The March for Science is Over, Now What?

On Earth Day my boyfriend, Todd, and I went to the March for Science in Madison, Wisconsin and it was a fantastic weekend. Perfect weather all weekend, and we also had the chance to do sightseeing around the area over the weekend while seeing a few friends! The actual march was quite exhilarating, knowing we were among others who had a passion for science and the environment and listening to the inspirational speeches at the end of the march. One of the speakers was Tia Nelson, the daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, with a great message for all in attendance. Our signs were a big hit, my goal was to make them bright and three-dimensional to draw attention to the message and theme of my poster. 

Madison, WI March for Science

After the march, Todd asked me, "Now what can we do?"
We are both in a way 'scientists,' as we both have a degree in the biology/ecology-related fields and both have jobs with conservation and environmental restoration work. We both try to live sustainably and have a genuine care for natural areas, but even we don't have the answer as to how can we get others to live like us and care about science.

Well, I didn't really have an answer. I had some ideas and we both talked about ways how we can improve ourselves, but it's difficult to transfer our behaviors to others. For now, I write blogs and express suggestions to be sustainable and appreciate nature for anyone and everyone to read over via social media. My ultimate goal is transparency. I am learning to make videos and use as many of my real life experiences as I can to motivate others to be environmentally conscious. And I can say that at the time of my life when that was hardest to do (i.e. a broke college student with very little free time) I was the most sustainable.

Now what? Improve yourself first. Use your sustainable lifestyle as a story to share with others, it will make it easier when others are resistant to change or have questions. Then, share your story. Inspire others.

A Day for the Earth

April 22nd is traditionally Earth Day world wide (and it's just days away!!)...but what is Earth Day, why is there an Earth Day?

Earth Day became a nationally recognized holiday when Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created as a day to teach others about the environment on April 22nd, 1970. The holiday centered around the environment is still celebrated to this day by environmental organizations, business and everyday citizens.

There are so many ways to get involved on Earth Day in your community! Look on Facebook pages and events to find organizations near you that are doing awesome activities. A few ways to get involved are highway and beach clean ups, planting native flowers and trees, or visit a local wildlife sanctuary or natural area to educate yourself on local species and the natural environment. This Earth Day you can join me in attending a local marches such as the March for Science or Climate March in an area near you. (I have been working on my posters for weeks!)

Let's celebrate our planet on Earth Day and everyday! Keep on the celebrating by conserving your resources, reducing your plastic use and living a sustainable lifestyle everyday of the year. Happy Earth Week! ♻

Why I'm Passionate about the Environment?

I know I'm not the only environmentalist out there (beyond happy to share my passion of the planet with thousands and thousands of others, the more the better.) There are even people doing more work for the environment than I am and everyday I strive to improve myself to be more like these people. But honestly, I wish everyone was as passionate (or more) as me because...why not?

First, why am I working to live a sustainable lifestyle and care about our planet?

This isn't a difficult question to answer. I love going outside during all the seasons, especially summer and fall. I could live by a body of water, and be completely satisfied. I've only ever lived along Lake Michigan, a lake that is struggling to keep clean due to waste pollution, litter and invasive species. I want to visit pristine waters and beautiful trails filled with trees and wildlife. I want to visit state parks, I want my future children and grandchildren to have similar experiences as I have had in my childhood such as playing in fields and in lakes. This is why I care so much.

Second, what do I need to do to keep the earth clean?

Another easy answer. Recycle, compost, eat less or no meat and other animal products. Eat sustainable, have a garden, use natural cleaning products, shop local. Cut back on energy and water use. Cut back on plastic use and reduce your waste consumption.
Check out my previous blog post to see more ways you can do this: http://spreadecolove.blogspot.com/2017/02/50-ways-to-be-sustainable.html


So it's easy to know why I care and what to do. All that's left to do is implement this lifestyle. This can be difficult unless everyone participates, making a small lifestyle change daily or weekly can greatly help. April is the month of the Earth (Earth Day is April 22nd). Be more vigilant about your lifestyle for the month of April and care for the earth. My first suggestion: partake in an Earth Day clean up! Just a few hours with the family or group of friends will make a HUGE difference.

