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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Joseph Strouse's avatar

Joseph Strouse

SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers

"To make a better tomorrow starting today."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 816 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    12
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    324
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    3.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    675
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    675
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    11
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    18
    pounds
    waste composted

Joseph's 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 3 hour(s) in my community helping people who are most at need right now, including elderly and immunocompromised people, people without childcare, and people whose jobs have been affected by social distancing measures.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Forests

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 4 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

People

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

Wildlife

Research a Wild Animal

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Fresh Water

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

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.

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?


  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/23/2020 2:06 PM
    I'm ready for warmer weather... these cold walks are not my idea of fun. 

    • Sarna Salzman's avatar
      Sarna Salzman 4/24/2020 3:42 PM
      Go Joe! You are racking up points for the team! Impressive and productive!

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/18/2020 7:22 PM
    A little over half way through this challenge and I have fully adopted the less flushing of my toilet water idea. I have also got my brother doing it as well. 

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/14/2020 8:53 PM
    Its weird with the stay at home order and working from home. Like I am no longer traveling as much thus my MPG is great on my vehicle and using less gasoline. However I know my energy bill has gone up... I'm going to have to use the carbon footprint calculator that was sent out a day or so ago to see where I can adjust. 

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/09/2020 4:52 PM
    I'm hoping to get to some of my one time challenges this weekend... you'd think spending so much time at home would give me more opportunities to do that sort of research. The month isn't over yet. 

    On that note, I want to congratulate the team as we sit at #30 and encourage you all to keep up the good work and to thank you for all of your effort with this challenge. 

    • Louisa Lubiak's avatar
      Louisa Lubiak 4/09/2020 5:44 PM
      Hi Joseph! Your Ecochallenge team is going like gangbusters, and your SEEDS programs are awesome! I was an AmeriCorps member 20 years ago in New Jersey, so environmental youth groups are near and dear to me. Keep up all the great work! :-)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Compost Food Waste
    New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?

    Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/09/2020 4:47 PM
    I really enjoy composting my coffee grounds as well as my egg shells... they are really going to benefit my garden in the coming months. 

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/07/2020 5:43 PM
    Another day, another victory! I am getting much better at the NOT flushing. I got to go up to the school today and get some stuff done around the greenhouse, I really need to get a better compost system set up there at the school... good thing I have time to work on that now. 

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/04/2020 6:47 PM
    The hardest daily challenge I am having is conserving toilet water... its muscle memory at this point in time. But I am getting closer to 50% less usage, so that is something. 

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/02/2020 4:30 PM
    Another gorgeous day outside for a walk. The pups enjoyed getting out and getting all the smells. :) 

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 4/01/2020 3:11 PM
    Nice long walk, used reusable bottle for my coffee and water. Going my kitchen waste in my fridge until I can get my worm bin going.

  • Joseph Strouse's avatar
    Joseph Strouse 3/25/2020 12:02 PM
    I don't like that I am limited to only 5 daily choices. I will be doing a few more like practicing a plant based meal each day (mmhhmmm salad and soups) as well as contacting people via phone or webcamera to stay in contact while practicing social distancing. Stay safe all.