Ecochallenge.org

Earth Day Ecochallenge

April 1 - April 30, 2020

Makenzie Fauver

Santa Barbara

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
380 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

55

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

45

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

3.0

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill

Makenzie's actions

Forests

Choose Better Wood Products

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Research a Wild Animal

I will spend at least 20 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

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

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Oceans

Support Organic Growing Methods

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Fresh Water

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

Climate

Local knowledge

I will learn how Santa Barbara has been affected by climate change.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn about Native Plants

I will research native plants at least once per week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Care for Wildlife

I will learn what to do if I ever find a wild animal in need.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Clean Creeks

I will watch at least 5 Creeks Division PSA videos throughout the month of April.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Live in harmony

I will learn how to live in harmony with a wild species in Santa Barbara County and beyond.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn about CSA

I will become informed about our local CSA (community-supported agriculture) resources through reading the below article.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

Support a local business

I will either buy a gift card, write a review, order takeout/delivery, or ask how to help a local business.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Dishwasher Efficiency

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Fresh Water

How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Makenzie Fauver 4/17/2020 4:51 PM
We can start now getting in the practice of limiting our necessary water consumption, this could be running the dishwasher only when full or cleaning windows less often, or going through a car wash less often as well so when the time comes we are ready.

Read More
- Louisa Lubiak 4/17/2020 5:27 PM
  Many automated car washes recycle their wash water. I'm not sure about the self-serv ones where you can wash your truck.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans

It is often said that “you can’t feed the world with just organic food.” What is your response to that statement?
Makenzie Fauver 4/17/2020 4:45 PM
I think that its inaccurate and people should not have that mindset when it comes to organic foods. I believe it is 100% possible if we were to put in an effort, humans haven’t always had processed foods and they survived then so why cant we now?

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests

Beyond carbon sequestration, what other benefits do forests offer you personally?
Makenzie Fauver 4/17/2020 4:42 PM
Forrests offer me an escape from towns and cities and provide a place where I can go to undisturbed land and connect more deeply with nature and the wildlife in it.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?
Makenzie Fauver 4/17/2020 4:38 PM
By spending more time outdoors, you experience yourself in a new way outside of technology, and away from the stress and buzz of everyday life. You can see the local wildlife and see the native plants around you.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Makenzie Fauver 4/09/2020 3:12 PM
By knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and use by dates, you are more likely to make better decisions about which foods you purchase at the store. By knowing the difference you are more likely to purchase foods that will last longer, and then these foods you buy won’t go to waste.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What interesting facts did you learn about the animal you researched? What are some of your favorite things about this animal?
Makenzie Fauver 4/08/2020 2:45 PM
I researched the Jaguar, and I learned that they are the only big cats in the America’s. Although they look a lot like leopards, their spots are a lot more complex with an extra dot in the center. I also learned that they love the water and some food sources are aquatic organisms.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

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?
Makenzie Fauver 4/08/2020 2:36 PM
If you find yourself without a reusable bag somethings you can do to try to avoid using a disposable bag, you can use a cart to take it to your car, or if there is one, you can buy a reusable bag from the store. Also if you really need to use a disposable bag, you can reuse and recycle it.

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