Happy Earth Month! 🐾

Water is Life, Let's Protect It

When I took literature classes during my grade school and high school education we often analyze symbols, and water always equals life. It's like a new beginning (rain in spring) and all life needs water to sustain itself. Although I say my favorite drink is coffee, the thing I drink the most is water...I always carry it with me to stay hydrated. I suggest everyone carries water with them, from a reusable water bottle and not a plastic one.

Water benefits your entire body, you need it for your body to function and balance out your electrolytes. It prevents your skin from drying and keeps it looking good. Water refreshes you and makes you feel better drinking it compared to an alternative beverage that may contain excess sugar, caffeine, or alcohol.

Another important point I would like to make is that water is vital to our existence, as well as any other organism, which means we need to conserve it. Water may seem 'cheap', but that's no excuse to waste water by keeping the faucet on when you're brushing your teeth or taking a really long shower. Not everybody has access to clean water and we need to protect the water we have. Even though it can be recycled, it's one of the most valuable things we all need and we need to conserve it.

I'm also passionate about protecting our lakes and other bodies of water, so please boaters, check your boat for native and non-native species, that could be invasive and don't transport them from lake to lake. Keep our lakes and oceans clean, pick up any plastic and other litter you find by your local wetlands and bodies of water to protect aquatic life. Remember: everyone needs clean water.

Tap Into Tap Water

Today's topic: Drinking tap water versus drinking bottled water. I'm sure you've all seen the commercial for the Brita filter that explains why drinking from your faucet is better than drinking a new water bottle every time you finish the last, and how many times you could wrap the world in plastic water bottles if we cut them out of our daily use. It's a great commercial I recommend watching if you haven't seen it, puts the environment in perspective. What the commercial doesn't mention is why it's better for yourself to drink tap or filtered water opposed to drinking bottled water.

Just to touch the environmental problems of bottled water: it takes a lot of materials and oil to make a plastic water bottle. And even assuming you do recycle the water bottle (props to those who do), not even all of it can be recycled. Also, a misnomer, I thought plastic water bottles were recycled into more plastic water bottles...unfortunately, no they are not. What ever can be recycled from the plastic water bottle is recycled into another product. And don't be fooled by the bottles of water with the smaller cap saying this is a "green" alternative to a regular water bottle, it still uses materials and takes energy to make nonetheless.

Hydration station's make it easy to

refill your water bottle on the go!

Now what are the benefits of drinking tap water? Well to start off with, it's much cheaper. Second, unless you're on well water, the EPA regulates the water quality, and they have high standards to ensure your drinking water is safe. (Let's hope the EPA continues to meet these important standards). Many people I know, including myself, feel that tap water tastes the same or better than bottled water. Tap water also contains a safe amount of fluoride that is beneficial to your dental health (which in turn, helps out your cardiovascular system). Tap water: better for the environment, better for you!

Tip: Instead of buying bottled water all the time, make a one time investment in a reusable water bottle!

50 Easy Ways to Be Sustainable

I love lists! Lists saved my life in college, between juggling being a student, an RA, an active student leader and involved in lots of organizations, I made weekly lists of what needed to get done that week. I have a list of New Years Resolutions for the year 2017. So yes, I'm a "list person."
There are many people, like me, who feel soothed when they see a list, so I made a list of ways you can be sustainable! (Please do not be overwhelmed by this large number, start small!)

