Mary Lou Nicholson

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 4 friends, family and/or colleagues.

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

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

I will spend at least 10 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

I will source 70 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.

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

I will contact 3 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.