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April 1 - April 30, 2021
NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar

NCMNS Teen Programs

ECO-NCMNS

"We want to get folks excited about conservation. Join us! "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 586 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    20
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    46
    minutes
    being mindful

NCMNS Teen's actions

Electricity

Hang Laundry Outside to Dry

I will hand one load of laundry a week outside to dry instead of using the dryer.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Participate in one of the NCMNS Earth Day programs on April 22nd.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has prepared an Earth Week event starting from April 20th to April 25th. To celebrate Earth Day, participate in 1 program on April 22nd and write a short reflection in your feed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting with black soldier grubs

Learn about NC's native Diptera that has one of the widest digestive enzyme profiles, allowing for digestion of virtually all human food waste in one to two days: pre-and post-consumer; cooked, raw, or spoiled. Sign up for this workshop and discuss with your team members:

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 4 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Tend A Garden

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Farm Irrigation Efficiency

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

UNCOMPLETED
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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Sinks Plant Trees
    How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/30/2021 1:30 PM
    I recently attended an information session with the Teen Climate Ambassadors about Urban Heat Island effect and green space is so important in residential areas of all kinds. It provides positive mental and physical health effects for everyone. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Hang Laundry Outside to Dry
    Did you see anything in nature while you were hanging your laundry?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/30/2021 1:27 PM
    I saw a hummingbird at my feeder - very cool!

  • NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/30/2021 1:25 PM
    Kudos to our team! I feel like we were very competitive given the number of people on our team and the number of points we scored. You all rock! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Composting
    Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/30/2021 1:17 PM
    The wasted energy from uneaten food motivates me to maximize what I purchase and use up leftover items. 

  • NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/29/2021 7:28 AM
    This month has flown by! I've enjoyed seeing our teams progress and being a part of this group initiative. Thank you all!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products
    Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/15/2021 12:37 PM
    Meat is a luxury item for most folks and especially if you purchase the organic, "well-cared for" animal products. There are plenty of ways to get good protein sources without eating meat and many people choose to do that for a healthier overall diet. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Choose LED Bulbs
    Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/12/2021 2:03 PM
    We have some major appliances that will need replacing in the near future (heat pump & water heater) and we will be looking for energy efficiency products as part of the selection process. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Smaller Portions
    While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come from eating/serving smaller portions?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/06/2021 10:59 AM
    Being mindful of consumption in all forms is good for our planet. Both serving and eating smaller portions can have health benefits and use less energy in the preparation. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Eat Mindfully
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?

    NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 4/04/2021 11:19 AM
    We are more engaged with family when we eat together without screens and instead play background music. We make more eye contact and have more meaningful conversations. 

  • NCMNS Teen Programs's avatar
    NCMNS Teen Programs 3/30/2021 9:45 AM
    Time sure flies! April is almost here. I'm excited to kick off this eco challenge!