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Samantha G's avatar

Samantha G

Sustainable UFV

"The autumn chill that wakes me up, I love the amber skies so much"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 2,000 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    84
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1,120
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    55
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    13
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    450
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1,885
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    91
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    2.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    5.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    2.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    357
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    155
    minutes
    spent learning

Samantha's actions

Health

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Leave No Trace

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 5 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gal (56 L) of water a day or 450 gal (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Join An Outdoor Project

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .42 lbs (.19 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 45 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products

I will spend 30 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Launch a Recycling Program

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

I will limit my social media use to once each day reducing my daily use by 30 minute(s)

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Engage In Active Listening

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 3 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Host A Watch Party

I will host a watch party to screen a documentary about an issue that matters to me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Use an Energy Meter

I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Joyful Movement

I will spend 20 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Reduce refined sugar

I will keep track and reduce my consumption of refined sugars, including sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 15 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 31
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?


  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/31/2024 9:31 AM
    Wow! It's the final day of our challenge! I think we've had an amazing impact - so great to see so many UFV folks participating! Go team! 🎉🥳

    • Korina Gratton's avatar
      Korina Gratton 10/31/2024 1:29 PM
      UFV is such an awesome team! It would be nice to have mini teams within the whole UFV team, so we could see how different departments do

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/30/2024 9:09 AM
    The sun is starting to rise later and later, which means that I'm getting to work either as the sun is rising, or just before. I looked out the window and I managed to catch part of the sunrise through the trees this morning - the colours were spectacular!

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/29/2024 8:55 AM
    Looks like decent fall weather today! Planning on going for a walk later to take advantage of the weather while it's still nice!

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/28/2024 3:01 PM
    Yesterday I made applesauce from all of the bruised and older apples that I didn't want to eat that I had sitting in my fridge. The applesauce turned out delicious, and it turned out to be a bigger batch than I expected! 🍎

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/27/2024 9:39 AM
    I can't believe how fast this challenge has gone, and how fast October has flown by! Hard to believe that November is on Friday!

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/25/2024 9:32 AM
    It's sweater weather AND scarf weather today! 🧣 Crisp and windy! 🍂 Might be time to bring out my gloves and toque!

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/24/2024 10:19 AM
    Went for a walk with my colleague yesterday after a few weeks of not going together (we always try to a couple times a week). It was nice that our schedules finally aligned! While it's nice to walk alone, it's always much nicer with someone else (and you can keep a better pace with someone else too)!!

    • Ashley Hunter's avatar
      Ashley Hunter 10/25/2024 9:13 AM
      Sometimes my colleagues and I will have a meeting to discuss things upcoming, and instead of sitting in a board room, we will go for a walk around campus. It kills two birds with one stone, and gets more accomplished

    • Korina Gratton's avatar
      Korina Gratton 10/24/2024 1:22 PM
      It's always nice to spend time with a colleague! And finding time to also spend time outside or exercise is bonus.

    • Micaela Gates's avatar
      Micaela Gates 10/24/2024 10:56 AM
      That sounds like such a lovely way to bond and spend some time outside!

  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/23/2024 8:55 AM
    Walked to work this morning! It's getting cooler in the mornings now, so the walk in was refreshing! Planning on talking a walk sometime later today, and then walking home. Getting exercise and getting outside!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Audit Toxic Cleaning Products
    To what extent do environmental factors contribute to your own health or issues with health?

    Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/22/2024 9:10 AM
    I think there are so many different factors that affect everyone differently. I've noticed that bright lighting and staring at a computer screen is starting to affect me - I use the night light filters on my computer, keep rooms dark/wear sunglasses when I'm outside. I also notice that air quality can bother me, especially during forest fire season, but also vape/cigarette smoke, and really strong cologne/fragrances are especially bothersome.

    • Korina Gratton's avatar
      Korina Gratton 10/23/2024 2:55 PM
      I also have my computer (and phone) set to dark mode. But then I get blinded the few times I have to switch back to regular mode. How are you dealing with the strong scents?


  • Samantha G's avatar
    Samantha G 10/22/2024 8:47 AM
    After several days of rain, the sun has made an appearance! 🌤️ Planning on getting outside today to enjoy it while it's here!