Nicola Bittner

capstone summer 21

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
266 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

14

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

35

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

1.0

petition

signed

Nicola's actions

Consumption and Economy

Support Local Businesses

I will buy from local businesses instead of shopping online.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Sign a Petition

I will sign a petition in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 2 mile(s) each day this week instead of driving and avoid sending up to 13.5 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Say No to Plastic

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. This week, I'll say "no" to plastic bags at the store and plastic straws in all of my drinks.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Ecological Principles

Recycle Everything I Can

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community this week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

A Call to Sustainability

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

Nicola Bittner 7/14/2021 9:05 AM

I just moved to Eugene on Monday and my partner and I have been trying our best to buy local and support Eugene's many small businesses. Our biggest haul was from a company called "Marley's Monsters" who sell a lot of handmade reusable items (marleysmonsters.com). We ended up getting the reusable cloth "paper" towels, reusable trash liners, and reusable toilet paper (I know... yikes) along with some other goodies. This weekend we are planning on getting our produce from the local farmer's market. We're trying our best to get into more eco-friendly habits in this new space and so far it feels very successful. These sorts of changes don't really feel like the sacrifice they are sometimes made out to be and I hope we can inspire others, even if it's just our close friends or families.

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Nicola Bittner 7/06/2021 4:50 PM

For my week 3 eco-challenge, I signed one petition and walked about 5+ miles so far. The petition is by The Action Network to encourage Biden to declare an ecological emergency. Once this is declared, much-needed executive action will take place (supposedly).

When I'm in Eugene, my partner and I walk almost everywhere. So far, we've been to the grocery store a few times and walked to our favorite skate spot. The miles add up fast! I love walking because it keeps me in shape and gives us something to do outside. This is something we've been doing and will continue to do regularly.

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- Justus Wolber 7/07/2021 12:21 PM
  
  Nicola, This is awesome! I hadn't heard about the action network until your post mentioned it, but now I will sign that petition as well.
  
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Nicola Bittner 7/01/2021 8:55 AM

For the week 2 EcoChallenge, I chose to reduce plastic and material waste, as well as not use any plastic water bottles. The water bottles kind of felt like cheating because my family and I all use re-usable anyway, but I guess it counts. As far as my plastic reduction goes, I was able to use a reusable straw at least 2 times while eating out, not use any plastic bags at the grocery store, and wrap my mom's birthday gifts in scrap fabric (which she loved and said she would do it again). I realize there is so much more I can do in my everyday life and I look forward to trying new things!

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Nicola Bittner 6/24/2021 3:46 PM

This week on my way home from roller skating, I stopped by a park in Canby that I had never been to. It's just a community park, but there's a good-sized area to walk down by the river. Because it was warm out, it was super busy, but I was able to find a quiet spot to read and swim for a while. My favorite part was being around so much wildlife. I found tons of small fish and crawdads (???), and spotted tons of birds. This is a park I would love to further explore and visit again!

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- Samantha Contreras Leos 6/28/2021 8:20 PM
  
  Hi Nicola!
  
  That seems like an awesome area. I live in Portland and wish there were areas like this that are walking/skating distance from me to enjoy. There are parks squished between buildings but it just isn't the same. It feels claustrophobic at times and overwhelming to visit parks in Portland. I find myself having to visit Beaverton to really enjoy anything but it's rare I get the chance since I do not drive. Anyways thank you for sharing!
  
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- Kiet Chuc 6/24/2021 7:24 PM
  
  That is great to hear. I sometimes would go cycling around my neighborhood to find parks and various interesting places also. And I'm surprised that I live close to 2 big parks. I also sometime would take the Max and randomly jump off a stop close enough to a bus stop so I can explore it a little bit and then come back home. It's great to get out there and explore other places.
  
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