach Crumble and don't have to worry about too many left-overs.

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- Anna-mary Geist 4/28/2020 3:42 PM
  
  This is awesome!!
  
  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?

Roxanne Haddrell 4/24/2020 7:28 PM

I have a family of squirrels living nearby. I watch them run back and forth on the fence many times per day. Today I learned more about them: They are an alien species - Eastern Squirrels living on the Vancouver Island. They are not good for our Garry Oaks because they typically damage the nut when they bury them, preventing them from germinating; They may spread disease to and squeeze out our native Red Squirrels. We are trying to contain them to the Southern Island by controlling their habitat. That is done by not having mixed forests that would attract them and put them into contact with the Red Squirrels.

It is amazing the trouble that can be caused simply by moving a wild animal!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Support Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Roxanne Haddrell 4/22/2020 6:57 PM

Most of our food requires pollinators. Without them, our diet becomes less diverse. This could lead to health problems as we decrease the variety of nutrients we consume. Nutrition is far more complicated than anyone has ever told us.

One summer, I spent an afternoon photographing the different pollinators I saw in the wild blackberries growing at the back of our property. I later counted 8 different species of bee in my photos. In addition, there were 2 species that didn't stay still long enough for me to get a picture of them, one type of hornet, and several other types flying insects as well. The diversity of pollinators really impressed on me how wonderfully made our world truly is!

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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?

Roxanne Haddrell 4/22/2020 6:51 PM

Four years ago, I moved into a suite in a house situated on 5 acres, backing onto wild space. I shared many photos of my new outdoor surroundings with my family. My mother said "what about the inside? What does that look like?" I said "I don't live inside - I just sleep there." I've found that the more time I spend outdoors engaged with my surroundings, the less time I have for things like TV and video games. I am much more interested in the things that I do, and feel more accomplished at the end of the day. This disconnection from the natural world may be contributing to the high levels of anxiety and depression we see in society today.

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Roxanne Haddrell 4/22/2020 5:13 PM

Today I visited a local egg farm. Our family goes through a lot of eggs, and I like to buy them direct from the producer. Today I got a flat of multi-coloured, multi-sized eggs with imperfect shaped shells. I love them!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate Calculate your savings

What is our personalized climate action plan?

Roxanne Haddrell 4/21/2020 8:34 PM

I check my Hydro usage once or twice a month and compare my usage to similar homes nearby. I am consistently below the average. Once or twice in the past 16 months I had above-average use. Typically this happens in the winter if we forget to turn the heat down at bedtime. This reminds us to be vigilant about checking. Our nightly checklist is: Lights, Oven, Heat, Computers. Calling them out as we check reminds all members of the household to check each night - thus increasing the chances that someone will remember to do it tomorrow night!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
People Support A Sharing Economy

What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?

Roxanne Haddrell 4/21/2020 8:30 PM

With everyone in self-isolation right now, we have had more time available for cooking and baking. That means we have more good food available to share. Today, we made a batch of Baked Beans. A friend was stopping by to drop some work off, so we gave her a mason jar full of hot baked beans. At a time when we are not able to physically visit one another, the sharing of food is helping us let each other know we still care.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Fresh Water Eco-friendly Gardening

What are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.

Roxanne Haddrell 4/21/2020 8:27 PM

We have been experiencing droughts and forest fires in the province for a number of years. I started collecting rain water for my garden a few years ago. Even a light rainfall will amount to a few gallons of water when collected on a tarp on the lawn.

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