Michele DiMasi

Studies show a grass lawn is water intensive and on average it require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. I will do one or more of the following actions in my yard or community to conserve water and improve habitat: plant indigenous plants, landscape with water-efficient plants, add mulching, replace a lawn, and/or use eco-friendly fertilizers.

I will become a savvy produce shopper when buying organic and non-organic items.

I will volunteer 10 hours in my community.

Each day, I will spend 15 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

Have you recently taken steps in embracing an eco-friendlier lifestyle outside the office? If yes, share your “greenecdote” with us. Email [email protected] and your story may be featured on Access for Earth Month.

Join the Biggest Hour for Earth! On March 25, join this global movement by spending 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet. Snap a photo and submit to [email protected] to earn Ecochallenge points! Learn more at www.earthhour.org.

I will spend 30 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

I will use the communication methods I read about to practice effective, compassionate, and nonviolent communication with someone I interact with regularly (i.e., my roommate, parents, co-worker, partner, classmates, or children).

I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, or practicing gratitude for nature.

During the workday, I will schedule time for daily breaks during work days to practice work-life balance.