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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Kate Reichert's avatar

Kate Reichert

Virginia Zoo's Socially-Distant Climate Change Resistance

"To challenge myself and others to be more reflective about our role in creating a better, safer, wilder world."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 690 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    124
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    280
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1,530
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    1,440
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen

Kate'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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Research Local Climate Issues

I will spend at least 10 minute(s) a day researching climate issues or climate solutions in my local area and share with others through my team feed, social media, or conversations with my peers.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 60 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 2 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 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
    Forests Explore My Area
    How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

    Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 4/15/2020 9:32 AM
    Every time I'm outside walking around my neighborhood or trails with which I feel I'm pretty familiar, I'm amazed by the small new things I discover each time. It makes me realize just how much is going on in even a small area, and makes me feel like I'm getting a more intimate understanding of this "place" with each and every walk.

  • Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 4/04/2020 9:43 AM
    While doing my daily action of research on climate change impacts to our area, I looked into the recent stories about the projected 2020 Atlantic hurricane season being "more active than normal." If you're interested in learning more about how climate change is impacting hurricane paths and severity, NOAA has a lot of great learning resources for students and also an up-to-date collection of research about the topic here.
  • 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?

    Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 4/02/2020 3:13 PM
    It sure does ring true! There's so much research that shows and explains the positive things nature does for our brains and bodies, and while that seems obvious to me because of my interests and lifestyle, I'm so grateful to see how quickly the instinct to play and imagine takes over when the children in my life are forced off their tablets and given space to play outside!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Research Local Climate Issues
    In what ways is your local community resilient to shock events like we’ve experienced recently? How could you help it become more resilient?

    Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 4/02/2020 3:06 PM
    I think I'm still learning ways the HR/Norfolk community will show resilience in the weeks and months to come, but finding ways to solidly ground our actions in the spaces we move through each day-- our homes, parks, community spaces, neighborhoods, roadways-- is I think a way for us at the zoo to take our passion for global conservation and apply it in our own backyards. Being able to see results on a localized scale builds resilience by providing hopeful, tangible examples of positive change.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Connect While Social Distancing
    How does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?

    Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 4/02/2020 2:56 PM
    I think connecting with others is something I seek out anyway but often feel too busy for, so in the current situation it's been amazing to notice how much time I can devote specifically for connecting with others AND still be productive both personally and professionally (and perhaps even MORE so because I took the time to connect!). So please, reach out if you ever want to chat, it's more important now than ever!

  • Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 4/01/2020 7:21 AM

    • Mary Beth Waltman's avatar
      Mary Beth Waltman 4/02/2020 11:57 AM
      I really like that article. I am going to apply a few of the techniques to my routine, Thanks for the share!

  • Kate Reichert's avatar
    Kate Reichert 3/27/2020 8:54 AM
    It's apparent to me now more than ever how everything, and everybody, on earth is connected. Excited to find some light together during this strange time!