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Eva VanAtta's avatar

Eva VanAtta

The Geese

"I want to become more aware of the environmental consequences of my daily actions and be more mindful of where my money goes."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 520 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    6.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    8.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    2,890
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    285
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    20
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    4.0
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Eva's actions

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

ATTEND CLOSING KEYNOTE

I will attend the closing keynote lecture given by David Orr.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

LOWER YOUR WATER "FOODPRINT"

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

DISCONNECT FROM EMAIL

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

ATTEND PLENARY ADDRESS

I will attend the keynote address from Francisco Piyãko and Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

SHOP WOMEN-OWNED

I will shop from women-owned businesses today.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

BUY FROM A FARMERS MARKET

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

LEARN ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN RICHMOND

I will spend 30 minutes learning about environmental justice issues in Richmond.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

SUPPORT NATIVE COMMUNITIES

I will use the resource links and spend 30 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

TALK TO MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ABOUT ECOCHALLENGE

I will tell friends and/or colleagues about the Ecochallenge and share information about how to get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

HELP OTHERS

I will offer to help person(s) who are in need each day.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

TURN IT OFF

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

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

SMART LAUNDRY

I will conserve water and energy by only doing full loads of laundry in cold water.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

REGISTER FOR A ROUNDTABLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

I will attend a roundtable hosted by global experts and UR community members.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

GO ON MINDFUL SELF-GUIDED TOUR

I will visit the Eco-Corridor for a self-guided tour between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to slow down, destress, and engage in mindfulness stations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

THE TRUTH ABOUT EXPIRATION DATES

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

PLAN YOUR MEALS

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, and only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

REDUCE SEAFOOD INTAKE AND EAT SMART SEAFOOD

I will make responsible and sustainable seafood choices.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

EAT LOCAL

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

SMART LAUNDRY

I will conserve water and energy by only doing full loads of laundry in cold water.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

TOUR THE ECO-CORRIDOR

I will attend a tour of the Eco-Corridor from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to learn about Abby's Garden and the restored stream bed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

GO MEATLESS

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

REGISTER FOR A ROUNDTABLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

I will attend a roundtable hosted by global experts and UR community members.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

ATTEND INTERNATIONAL DINNER

I will attend the International Dinner at Heilman Dining Hall.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

ATTEND THE LOCAL - GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY FAIR

I will attend the Local-Global Sustainability Fair at Tyler Haynes Commons.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

LOCAL INDIGENOUS PRACTICES

I will take 60 minutes to learn how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

ENJOY THE SUNRISE/SUNSET

I will enjoy the sunrise and sunset.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

GO FOR A DAILY WALK

I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

PRACTICE GRATITUDE FOR EARTH

I will spend 30 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

EXPLORE MY AREA

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

SPEND TIME OUTSIDE

I will replace 60 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

SUPPORT LOCAL POLLINATORS

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 30 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

TOUR THE ECO-CORRIDOR

I will attend a tour of the Eco-Corridor from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. to learn more about biodiversity and native species on our campus by utilizing the app iNaturalist.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

LEARN ABOUT & PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE FASHION

I will spend 30 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

PICK UP LITTER

I will pick up litter on-campus or in Richmond for ___ minutes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

GO PAPERLESS

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

VISIT REFILL STORE

I will visit a local refill store to fill up on bulk items and reduce purchasing of plastic.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

ZERO-WASTE COOKING

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

VISIT THE SPIDER EXCHANGE

I will visit the on-campus "free store", known as the Spider Exchange, to donate unneeded items or "shop" for free from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spider Exchange is located at 24D New Frat Row.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

REDUCE SINGLE-USE DISPOSABLES

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate and divert waste from the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

REUSABLE BOTTLES AND MUGS

I will avoid sending 6 disposable beverage containers to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or water bottle.

COMPLETED 4
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?


  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/17/2023 1:34 PM
    What an amazing week this has been! I cannot wait to carry these sustainable practices into my daily life after this.

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/16/2023 2:30 PM
    David Orr's talk this morning was so inspiring, I am so lucky I got my book signed by him!

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/16/2023 2:28 PM
    "It makes far better sense to reshape ourselves to fit a finite planet than to attempt to reshape the planet to fit our infinite wants" - David Orr. One of my favorite quotes from his book "Earth in Mind".

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/16/2023 2:27 PM
    The International Fair yesterday was one of my favorite events of the week, I loved seeing people from all different parts of campus coming together for one common goal. Roll Spides! Sustainable living rocks!

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/15/2023 7:55 AM
    Going to the Lakeside Farmer's Market this morning was such a fulfilling start to my day--can't wait to make soup tomorrow with the veggies I got!

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/14/2023 1:30 PM
    The Eco-Corridor had such fun and mindful activities set up today, and I heard a rumor they are gonna be up all week! :D They also added some new hammocks by the creek so you can hear some peaceful water sounds as you relax.

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/14/2023 1:28 PM
    Putting in more of an effort to help out my friends this week has been such a blast. Can't wait to carry on these good deeds outside of the Eco-Challenge!

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/14/2023 7:49 AM
    The plenary address this morning was so inspiring. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such wise and knowledgable people.

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/14/2023 7:34 AM
    So happy I was able to encourage so many of my friends to join the Eco-Challenge! Talking about my passion for sustainability with people I care about has made my week :)

  • Eva VanAtta's avatar
    Eva VanAtta 11/13/2023 6:58 AM
    I just did a full load of laundry in cold water, such an easy change to be more environmentally friendly!