April 1 - April 30, 2020

Whitney McClees

"Here for the earth while staying away from people. The best way to support people from afar is to cement habits that will have long-lasting impacts on the environment."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
452 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

100

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

490

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

520

minutes

spent outdoors

Whitney'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

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Action Track: Building Resilience

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 20 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

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

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
Action Track: Building Resilience Support Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Whitney McClees 4/30/2020 2:49 PM

All pollinators, not just bees, are crucial to the food chain and the ecosystem. Pollinators maintain native species by helping them spread, which buoys our ecosystems.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests Explore My Area

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

Whitney McClees 4/21/2020 1:55 PM

Since everything with COVID started, I've been spending more time outside just to give myself a break from my house. I've been seeking out the different trails my town and the surrounding towns have to offer and it's been really enjoyable seeing these pockets of natural area that exist seemingly right next to various types of human development. I've seen osprey with fish, buzzards, coyotes, deer, various songbirds, and other wildlife. It's reassuring to know that there are still areas where wildlife and biodiversity is thriving even with the presence of human beings.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Research Benefits of Biodiversity

How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?

Whitney McClees 4/21/2020 1:52 PM

I can opt for native plants in my backyard that support pollinators and other wildlife. I can also advocate for the successful preservation and conservation of local habitats that support a variety of life: woods, wetlands, beaches, etc.

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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?

Whitney McClees 4/09/2020 6:10 AM

Rachel Carson definitely knew what she was talking about regarding the beauties and mysteries of the natural world being crucial for our spiritual and emotional development. I definitely feel better when I spend more time outside and away from screens, technology, etc. Getting outside also helps with community connectivity. A culture that spends most of its time indoors is one that will likely end up with struggles with mental health, isolation, and loneliness. The brain thrives on oxygen and exercise and our eyes need a break too. Interacting with the natural world reinforces our commitments to keeping it clean and healthy.

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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?

Whitney McClees 4/09/2020 6:06 AM

I picked a Mola mola to research. I learned that they let birds and cleaner fish eat the parasites off of them. I had no idea Mola mola could have up to 40 pounds of parasites attached to them. I also learned they eat jellies and often mistake plastic bags for their main food source.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests Forest-Friendly Foods

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Whitney McClees 4/03/2020 11:07 AM

I have been keeping track of what food items have palm oil since the EcoChallenge last year, so that's been a process of elimination over the last year. Chocolate was the challenge. I really try to stick to only rainforest certified chocolate when I do buy it. Fortunately, eliminating palm oil also eliminates a lot of the types of chocolate that contribute to deforestration.

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Whitney McClees 3/31/2020 1:50 PM

Looking forward to getting started tomorrow! Time to continue showing up for the earth.

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