Cynthia Pavelka

Continue to remove invasive species (bush honeysuckle, callery pears, & garlic mustard) in my yard and farm. Trying foliar spray for small honeysuckle and mowing or pulling garlic mustard.

Through social media or on the Earth Day Ecochallenge feed, I will share my favorite environmentally friendly habit with my friends, even if it’s not an Earth Day action.

Switching my home garden and orchard to using only organic labeled pesticides when needed.

We encourage teammates to connect to other local green organizations (including each other) and practice supporting local businesses at least once a week. Re-share a post, order curbside, make a donation to your favorite non-profit, or find a local business to make a purchase from! Let’s keep making St. Louis a greener, healthier, and more sustainable place to live, work, and learn! Have other or more specific actions to add to the Connect Local, Support Local Building Resilience Challenge please email Fbrandt@mobot.org.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators, including monarch butterflies, to produce fruit. I will spend 100 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

Avoid beauty products with micro beads or harsh chemicals that will feed into the ground and your water supply.

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

I will plant 100 native tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.