Ellen Sayles

I will spend 20 minutes learning about zero waste practices and principles in Maori cultures.

I will disconnect from my email when not at school or work.

I will declutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home or dorm room.

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women and trans/nonbinary people in Virginia, communities in poverty, or environmental justice, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

I will use the resource links and spend 20 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

I will attend the "Private Prisons: Lessons from New Zealand" lunch discussion hosted by Lauren-Brooke Eisen from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting at 12:00pm in the School of Law.

I will attend a talk on "Maori Ancestors in Nature and Law: Legal personality of the environment in Aotearoa New Zealand" by University of Otago professor Jacinta Ruru in the International Commons at 4:00pm.

I will read an article on Maori leading sustainable food systems in Aotearoa.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will attend the International Fair celebrating Aotearoa New Zealand in the Alice Haynes Room between 4:30pm-6:00pm.

I will attend the International Education Week keynote presentation "From Ecosanctuaries to Predator-free: Engaging local communities in biodiversity restoration in Aotearoa" by University of Otago professor Philip Seddon. Location: International Center Commons at 2:00pm.

I will eat Kiwiana-inspired recipes at the International Dinner in Heilman Dining Center between 5:00pm-6:00pm.

I will learn about water use in food production and eat less water intensive foods.

I will buy local produce and meats when shopping for groceries.

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) per day.

I will take 15 minutes to learn how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land.

I will take a virtual walk with conservationists to learn about a critically endangered native bird species, the kākāpō.

I will read an article about the influence of Maori knowledge on science research in New Zealand.

I will attend the "Conserving and Restoring Biodiversity: From James River Sturgeon to New Zealand Kiwi" panel at 4:30pm in THC 305.

I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by keeping my showers under 5 minutes.

I will test my knowledge of water by taking the Be A Green Spider Water Quiz on the Office for Sustainability's website.

I will commit to getting 20 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

I will calm my body and mind by doing ten minutes of Maori breathing exercises each day.

I will take a "virtual walk" along New Zealand's Kepler Track.

I will learn about wellbeing initiatives in New Zealand.

I will attend the "Cryptic inbreeding and population structure in New Zealand's rarest kiwi" seminar hosted by Dr. Kristina Ramstad at 12:00pm in Gottwald Auditorium.

I will celebrate the Maori concept of whenua by spending 25 minutes outside to reduce stress, boost my mood, and to enjoy nature.