1. Use a reusable water bottle, or be fancy with a mason jar and opt out of plastic water bottles.
2. Compost your food waste to divert it from a landfill.
3. Shop local, support small business and the local economy instead of large corporations.
4. Buy Fair Trade products like clothing, coffee or chocolate.
5. Donate your cloths, toys and household items rather than throwing them in
the dumpster.
6. When you go to a coffee shop, bring your own reusable mug.
7. Go vegan or vegetarian, if that's too much, go meatless one day a week...it makes a difference!
8. Unplug your electronics when you're not using them, it still uses electricity when plugged in.
9. Start going electronically rather than using paper for taking notes or doodling.
10. Do not use Styrofoam products, they are the absolute worst for the environment!

A meatless, locally sourced meal. Yum!

11. At the very least, don't litter...pick up trash on the side of the road or a beach clean up.
12. Skip the plastic bag, invest in a reusable cloth bag.
13. Skip plastic utensils and paper plates, but a sturdy pair of reusable kitchen utensils.
14. Have your own garden and grow your food.
15. Support local farmers and check out a farmers market, lots of good foods.
16. Eat your leftovers or make something new of them, don't just throw it away if it's still good.
17. Recycle...it's really easy and anyone can do it. Just learn how to do it properly.
18. Carpool, bike, walk or use public transportation to reduce carbon emissions.
19. When fishing, do so sustainably and don't spread aquatic invasive species.
20. Cook more...take out less. Take out equals more waste from packaging.
21. For gifts, choose a bag that can be reused over wrapping paper that gets immediately thrown away.
22. Cook with more fruits and veggies, fresh foods, and less from a can.
23. Skip bottled water, drink tap water.
24. Conserve water, don't have the faucet unnecessarily have the faucet running.
25. Try making your own shampoo, laundry detergent and other household items using natural ingredients and skip the chemicals.
26. When you buy honey, ditch the bear from the store and buy raw honey at a farmer's market.
27. Buy your meet locally, even better, from someone you know...better to know where your food comes from.
28. Don't use pesticides on your lawn and plants, it's bad for bees that can naturally help your garden.
29. Use LED lightbulbs.
30. Take your shower in five minutes or less, that's all it really takes to get the dirt off and soap up.
31. Try canning your food...jams, pickles...everything tastes better when you make it yourself.
32. Become a minimalist, do you really need to take all those freebies from places you know you'll never use?
33. Printing something, think first. Does it really need to be printed?
34. Ditch plastic...reuse as much as you can.
35. Set goals to reduce how much you waste each week, get as close to zero waste as you can.
36. Think simple, instead of spending lots of money and buying gifts that might not be used a lot, think of creative activities and experiences you can do with your loved ones, like camping or nature walks.
37. Watch documentaries like "No Impact Man" or "Cowspiracy" to inspire you.
38. Eat less packaged food, not only less waste, but typically food that is not packaged is better for you.

Most places make it easier

to refill you water bottle with

hydration stations.

39. Try to cut out fast food restaurants, their practices are typically not sustainable. For fast food try Chipotle, good for you and tastes great!
40. Simple, but turn of the lights when you leave a room. At night dim your lights and use less lighting to get ready for bedtime, even use candles to save even more electricity.
41. Invest in more efficient appliances that save water and energy.
42. Fix things that are leaking, that will save a lot of otherwise wasted water.
43. Smart landscaping, think more natural and less atheistic. Natural looks better anyway.
44. Properly recycle your electronics and batteries, they will take them somewhere-just do your research.
45. Borrow more, buy less. Books, check out a library. Clothes, swap with your friends or siblings.
46. Wash with cold water when possible when doing your laundry, to cut back on heating costs.
47. Adjust your thermostat appropriately to cut back on heating and cooling expenses.
48. Attend educational events that provide tips on being sustainable and share that knowledge with friends, the best thing to do is pass on the knowledge to others.
49. Do your research and learn from others, constantly improve your lifestyle to be more sustainable.
50. Get involved, be an active member in your community and advocate for the environment!

My tip: start small, choose three of these ways that you currently don't do, but could easily fit into your lifestyle. Try adding one a week, and by the end of the year you will have completed all 50 and will be living a much more sustainable lifestyle! There are definitely more than 50 ways to be sustainable, and as long as you're trying to help the planet, that is a big difference.

