Mary Rupnik

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

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Earth Month Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

I will contact 2 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.

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

I will spend at least 120 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and BIPOC-majority neighborhoods. I will avoid buying and using 5 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

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

I will take a walk for 120 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will commute by carpool 10 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will commute by bike 10 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

Rigaud Mountain is an expansive natural resource that we rely upon to run many of our Outdoor Education courses, here at JAC. It is under extreme pressure from development and mismanagement, and in desperate need of protection. Facing COVID and the Climate Crisis, the need to protect our few remaining local intact forests, is more stronger than ever. We need them, for our health and wellness, and they are disappearing. If you are able, please support this important cause and take a few moments to forward this letter to others who understand its importance. The petition and funding pages are accessible through the "Learn More" button.

I will cut green house gas emissions related to my commute to John Abbott College on Earth day, April 22. I will only use muscle-powered transportation (walk, bike, skateboard) for my commute.