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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar

Kathleen Shonsky Samuels

Carnegie Mellon University

"I will do as much as I can to support wild life, reduce my carbon footprint and recycle my trash."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 432 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    101
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    187
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    97
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    462
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    427
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    3.7
    pounds
    food waste prevented
  • UP TO
    9.0
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    7.8
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved

Kathleen's actions

Wildlife

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags can be mistaken for food by many wild animals. If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Oceans

Learn about Our Oceans

I will spend at least 60 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

Oceans

Advocate For More Packaging Options

Plastic packaging can clog our water ways and the stomachs of sea creatures. I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

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

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by prepping for 1 meal(s) each day, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

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

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 12 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
    Wildlife Use Reusable Bags
    What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar
    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels 4/17/2020 2:21 PM
    plastic grocery bags have limitless uses during a pandemic.
  • 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?

    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar
    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels 4/17/2020 2:20 PM
    White-tailed deer are devoted to their family!  I have seen them protecting each other as they cross the road several times, and they are really brave about it.

  • Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar
    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels 4/16/2020 12:58 PM
    The weather has been keeping me from getting outside for longer periods.  Rain, even snow, cold winds,. 
  • 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?

    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar
    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels 4/15/2020 12:56 PM
    One of the blessings of a church family in this time of crisis is social media contacts and live streaming services
  • 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?

    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar
    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels 4/15/2020 12:54 PM
    I think it is imperative that we spend more time experiencing nature in person, not online.

  • Kathleen Shonsky Samuels's avatar
    Kathleen Shonsky Samuels 4/07/2020 11:49 AM
    I addressed and stamped 3 Hallmark cards (they are giving away free greeting cards to send to people having a difficult time with social distancing.  I sent to a cancer patient, a healthcare worker and a food service worker.  It made me feel good, and thankful to Hallmark for the idea!