Thomas Manning
7/15/2020 3:50 PM
I am grateful for the streams, lakes and rivers near me, and the fish, snakes, and amphibians that inhabit them.
Thomas Manning
Young Environmental Stewards Conference - Washington College
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 372 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO6.0conversationswith people
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UP TO140gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO10meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO300minutesspent exercising
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UP TO35minutesspent learning
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UP TO1,260minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO120minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO480minutesnot spent in front of a screen
Thomas's actions
Community
Talk To My Friends and Classmates
I will decide which social or environmental issue in my community is most important to me and tell 2 friends and/or classmates each day about the issue.
Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
Energy
Learn About Renewable Energy
I will spend 10 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.
Health
Happiness
I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.
Health
Support Pollution Reduction
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.
Simplicity
Meditate
I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 10 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.
Nature
Keep a Nature Journal
I will journal each day about my experiences in nature.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 120 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Nature
Do Nature Activities
I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 120 minute(s) each day. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)
Nature
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Nature
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Keep a Nature JournalWhat natural gifts are you grateful for?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Explore My AreaHow might spending more time outdoors enhance your brainpower?
Thomas Manning 7/15/2020 3:48 PMSpending more time outdoors can enhance brainpower by relieving stress and allowing you to clear your mind so you are more productive and motivated. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Do Nature ActivitiesWhat did you observe while spending time outside -- through sight, sound, smell and/or touch?
Thomas Manning 7/14/2020 7:01 PMI saw ducks, fish, a turtle. I heard the calls of different bird species. I smelled wildflowers. I touched the cool water. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Spend Time OutsideRachel 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?
Thomas Manning 7/14/2020 6:55 PMI believe it is true that we need the natural world for spiritual and emotional development because experiencing the beauty of nature can inspire feelings of gratitude for our surroundings and the god that created them (if you are spiritual), joy, and tranquility. This rings true for me as I feel grateful for life and nature when I see something beautiful outdoors. I also feel calmer and happier when I spend more time outdoors. A culture that spends most of its time indoors will have higher rates of obesity and mental illness because exercising outdoors relieves stress. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth HappinessHow does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?
Thomas Manning 7/13/2020 7:42 AMPracticing gratitude can keep me centered and motivated to work for a better world because it reminds me that there are many people who are not fortunate enough to live in an area that does not suffer from much pollution and has many parks and opportunities for outdoor activities. This realization inspires me to take action to improve the environment and advocate for renewable energy and increased access to outdoor activities and parks in urban areas. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Learn About Renewable EnergyWhat inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Thomas Manning 7/13/2020 7:35 AMI am inspired to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues because I am concerned about climate change and the loss of biodiversity and destruction of ecosystems that accompanies it. If we do not convert to using more renewable energy sources, the impacts of climate change will be far more destructive. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Go for a Daily WalkHow do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?
Thomas Manning 7/10/2020 5:24 PMI notice more aspects of nature when walking around my neighborhood instead of driving such as the different types of trees and plants in my neighbors' yards.