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April 1 - April 30, 2021
Kari Wouk's avatar

Kari Wouk

ECO-NCMNS

"My mission is to alter my behavior to positively affect the planet in ways that are sustainable for my lifestyle and that I can continue even after the challenge!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 704 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    86
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    150
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    260
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    20
    minutes
    being mindful

Kari's actions

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 25 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY 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 7
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 29
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.

COMPLETED
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:

COMPLETED
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 6
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.

COMPLETED
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 1
DAILY ACTION

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
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.

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?


  • Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 4/30/2021 2:04 PM
    Awesome job, everyone!  This has been so fun!  We are going to keep going with monthly challenges, so stay tuned!  May will be native plant and pollinator gardening :).

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Learn More About Geothermal Energy
    Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?

    Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 4/30/2021 1:51 PM
    I had never heard of home geothermal systems, so I was excited to learn about that!  My house is in the woods, so solar is not an option for me.  Maybe when the heat/AC needs to be replaced, we can replace with geothermal instead!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Learn More about Biomass
    Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!

    Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 4/30/2021 1:43 PM
    I have heard of biomass and had a very negative view of it, like Europe importing wood pellets from NC.  Some of what I read changed my mind a bit...like using coffee grounds or other organic waste.  Other things I read alarmed me, like cutting down dead trees to use for fuel.  Still not a big fan.

  • Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 4/15/2021 11:00 AM
    I can't believe we are already halfway through!  I've been so happy to work outside on the back deck with this gorgeous weather we've been having. 
    Meet what Hugo is calling "our new intern!"
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Hang Laundry Outside to Dry
    Did you see anything in nature while you were hanging your laundry?

    Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 4/09/2021 12:14 PM
    My clothes line is right by my bird feeder, so I saw tons of birds!  I also saw the wrens building a nest in the chicken coop, so got to stop that before they got too far!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Sinks Explore My Area
    How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?

    Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 4/06/2021 2:37 PM
    I explored the woods behind my house and found a crayfish under some bark!  How cool is that?!

    • Nancy Locquet Absillis's avatar
      Nancy Locquet Absillis 4/23/2021 12:58 PM
      Wish we had a picture of that one! Could be your second intern for the summer...one that doesn't change in a butterfly.

  • Kari Wouk's avatar
    Kari Wouk 3/31/2021 10:50 AM
    Welcome, everyone!  I'm so excited to get this challenge kicked off tomorrow!  Go Team Volunteers!