Ruby Matouschek

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.

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.

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

I will spend 2 minutes researching local organizations and businesses in my community, then support one of them by writing a testimonial or positive review, ordering curbside, making a donation to my favorite nonprofit, or supporting them in another way.

I will replace 10 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside that follows CDC guidelines for preventing disease spread.

Through social media or on the Earth Day Ecochallenge feed, I will share my favorite environmentally friendly habit with my friends, even if it’s not an Earth Day action.

I will express my love and gratitude for our Earth by writing a love letter, poem, or song to Earth.

Avoid beauty products with micro beads or harsh chemicals that will feed into the ground and your water supply.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).

I will scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher and only run the dishwasher when it’s full.