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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Zak Toledo's avatar

Zak Toledo

Murraysmith

"Celebrate interfaces - tidepools, shorelines, riparian zones"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 555 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    79
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    132
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    34
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    40
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1,229
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    1,169
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen

Zak's actions

Fresh Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Oceans

Learn about Our Oceans

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about how our oceans support life on Earth by producing oxygen, regulating climate, and providing habitat, food, and jobs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Oceans

Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

People

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 3 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

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

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?


  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/16/2020 8:57 AM
    The weather in the Willamette Valley has provided wonderful opportunities to connect with nature. Last night, saw a lone bat eating insects in our neighborhood park.

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/13/2020 7:58 AM
    I removed at least 100 square feet of invasive, non-native plants today.

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/13/2020 7:56 AM
    "Nature bathe" from your car as you drive through a National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/13/2020 7:55 AM

    Believe in the future - plant a garden!

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/09/2020 11:26 AM
    Yesterday in the park next to our home, my wife and I saw a parent hummingbird feed it's two fluffy chicks. Later I took my son to the same shrub and we saw them. That's motivation to get outside! Birds are in vibrant colors right now, singing their hearts out, and active with nest-building and tending to their young ones.

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/09/2020 11:21 AM
    Learning about all the foods you only need to buy once (and can regrow from the first purchase). Leeks, green onions, celery, basil, oh my!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Fresh Water Conserve Toilet Water
    What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

    Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/06/2020 5:04 PM
    A sustainable water future needs to include a resilient water infrastructure. Individually, it's about use and promoting on-site infiltration at our homes. As a community, it's about selecting products that reflect our environment - such as native plants. This should include the products that are manufactured here too (like beer and cider) - how can they be provided with minimal water footprint?

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/06/2020 4:59 PM
    Getting my compost pile going with coffee grounds (and unbleached filters), banana peels, and other food waste. About two liters heading to the yard instead of the landfill.

    • Zak Toledo's avatar
      Zak Toledo 4/09/2020 11:24 AM
      From what I can tell, it's all about the mix of "green and brown". I haven't composted in about 15 years, so I'm relearning. I used to have many leaves for the brown, now I'm using newspaper and twigs. 

      I watched a video of a "home gardener" who directly applies some in his garden bed. Digs a 8-inch trench, places the banana peels, coffee grounds, etc., then buries. Within a few weeks, it's gone.

    • Elisheva Walters's avatar
      Elisheva Walters 4/07/2020 4:02 PM
      How long does it take your pile to turn into usable garden compost? I've had mine for a couple years, and I suspect it is too chunky, and too many wood/yard waste products, to break down quickly.

  • Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/05/2020 10:03 AM
    The weather is cooperating - and with the birds singing their hearts out, there's no reason not to walk in a park!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Fresh Water Dishwasher Efficiency
    How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?

    Zak Toledo's avatar
    Zak Toledo 4/03/2020 2:56 PM
    Planting with native vegetation. Low-flow faucets and toilets. Smart irrigation. Lose the lawn. Gray water (rooftop) collection for irrigation. So many options!