I joined this challenge to check my awareness of environmental issues in our PNW region, and to expand my understanding.  Each of us contributes individual action, but community coordination is important too.  I wanted to learn how to harmonize my personal efforts with those of the community.

My "created action" for the Nature topic will actually take place next Spring.  My neighborhood has several green spaces that I'll seed with native wildflowers that attract pollinators.  Like everywhere, our community has suffered from the decrease of bee activity this year... but we also don't provide much to attract them.  In planting an abundance of plants for them to enjoy, I hope to support bee survival and also fulfill our need for their action.  I'll also cultivate pollinator-friendly growth in my garden and encourage neighbors to do the same. 

My "created action" for the Nature topic will actually take place next Spring.  My neighborhood has several green spaces that I'll seed with native wildflowers that attract pollinators.  Like everywhere, our community has suffered from the decrease of bee activity this year... but we also don't provide much to attract them.  In planting an abundance of plants for them to enjoy, I hope to support bee survival and also fulfill our need for their action.  I'll also cultivate pooliator-friendly growth in my garden and encourage neighbors to do the same. 

Planning to research the tribal lands my home is located on, during today.  We can identify the tribes whose land we use by entering our addresses at native-land.ca.  We can then learn about the tribes, their current status and issues, and how we can promote their health and sovereignty.  One action can be to pay rent to the tribes for the use of their land.  Many people are starting to do this. 

Just contacted 5 legislators to respectfully urge them to continue prioritizing orca recovery and Chinook salmon habitat reclamation.  

Made two small donations to wildlife protection initiatives.  Revised my gardening plans yesterday to include more bee-friendly plants.  Some volunteer is sprouting that looks like bee balm: will research it and promote its proliferation.  Also promoting Native Hope's initiative against child trafficking.  

When I studied community sustainability and social justice a few years ago I learned a great deal about the inequities of our society. But layered above the fundamental injustice is a constantly changing community.  During this challenge I've been shown many new developments  relevant to our nation's minorities.  

I had never heard the term "food desert" before taking this Ecochallenge.   I had noticed the general decrease of fresh food markets during my lifetime, and the proliferation of fast food outlets, often all lined up in a shopping area, rather like a food court design.  The other phenomenon I've noticed is that people seem to be consuming more fast food and less nutritious options, even when the nourishing choices are available.  So desertification is not only an economic and geographic issue, it's also a response to demand.  More people are choosing fast food routinely even when they can find better options.   This produces a different form of malnutrition, as empty calories produce an epidemic of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.  Those of us who choose such an eating pattern really are "starving in the midst of plenty", as we substitute empty calories for actual nourishment.