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Aneka Sweeney's avatar

Aneka Sweeney

Whatcom Conservation District

"Inspire the next generation of conservation stewards."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 718 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    11
    bags of litter
    collected
  • UP TO
    14
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    10
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    28
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    24
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    14
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    public official or leader
    contacted

Aneka's actions

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to landfills by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream, and downstream in Puget Sound and/or the Pacific Ocean, by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Contact my elected officials

If in Washington, I will contact my elected officials to communicate the need to create an annual Orca Protection Endorsement for all recreational boaters in Puget Sound, ensuring boaters are educated on limiting their Orca impacts

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Food Deserts

I will spend 5 minutes learning about food deserts and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh Puget Sound food in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Meet My Local Farmers

I will visit my nearest Puget Sound farm to learn about locally produced food and the quality of life of all involved in producing it to make better choices for Puget Sound when I shop.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Pick up Trash

I will pick up and properly dispose of litter on a daily walk through my neighborhood, since stormwater will otherwise carry it to the Puget Sound and/or the Pacific Ocean.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate, so long term, it stays out of the Puget Sound and/or the Pacific Ocean.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our Puget Sound and/or Pacific Ocean waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 14
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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Skip the Straw
    How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

    Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 11/05/2020 1:57 PM
    I love love love teaching my son that some of our waste can be reused!!  often times for crafts, but it is still teaching him to consider before throwing away.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Use a Reusable Mug
    Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

    Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 11/05/2020 1:39 PM
    During Covid and working from home this has been so much easier as I am not traveling as much.  But covid has also pressured retailers to not allow refillable mugs (or re-useable bags).  This solidified my behavior
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Contact my elected officials
    How can you spread your affinity for boating and paddling, whilst supporting the natural resource you rely on for that enjoyment? What are laws for, if not to protect those without a voting voice?

    Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 11/04/2020 1:03 PM
    I am a boater, and love to see wildlife, most boaters do, there is a balance. I have taught my son that we are just visitors in their home, we must leave no trace.  That includes noise pollution.  I signed the petition and shared this link with friends also.  http://chng.it/HnbcXnyb9Q.  

  • Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/29/2020 10:04 AM
    I noticed the last two times I have been at the Cordata park pump track, right where folks gather to wait, and drop in, there is no trash can.  So there are plastic bottles and candy wrappers everywhere.  I have picked up a bag full the last few times I have been there.  So today, I saw one of the park staff and recommended they bring the trash can closer to the drop in area.  They were very receptive and he started dragging one up there!!  I feel like that is a success.

  • Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/19/2020 9:34 AM
    I went hiking in the Chuckanut mountains this weekend.  There were so many visitors enjoying nature, but then leaving wrappers or dog poop bags along the trail.  Bringing a small bag and hand sanitizer with me, always, makes a big difference to ensure I have a place to keep the trash and stay safe.  When my hiking partners see me, and my son, pick up trash, then they start doing it as well!!  Lead by example
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Meet My Local Farmers
    When you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? Do you think this might enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?

    Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/19/2020 9:29 AM
    Visiting the farm that sells meat at my little local market was a great experience for my family.  Connecting sustainable farm practices with nutritious healthy food is vital for us as a society.  And meeting the animals that will later be on our dinner table is a huge learning experience for anyone that eats meat.  

  • Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/13/2020 9:44 AM
    So happy that my son is passionate about collecting trash!  What a great steward!

  • Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/13/2020 9:42 AM
    We went to Alluvial Farms, met the local farmer, bought pumpkins, some sausage and gift certificates for friends.

  • Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/08/2020 3:00 PM
    Picked up a bag of trash at Whatcom Falls Park yesterday.  Bought gift certificate from a local pork farm today!!

  • Aneka Sweeney's avatar
    Aneka Sweeney 10/05/2020 3:44 PM
    This was from the weekend, but my son, dog, and I went to Locust Beach and picked up a whole 5 gallon bucket of trash!!  Amazing how many people enjoy beautiful places, then leave trash there.  Going at a lower tide lets you find more at the high tide line.