Ann Snow

Columbia Bank

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
595 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

4.0

water collection systems

installed
UP TO

682

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

857

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched

Ann's actions

Simplicity

De-Clutter My Home

Do at Home

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Collect Rain Water

Do at Home

I will create a rain garden or bioswale or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Go for a Daily Walk Outside

Do at Home

I will take a walk outside for 10 minutes each day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Turn It Off

Do at Home

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

Do at Home

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Leave No Trace

Do at Home

I will practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Healthy Sleep

Do at Home

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 15 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Nature

Educator Stephanie Kaza advises her students to focus on what they care about most when addressing the enormity of ecological problems. Is there a specific area you feel particularly called to work on?
Ann Snow 10/27/2021 9:10 AM
The prevalence of plastic in our daily lives that ends up in the trash (also typically contained in plastic bags) is appalling. When I think about the amount of plastic that is being created and discarded daily it makes me very sad. I am actively working on reducing plastic use, as well as reusing the plastic I do have as much as possible in hopes of impacting global plastic use in even a small way.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity

Fresh air and movement are good for our entire being and can help us think more clearly and creatively. How does taking a walk each day affect yourself and/or your work?
Ann Snow 10/27/2021 9:06 AM
Every time I get outside I feel more free, more alive, more in touch with the world around me. It takes deliberate action on my part to get out of the door, especially on days that are not sunny, but I always feel so much better afterward, so I want to focus on that feeling to keep myself motivated to get outside more.

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Ann Snow 10/27/2021 9:04 AM
As usual, I have been made more aware of the impact my actions have on the world both at the local level as well as more globally. Even the small things matter. And it all starts with being aware. We have to take the time to slow down enough to be present and really see, feel, hear, smell, taste our current environment, circumstances, and food choices to fully comprehend the differences our new choices and actions make.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more things in the future?
Ann Snow 10/25/2021 8:52 AM
Before I buy anything I need to ask myself whether I really NEED the item or if I simply WANT the item, and evaluate the impact it will have on not only my finances, but also the environment and the health and wellbeing of others.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

How does food sovereignty address the complex transition from localized food systems to modern global food systems?
Ann Snow 10/25/2021 8:48 AM
I never realized the impact that buying local - like at Farmer's Markets - versus buying at the grocery store has not only on the economy, but on the environment as well as on the nutritional content of the food, Need to Grow (the movie we watched) deeply impacted me and my sons who watched it with me. We will definitely make changes to how and where we spend our money.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy

How is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?
Ann Snow 10/20/2021 10:24 AM
Puget Sound Energy sources energy from 31% Natural Gas, Hydro 23%, Coal 35%, Wind 9%, and 2% other. They are actively working toward more solar energy sourcing. I am committed to doing my part by reducing my energy consumption as much as possible.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Trace the water that flows down the drain from your house to the largest body of water nearby. What is the route it takes?
Ann Snow 10/14/2021 1:03 PM
This took a bit of digging, but is good stuff to know! Makes me even more aware of the need to use cleaning methods that do not harm the environment (versus the chemical-laden commercial options).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?
Ann Snow 10/08/2021 11:40 AM
I am actively working on this, using blue & green blocking glasses at night, getting at least 10 minutes of sunlight within 30 minutes of waking, no caffeine after 2pm, stopping all food intake after 7pm, using scientifically proven methods to strengthen my circadian rhythm to provide the best quality of restorative sleep in sufficient quantities for my body.

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Ann Snow 10/08/2021 11:23 AM
This is my 3rd year to participate in the EcoChallenge and each year I continue to make lasting improvements to my life, health, and environment all while encouraging others to do the same. Alone we are merely a drop in a bucket, but together we are a waterfall!

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Ann Snow 9/17/2021 9:55 AM
Excited the EcoChallenge is happening again! :-)

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