Lori Withee
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 717 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO340minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO40minutesspent learning
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO38meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Lori's actions
Create Your Own Action
Learn about a local protected wildlife area
I want to learn more about one of the wildlife preserves or protected areas in my own region, and how it was historically founded/organized.
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.
Nature
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Health
Go get a check up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
Nature
Do Nature Activities
I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 10 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.)
Health
Support Pollution Reduction
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.
Energy
Online Energy Audit
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Health
Learn More about Food Deserts
I will spend 15 minutes learning about food deserts and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.
Nature
Support Local Pollinators
At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 15 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.
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 QUESTIONHealth HappinessHow does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?
Lori Withee 10/24/2018 11:33 AMI believe that when we are grateful, and express appreciation for the work that others do, we inspire others to know that what they do matters in this world. This gratitude also reminds us to look for the good in our lives, particularly when we are thankful for the blessings that we have. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Support Local PollinatorsWhy is it important to take care of pollinators?
Lori Withee 10/24/2018 6:16 AMPollinators ensure that our food crops are healthy and productive...without them, many types of crops would not produce at all. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Learn More about Food DesertsWhat are the implications of access to nutritious food for a community?
Lori Withee 10/23/2018 6:55 AMI was surprised to see, using the Food Desert Locator, just how many food deserts are located in Pennsylvania. I was familiar with the food desert effect, but didn't realize how widespread the issue really is. I remember that while watching the "Supersize Me" documentary years ago, the issue was mentioned as being part of the experience of the urban poor as well....with many families having access to very little food beyond what is sold at fast food restaurants. The most hopeful article that I read was this one, which showed some of the ways that better food choices can be brought to poor neighborhoods: https://www.good.is/articles/just-deserts-6-ways-to-bring-good-food-to-poor-neighborhoods . Thanks, Manda Magee, for sharing this article! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Online Energy AuditWhat most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint?
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Lori Withee 10/22/2018 5:07 AMI went to Hawk Mountain this weekend to learn about its history and to see the Raptor Show, fulfilling a dream of mine to get close to a screech owl :-). After hiking there for years, I did actually learn more this time about what inspired its founder to fight for the protection of raptors. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Support Pollution ReductionWhat environmental factors affect human health in your region, and how do they affect it?
Lori Withee 10/18/2018 6:03 AMI didn't realize until I read an article about the effects of acid rain at EPA.gov, that if areas have deep topsoil, the acid rain can be neutralized. Areas of the country, such as the west coast, with less topsoil, are more vulnerable to the acid rain's effects in the soil. I had seen the effects of acid rain while hiking, particularly in Maine, where huge stands of trees have died, but I did learn some new things from this article:
https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects-acid-rain -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Explore My AreaHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?
Lori Withee 10/08/2018 12:59 PMThis weekend, exploring the hiking trails near the Gold Mine Road and unique features such as the Boxcar Rocks out near Jonestown, PA, caused me to remember what a beautiful place Pennsylvania is. There are so many wonderful places to enjoy, and time in nature fills me with gratitude that I live in this state. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsWhat do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than in other places, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How do we start shifting a meat-focused food culture?
Lori Withee 10/05/2018 6:55 AMI find that I feel better if I reduce eating and/or drinking things that come from our friends, the cows :-). So non-dairy milks and a lot less cheese on a daily basis work well for me. Hoping also to reduce the number of times each week that I eat any meat (chicken, pork, etc). -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Go get a check upHow do you practice self care?
Lori Withee 10/03/2018 11:41 AMI made the appointment for my physical today for Black Friday, when our office is closed. Score! :-) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Do Nature ActivitiesWhat did you observe while spending time outside -- through sight, sound, smell and touch?
Lori Withee 10/03/2018 11:31 AMI noticed today on my walk that things are still very green, with not many leaves turning yet, and the air temperature was ideal---cool in the shade and warm, but not hot, in the sunshine. I saw butterflies and lantern flies...welcome and unwelcome creatures! I felt relaxed and ready to get back to work after this walk.