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April 1 - April 30, 2021
Ann Ganter's avatar

Ann Ganter

High Meadow Hudson Valley

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 520 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    378
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    20
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    37
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    429
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    45
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    378
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched

Ann's actions

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

Onshore Wind Turbines, Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Advocate for Solar Installation

Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Advocate For Greener Vehicles

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Efficient Trucks

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Support Local Food Systems

Plant-Rich Diets

I will source 25 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 21
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

Electricity

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

Methane Digesters

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Tend A Garden

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

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Use Muscle Power

Multiple Transportation Solutions

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Conduct Virtual Meetings

Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Choose Better Wood Products

Forest Protection

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Local Perennial Biomass

Perennial Biomass Production

I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
    Dependable fresh food, supporting local farmers and building resilient communities are just a few benefits of local food systems. Which of these (or other) advantages inspire you the most?

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/18/2021 4:23 AM
    Resilient communities can weather anything!  look at what happened during the pandemic this year.  Our local CSAs, production farms and local farm business have stayed alive and open.  We need to continue the fight for fair housing, health needs and growing possibilities.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
    How does advocating for rooftop solar connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/18/2021 4:20 AM
    Rooftop solar has become available to most homeowners here in the New York state.  It is the easiest way to get away from brown energy that is known to pollute.  New York and Central Hudson have also encourage solar farms that we can purchase directly from if we don't have the infrastructure for roof top.  High Meadow's electricity is supplied from a local farm!

    • Gian Ascione's avatar
      Gian Ascione 4/19/2021 4:02 PM
      And a huge thanks to all who made that happen! Way to walk the walk, HMS!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/14/2021 11:38 AM
    Slow down!!  taking time to appreciate my food and the people I'm with.  Makes me a happier person.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Climate Resilience
    Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/14/2021 11:36 AM
    When I was 14 I experienced a survival trip in the British virgin islands for a month.  Living each day on the land, from the land and with the people was so profound to my perspective of how we live.  Take time to be quiet, listen to your surroundings, slow down and feel immense appreciation.  I wish that for everyone.

  • Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/14/2021 11:19 AM
    I learned about Biogass projects at University's are researching for alternative fuel and fertilizer sources.  Research is where we find alternatives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity
    What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/14/2021 11:10 AM
    Sourcing our needs closer to home.  Producing electricity locally, gathering foods within our seasons and when they are abundant, supporting our locals to work closer to home.  Working closer with our local governments to create this vision.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
    How does advocating for green vehicles in your community connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to fuel-efficient vehicles?

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/01/2021 10:27 AM
    It starts with me!  little steps to educate myself on renewables and how our vehicles become cost effective in today's market.  It is happening!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
    Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

    Ann Ganter's avatar
    Ann Ganter 4/01/2021 10:25 AM
    At school, we have worked diligently over the years to bring down our energy usage.  LED lights, motion sensors and signing up for local solar farm green supply of energy.