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April 1 - April 30, 2020

DRAWDOWNERS Feed

BACK TO TEAM PAGE

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 Research Benefits of Biodiversity
    How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?

    Grace D'Onofrio's avatar
    Grace D'Onofrio 4/23/2020 11:46 AM
    Becoming informed and educators for endangered species will benefit biodiversity. We must identify the areas where species are suffering and eliminate the risks.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Earth Day Together! Earth Day Action: Share Eco Tips
    What environmentally friendly habit have you most recently implemented? How do you ensure that you are successful in creating or changing a habit?

    Jennifer Chorosevic's avatar
    Jennifer Chorosevic 4/22/2020 8:12 PM
    I shared my laundry habits with my team, but here’s another one: For the longest time I struggle with remembering to bring reusable grocery bags to the store. I even bought fabric bags for produce, but could never remember to take them. Now that my grocery store is a block away, I stash my bags by my apartment door so I always remember to bring them. If I know I need to hit up the store on my way home from work (when that was a thing) I’ll stash a reusable bag in my work backpack. I even bring them to the liquor store (also, 1 block away...)!

    • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
      Meredith Sullivan 4/28/2020 4:54 PM
      This is a tough on for me too. I’ve been carrying a reusable bag in my purse to remind me to be better about not using plastic from stores

  • Jennifer Chorosevic's avatar
    Jennifer Chorosevic 4/22/2020 8:06 PM
    Happy Earth Day everyone! Tonight I am sharing an Earth-Friendly habit I’ve been working on since the LAST Ecochallenge:! 

    Over the last year I have been reflecting on how to reduce my plastic consumption. One way I’m doing this is through my laundry habits. I ditched buying fabric softener and dryer sheets in favor of wool dryer balls and essential oils! I’ve been buying a Seventh Generation detergent that comes in a cardboard-like container, but it’s scentless. It’s been rough living without fresh smelling laundry, so I’m still looking at other plastic-less or carbon neutral detergent options with a little more fragrance.. There are still many areas of my life I’m working on eliminating plastic from (toothpaste, dish detergent, cleaning bottles), but we have to celebrate the little victories 🤗

    • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
      Meredith Sullivan 4/28/2020 4:55 PM
      I love those wool dryer balls and have been using them for years. I haven’t made the move to look for alternate detergents but you’ve peaked my interest 

  • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/21/2020 1:28 PM
    Today being Earth Day and is great chance to revisit what we are doing and how we can improve our daily habits to better support the health of this planet.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife Research Benefits of Biodiversity
    How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?

    Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/21/2020 1:26 PM
    Plant a diverse garden - this will help it be more resistant to pests.  Also flowering trees will attract pollinators which will help the garden.  Perhaps convert part of a grass lawn to be more diverse by using flowers and trees.  Learn more about the 'weeds' growing in the yard as some can deter pests and others are edible.  Buy local fruits and vegetables and visit farmers markets
    .
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Climate Stay on the Ground
    What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

    Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/21/2020 1:18 PM
    More pandemics?  Not so much voluntary but it has allowed me time to do further research and learn more about the country.  I still hope to visit one day!  I learned about the formation of Ha Long Bay which dates back over 500 million years!

  • Jennifer Chorosevic's avatar
    Jennifer Chorosevic 4/20/2020 8:18 PM
    Calling people and being mindful of my water use are the only challenges I can do consistently! I have not been good about motivating myself to learn about local wildlife, but I have learned more about my non-native houseplants...Feeling motivated this week to put my sketchbook to good use and get educated!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Connect While Social Distancing
    How does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?

    Jennifer Chorosevic's avatar
    Jennifer Chorosevic 4/20/2020 8:14 PM
    It’s helpful to talk about how you’re feeling with others. Being alone in my apartment, I don’t interact with anyone and keep many things to myself. Sharing ups and downs with friends and family, and realizing they’re going through some of the same issues, reminds me I’m not alone, and it relieves any anxieties or fears I/we have. I’m very thankful to live in a time (and society) where we are able to be so connected! 

    • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
      Meredith Sullivan 4/21/2020 1:29 PM
      I think we are all realizing this more than ever.  Human connections are so important to our survival!

  • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/14/2020 6:31 AM
    I missed checking in for a few days.  Need to get back on track :-)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Oceans Smart Seafood Choices
    Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

    Jennifer Chorosevic's avatar
    Jennifer Chorosevic 4/13/2020 7:44 PM
    I did not know MDE outlines what types of fish in our area are acceptable to eat AND prescribe amounts! I don’t buy much seafood, but I’m excited to use this app the next time I buy salmon...although I don’t have much confidence in the sustainable sourcing of my local supermarket’s fish selection!