Ecochallenge.org

Earth Day Ecochallenge

April 1 - April 30, 2020

Ana B

Siskiyou Climate Crew

"In the market for a hydrogen-fueled car."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
898 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

130

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

300

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

112

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2,010

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

130

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

2,130

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

39

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

35

conversations

with people

Ana's 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

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

Fresh Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

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

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Forests

Forest-Friendly Foods

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate

Use Muscle Power

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Pollinator landscaping

I will adjust the landscaping of my yard to support local pollinator populations

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

Forests

Advocate for Forest Protection

I will contact 1 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and improves their ability to sequester carbon and nourish biodiversity.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Create water-wise landscaping

I will mulch all landscaping using leaves I've saved from the fall or coconut husk fiber in order to make the water I use in landscaping last longer.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 1 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

Oceans

Support Organic Growing Methods

I will buy organic cotton and foods grown without the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

People

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: Earth Day Together!

Earth Day Action: Write a Love Letter, Poem, or Song to Earth

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

COMPLETED
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?

Ana B 4/23/2020 1:43 PM

It is official, Jackson County is in a severe drought.
https://ashlandtidings.com/news/top-stories/drought-declaration-in-jackson-county-is-a-disaster-on-top-of-the-covid-19-disaster-oregon?fbclid=IwAR0ng8vSAqxXtyaYWB1dvQR2o81_msj1HzP_XdKem3sJy1BtlqRtYuLjURw

I don't think this is a moment for despair. What can be done to raise awareness NOW, rather than during the coming months? Is there an informative social media campaign we could help give legs to? "Word of mouth" marketing (usually via social media/text/email) one of the most effective information-sharing methods in the valley.

Read More
- Ana B 4/24/2020 8:20 AM
  
  Thanks Erin!
  
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- Kathy Conway 4/23/2020 9:44 PM
  
  We had nice gentle rain here yesterday. It was very nice, but when I looked under some of the trees in our forest, the ground wasn't even damp. Nice that the trees got a good drink, but a clear measure of how little reached the ground in some places.
  
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- Erin M 4/23/2020 5:25 PM
  
  Great perspective! Two of the folks on our team know a ton about this - Eric Dittmer and Shavon Haynes. I don't know if they are often on the feed, but it might be worth it to send them both an email via EcoChallenge.
  
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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?
Ana B 4/23/2020 1:22 PM
SKUNKS!! I was inspired to find out more about them after finding out they can actually cohabit well with humans. Some of my most favorite info tidbits:

Skunks live in Costa Rica... who would've thought of them as a tropical animal!

They can aim their stink in a jet, or atomize it in a cloud. Dealer's choice.

Lady skunks hang out together during the winter.

They eat vermin and insects that are harmful to agriculture.

Skunks adore cheese...me too!
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- Alice Hardesty 4/24/2020 9:20 PM
  
  Gosh, they're so photogenic! A few years ago my dog found them awfully cute too - not very convenient for my pet sitters (we were away on vacation).
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Earth Day Together! Earth Day Action: Write a Love Letter, Poem, or Song to Earth

What are you grateful for about our planet? Share what you created or your general thoughts of love and gratitude with everyone else!

Ana B 4/22/2020 10:27 AM

A reflection....

In my life I have:
Watched seedlings emerge like it was Christmas morning
Danced in summer rainstorms...ok, who am I kidding, as a kid, I would lie on the sidewalk and let the rush of water drench me
Tasted the sun in still-warm, freshly picked tomatoes
Smelled the clean scent of impending snow
Felt the welcome chill of cold water down to my bones, swimming in a river on a hot summer day
Slept to the sound of frog-music
Heard undauntedness- it is the honks of geese talking to each other as they fly

I am most alive when
I am appreciating
the life of the Earth

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- Tia McLean 4/22/2020 5:46 PM
  
  I agree Anna...and she brings us back to life when we are feeling depleted.
  
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- Shannon Christopher 4/22/2020 10:29 AM
  
  Beautiful Haiku❤️
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests Forest-Friendly Foods

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Ana B 4/21/2020 2:11 PM

It wasn't that hard, but it is always good to track backwards how what I am buying got to me. What are all the components involved, and how was each made? How far did it have to travel? How many times will I use it? It is something I do in the grocery store, before I buy any piece of clothing, and almost any item I bring into my home.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Support Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Ana B 4/21/2020 2:07 PM

I like to eat, which means I LOVE pollinators. Without these amazing lil' guys, everyone else would starve.

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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.

Ana B 4/21/2020 2:05 PM

Drought & pollution are probably the top two concerns. But I think that WASTE is a huge one too. There is so much conservation of resource that could be happening and isn't.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

Ana B 4/21/2020 2:03 PM

I love knowing not just how beautiful a hill or a mountain is to look at, but what the view is like from its top, and what it looks like up close. Every time I do something like that, I feel more connected to the place- it becomes less abstract and more HERE.

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Ana B 4/16/2020 10:55 AM

TEAM! At this moment, we are beating BOTH the California and the Washington team. Keep up the great effort!!!

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Ana B 4/16/2020 10:30 AM

Super interesting NPR LifeKit Podcast episode on what the terms Organic, Cage-Free, & Fair Trade actually mean, how each impacts the environment and social equity. Also, it's short! Just 22 minutes.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans Support Organic Growing Methods

It is often said that “you can’t feed the world with just organic food.” What is your response to that statement?
Ana B 4/16/2020 10:27 AM
I understand where that statement comes from. Prior to the invention of pesticides and man-made fertilizer, famine was much more wide-spread than it is now. HOWEVER, I think that we have more innovations in other areas that were not available then, but are now. For instance, rice that has been genetically modified to grow in water with a higher salt content- one that would kill other plants. "Organic" means that

most industrially produced pesticides, weedkillers and fertilizers were not used in the process of growing the plant.

Instead, organic farmers fertilize their fields with composted manure (this means that livestock are a MUST as part of growing organic food). They try to control insect pests and harmful fungi with natural predators, by rotating their crops or by using chemicals that exist in nature, such as copper. Growing grains, fruits and vegetables organically typically takes more work, and the fields typically produce a little less food, which is one reason that it's more expensive.

Cows and pigs on organic farms have to be able to go outside and graze.

Chickens are supposed to be able to go outside too, although the current rules are loose enough that hens at some large organic egg farms don't really go outside much.

All of these animals have to eat organically grown feed. That's the main reason that organic eggs and dairy products are more expensive.

Also, the animals can't be treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.

It doesn't mean that innovation isn't allowed. With that in mind, I do think that the world can be fed while adhering to the guidelines above.
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