My EcoU Love

     The old saying, "it takes a village." UW-Green Bay was my village in college.

     What does it take to shape not just a college graduate, but one who will make a positive contribution to our world? The experience. The people along your crazy college ride are the ones who shape your experience. I could NOT have done college by myself, I needed every single person along the way to make my college years the enriched experience it was.

     The Advisors

Your academic advisors, who helped you navigate your way to finishing your major and minor tailored to the direction you are headed in life. #uwgblove shoutout to my advisor Amy Wolf, my advisor for my biology major and Steve Meyer for my environmental science minor!

My graduation cap,

UW-Green Bay 2016 alumni.

There are advisors you have in college, they might not have the "academic advisor" title, but they advise you through life, your goals, your jobs and career path, and yes, sometimes your academic life too: you are always a STUDENT FIRST! As an RA, member of Student Government, student researcher at The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, a UWGB Eco-Rep with EMBI and UWGB Residence Life, and other involvements in my college life, I have had so many people help me along the way. All of them in some way helped me promote the EcoU mission at UWGB or assist me in my dream to raise awareness and future implementing of food waste reduction programs on campus. Another #UWGBLove shoutout to Jeff Willems, Laurie Case, John Arendt, Mark Olkowski, Brenda Amenson-Hill,
                                                         Paul Pinkston, Rick Warpinski, Scott Ashmann, Gail Sims-                                                         Aubert, Patricia Albers, Jill Fermanich, Grant Winslow, and
                                                         Mike Stievater.

Who helped YOU along the way? Send them a positive message of appreciation!

   

Putting on a Go Green Game with

UWGB Athletics and a few SGA friend

"Phellow Phoenix"

Your job on or off campus shapes your college experience (and help pay the bills too!) I appreciate every job I've had and have been so fortunate to have had on-campus employment every year I attended UWGB. The on-campus jobs are endless and I need to give some #uwgblove to my jobs on campus that let me work with other students, going through the same UWGB college life. Most importantly, I made tons of life long friendships and memories through working on campus. I would never trade that opportunity for the world.

Hanging out with friends

at Shorewood Country Club

on-campus.

  


  The Support System and "Phoenix Phriends"

My parents, my sister and close friends were there for me through the entire college experience. Sending some #uwgblove their way whether it was from right here in Green Bay or from across the state.







    
     The Phoenix Ambiance

What is it that makes you love being a Phoenix or love the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay? From a UWGB alumni reflecting back, I have so many reasons but I'll name just a few!

Every Friday was #CoffeeFriday

at Common Grounds.

#uwgblove to Common Grounds Coffeehouse for serving up my coffee before my 8 AM class with a perky, smiling attitude when I still looked half asleep.

#uwgblove to the Kress Center, a one of a kind sports complex for college students to use (for free!) Thank you for helping me beat the "Freshman 15" by taking advantage of using the treadmills, bicycles, and weightlifting machines, the rock wall and the super fun fitness classes like Turbo kick that let me leave with a clear mind, ready to study. And of course the Phoenix athletic programs, such as watching UWGB basketball teams become Horizon league champions!

Creating stuffed animal cats

at UWGB Nites, March 2015.

#uwgblove to all the organizations that put on amazing events, often free to students, to relieve some stress and just have some fun! One of my favorite Friday night activities was UWGB Nites by Good Times Programming. A Friday night with food, fun and friends (...and all for free!), what could be better?!






UWGB has helped shaped me into the individual I am now and I am doing what I love less than a year after graduation, such as having opportunities to work as a biological technician for local restoration companies. I am also working on running my own environmental organization with a mission spread around love, originally stemming from UWGB Love week and the EcoU statement.

Representing UWGB's

SGA Environmental Affairs Committee,

serving up food at the annual Earth Day Picnic!

#uwgblove