Emily Katzin

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 40 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

When adding a new appliance, I will choose an efficient or EnergyStar certified product.

I will upgrade my vehicle to an electric or more fuel efficient vehicle.

I will plant 2 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions, and opting out of junk mail.

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.