Katy Simmons
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 167 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO60minutesspent learning
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UP TO40minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO85minutesspent outdoors
Katy's actions
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.
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.
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.
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!).
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.
Food
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Learn the Truth About Expiration DatesHow does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Katy Simmons 4/30/2020 9:58 AMI feel more comfortable using certain foods longer than I might have before. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Spend Time OutsideRachel 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?
Katy Simmons 4/30/2020 9:43 AMIt absolutely rings true for me. I grew up spending much of my time outside -- climbing hills, sitting in trees, watching critters. Understanding and appreciating the natural world is vital to a larger world view and comprehension of the fragility of our ecosystem.
The implications of a society (nationally and globally) that is increasingly disconnected from our habitat are huge and happening NOW. Short-sighted, profit driven actions are depleting natural resources and changing the climate.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONForests Explore My AreaHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?
Katy Simmons 4/30/2020 9:32 AMSpending time outside connects you to your environment -- you get to know your surroundings better and care more about your local environment and your neighbors.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWildlife Research Benefits of BiodiversityHow can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?
Katy Simmons 4/30/2020 9:19 AMPlant a variety of native plants to support pollinators. Refrain from using chemical pesticides and herbicides. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWildlife Research a Wild AnimalWhat interesting facts did you learn about the animal you researched? What are some of your favorite things about this animal?
Katy Simmons 4/30/2020 8:37 AMI knew that cuttlefish camouflage in the same way that octopus do, but I did not know that they are colorblind! Their eyes are highly developed with a "W" shaped pupil that can control the intensity of light entering the eye.
Cuttlefish have 8 arms and 2 tentacles and emit ink clouds to escape predators. The cells that control the color of the skin are called chromatophores.