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Kayla James's avatar

Kayla James

Heartland College Fall 2020 EASC111

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 886 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    327
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    81
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    2,281
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    29
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    1,585
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen

Kayla's actions

Nature

Keep a Nature Journal

I will journal each day about my experiences in nature.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Launch a Recycling Program

I will start a recycling program at my workplace, dorm, or elsewhere on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 29
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?


  • Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/02/2020 9:45 PM
    Day 2, I am still enjoying the outdoors and drinking lots of tap water. This week the weather is supposed to be nice, I am hoping the weather stays nice during November so these tasks I have chosen are easy and enjoyful. Now if only I could remember to do these journals before 11:30 at night, but one goal at a time!

  • Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:47 PM
    I chose more simple tasks due to COVID and restrictions to what I felt like I could safely do in the community, but it was really cool to know that I completed my first day of changing the world. Not only was I spending more time with nature but I was spending more time with me and less with technology surrounding me. I think this will be a great project and will really start to make a change. It only takes me changing my lifestyle to get others into it, it will hopefully have a chain reaction with my family and this will be how change will happen!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Compost Food Waste
    New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?

    Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:44 PM
    I didn't do much into this one today, I throw my banana peel and apple core outside in some dirt away from where animals will get it to decompose. I still need to do more research into the topic to see how far it expands.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Spend Time Outside
    Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

    Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:39 PM
    I believe people that spend a lot of time outside are probably very happy people because they worry about less technology stuff. It is very common that people are stuck to their phone and devices, I think if we spend more time outside we could be more relaxed and happy with what we have around us. I personally found myself easily distracted doing my homework outside but when I helped my mom with some yard work, it was calming and very nice.

    • Janet  Beach Davis's avatar
      Janet Beach Davis 11/12/2020 2:51 PM
      Sometimes taking a break from technology can really help us refocus on what is important- our families, our heath, and what we really need to be happy. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Launch a Recycling Program
    How might thinking creatively help us address big systems problems differently?

    Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:37 PM
    I think this could be a great use for motivation. When I was in elementary school we had signs that talked about how our recycled cartons helped make this bench, and I think stuff like this would be great. Actually showing people what recycling could do and what we get out could make it motivating for people to do it. Not only that but it could be a game or competition as well. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle
    While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

    Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:33 PM
    I am guilty of using plastic water bottles, I keep a pack in the car because it is more convenient. I forgot to fill up my water bottle before I leave, and if I do fill it up I usually forget it on the counter. Today I carried around my pink water bottle and filled it up two times. This isn't only a goal for me to not use water bottles put to worth to myself to drink more water. I am going to change the world while changing myself. This is hopefully going to make it a permanent habit so that I am not hurting the earth and spending so much money.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
    Father Thomas Berry says, "... our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." What is your response to Berry's assertion?

    Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:29 PM
    When I was outside enjoying the sunset, since it is early now, I wasn't thinking about how it could be related to a celebration. I will now think of how amazing it is what the world does and what I got out of the day to celebrate that. Little accomplishments are accomplishments too, it is my goal for tomorrow to feel more connected with the universe during the sunset/ sunrise.

    • Janet  Beach Davis's avatar
      Janet Beach Davis 11/09/2020 1:47 PM
      Sometimes just taking a minute to see what is always there reminds us of the beauty of our planet, and our place on it. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Keep a Nature Journal
    What natural gifts are you grateful for?

    Kayla James's avatar
    Kayla James 11/01/2020 7:27 PM
    I am grateful for the sun that keeps us warm on very windy days and the beauty that world provides us with all the fall colors. It is amazing what the plants and animals do to prepare for winter, it is a sight to see and i'm grateful just to watch.