Ecochallenge.org

2019 People's Ecochallenge

October 2 - October 23, 2019

tara heglar

EarthSavers

"My personal mission is to inspire my children with my actions while not forgetting the power of my voice."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
533 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

150

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

75

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

5.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

240

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

6.0

pounds

waste composted
UP TO

375

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

92

pounds of CO2

have been saved

tara's actions

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 30 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Visit a Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 30 minutes visiting a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Meet My Local Farmers

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 15-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Do Nature Activities

I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 30 minute(s) each day. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Upgrade My Windows

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Replace Manual Thermostats

I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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?

tara heglar 10/17/2019 10:07 AM

Anybody else find yourself standing at a checkout line wanting to tell the person in front of you how much trash they are making with all their bags??? Or wanting to grab all the straws at McDonalds and hide them??? #askingforafriend

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Meet My Local Farmers

When you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? Do you think this might enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?

tara heglar 10/14/2019 6:23 AM

This question has great timing. It turns out my local farm could be split in two if the state doesn't change their plan and move a proposed road. It would also mean the farm would have to give up land that it currently uses to produce vegetables and fruits. They would also need to provide a larger setback on either side of the road, further reducing it's side. The next planning meeting is this week and I will now go and speak out against the road. Had I not met the farmers this weekend, I wouldn't have known about this.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

tara heglar 10/08/2019 6:15 AM

Wear a bold pair of shoes with your outfit. Mix up your colors. Borrow a friends jacket. Repurpose the clothes you have by embellishing them. There are tons of ways to spruce up your wardrobe without touching the bank.

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tara heglar 10/07/2019 6:36 AM

Okay, so I just realized that marking a challenge complete does not substitute for "checking in". Bummer!

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tara heglar 10/07/2019 6:34 AM

I'm loving these challenges. My kids are even trying to do things around the house to help me be able to complete them. I LOVE that!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

tara heglar 10/07/2019 6:32 AM

I bought some reusable bags that fold up in a small pouch and they clip to my purse. So if I'm shopping, I always have my bags. Sometimes, like this weekend, I bought a 3 drawer cart so I put my additional purchases in the drawers.

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- Michelle Abbott 10/23/2019 8:09 AM
  
  Tara, Where did you find these clip on reusable bags? They sound great!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Do Nature Activities

What did you observe while spending time outside -- through sight, sound, smell and touch?

tara heglar 10/07/2019 6:19 AM

I found a new hawk's nest on my property (sight). I also discovered a dead animal (smell). And I met a friendly lizard that let me hold him/her (touch).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Spend Time Outside

Rachel 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?

tara heglar 10/07/2019 6:16 AM

I'm a Christian and I see God everywhere when I'm outside. That makes me feel connected with Him constantly. So yes, it rings true for me. I also feel like we can connect to each other better by going outdoors. Those that stay indoors don't get to know their neighbors or their community. And I feel like interacting with my neighbors and community makes me a better person.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?

tara heglar 10/02/2019 9:08 AM

Considering we're currently in a drought, capturing rainwater for essential outdoor use is one way. We can also replace our grass with natural areas. Planting drought-tolerant plants can help too.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

tara heglar 10/02/2019 7:25 AM

For one, I actually get to see and talk to my neighbors. I've also learned that some of my neighbors need help with yard chores and my kids have made a little money here and there helping them. It also just makes you feel good to help. And because my neighbors now personally know me, they help watch my house and property when I'm gone. That makes me feel safer.

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