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April 3 - April 24, 2019
Barbara Ruger's avatar

Barbara Ruger

EcoChallenge Rhinebeck

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. - Psalm 96:11"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,026 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    7.0
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    44
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    20
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1.0
    tree
    planted
  • UP TO
    66
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Barbara's actions

Materials

Become A Master Recycler/Composter

#55 Household Recycling

I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Plant Trees

#15 Afforestation

I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Choose Recycled Paper

#70 Recycled Paper

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

#46 Water Saving - Home

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 7 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

#30 Methane Digesters (large), #64 Methane Digesters (small)

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Recycle Everything I Can

#55 Household Recycling

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Keep Track of Wasted Food

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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?

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

    Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/24/2019 6:45 PM
    The tree that I planted will help to keep our air clean and quite the noise of traffic for peace of mind.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Become A Master Recycler/Composter
    What could you do differently to waste less?

    Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/24/2019 6:43 PM
    I am more conscious of the things that I buy. If it can’t be recycled I don’t need it!

  • Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/23/2019 7:51 AM
    Happy Earth day to all of you young environmentalists!! Keep up the good work!!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
    What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

    Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/19/2019 4:37 AM
    Between individuals, governments and cooperations we all need to work together to clean up our act and use resources and materials that are sustainable, renewable and non toxic.

  • Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/17/2019 3:17 PM
    I had 2 composters so I loaned 1 to a friend and neighbor. Happy to be joining others in the Eco challenge!

  • Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/17/2019 12:09 PM
    I am proud of our Rhinebeck Community for taking on this challenge! 

  • Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/16/2019 5:45 PM
    Happy to be a part of a strong group!!...So far so good 😊 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings and Cities Choose LED Bulbs
    Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

    Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/13/2019 4:03 PM
    I will Mulch my trees and use pond water to water my gardens.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Choose Recycled Paper
    Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?

    Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/13/2019 4:02 PM
    I will read books from the library 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Zero-waste Cooking
    How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?

    Barbara Ruger's avatar
    Barbara Ruger 4/13/2019 4:02 PM
    Black carbon is bad for the environment and bad for your lungs.