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October 2 - October 23, 2019
Scott Benson's avatar

Scott Benson

Columbia Bank

"Cleaning up the streets. One thug at a time."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,207 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    240
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    630
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    1.0
    locally sourced meal
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    600
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    631
    minutes
    spent outdoors

Scott's actions

Energy

Online Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Healthy Sleep

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 30 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend 30 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Research My Investment Portfolio

I will find out what stocks and bonds are in my investment account portfolio to determine if they align with my values (e.g. environmental, social responsibility, community).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

De-Clutter My Home

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Research Impact Investing

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and determine if it is right for me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Forage for My Food

I will use the 'Learn More' resources below to find where I can forage for my own food locally.

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?


  • Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/23/2019 3:58 PM
    Final day for the ecochallenge. Another fun year and I plan to keep up with my daily tasks throughout the year.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Online Energy Audit
    What most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint?

    Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/22/2019 9:11 AM
    We keep our house cool in the winter and warmer in the summer, as well as try to keep devices unplugged unless needed.  The surprise from the audit was the cost savings from upgrading our water heater. I would also like to install solar panels on the house at some point in the future.

  • Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/18/2019 8:33 AM
    When mulching our plants I added used coffee grounds and egg shells to turn the soil a bit more acidic as I've noticed a few slug slime trails on the tops of my flowers.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
    Where are your nearest natural bodies of water? How might they be affected by runoff?

    Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/15/2019 8:19 AM
    There area a few lakes near me, with varying degrees of clean water. They can be polluted by runoff from local houses and people dumping chemical waste in them. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home
    To what extent do you believe that environmental factors contribute to your own health or issues with health?

    Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/13/2019 5:22 AM
    I've been more prone to sickness in a house that holds in moisture than my current place. Clean air and windows that allow in a lot of sunlight help.

  • Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/12/2019 6:50 AM
    Final day of my hike through the Natchez Trace today. After the final 6 miles, I'll have walked over 40 miles in 6 days.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Eco-friendly Gardening
    What are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.

    Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/12/2019 6:49 AM
    I believe pollution is the largest concern. Living in a rainforest in the Pacific Northwest is nice.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Research Impact Investing
    How might impact investing help you better live your values?

    Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/10/2019 5:07 AM
    Investing in a local nonprofit that promotes something that aligns with my ideals would help my community and I would be able to physically see the impact my investments have.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Buy From a Farmers Market
    What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?

    Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/09/2019 5:58 AM
    Eating less meat and more vegetables would help. I try to have at least one completely meatless day each week.

  • Scott Benson's avatar
    Scott Benson 10/08/2019 5:50 AM
    Getting to bed at 8pm while camping definitely helps with my extra sleep goal.