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October 1 - October 31, 2025

ACHS Eco Ambassadors Feed

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  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature
    How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

    Keila Miller's avatar
    Keila Miller 10/28/2025 4:54 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    We desperately need trees for our survival. They are crucial for reducing toxins and purifying the air. They give shelter and food to so many creatures, including us. They protect the soil from erosion and pollution build up; which helps to protect our water system. They create micro ecosystems for special species to thrive in. Aesthetically, they create breathtaking sceneries that allow us to find solace in. The list can go on…

    It’s good for my health because it connects me to nature and allows me to give back in a positive way. Trees give us so much more than we give them. The simple act of planting one is a beautiful way of acknowledging and honoring their enormous contribution to life.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health
    What environmental factors affect human health in your region, and how do they affect it?

    Keila Miller's avatar
    Keila Miller 10/28/2025 4:43 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    In my immediate local area, the biggest concern is soil and ground contamination primarily caused by glass manufacturing waste, including toxic metals, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and boron. The contaminated soil was used as fill in times past and has been of concern is specific locations, including several parks and at the high school. What was encouraging though was that our local area has been cleaning up the contaminated places. Currently, they plan to finish up by Spring of 2026. I’ll be keeping an eye on this now that I’m aware of it!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Why do you donate food? How does it connect to your values?

    Keila Miller's avatar
    Keila Miller 10/28/2025 4:27 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    The truth is I don’t donate food to charities or institutions that are organized to support the local community in this way. This was my first time doing so and I’m glad I did. It helped me find new resources to give to and to direct people to. The people collecting the donations were friendly and approachable too; which was encouraging to see.

    I usually keep food donations closer to home by giving them to some of my neighbors. There are a number of elderly neighbors in my neighborhood. Some are not as old but are on the higher age group. So I like to give them extra fruits and veggies from our backyard during the summer and fall. In the winter and early spring, I give them any extra baked goods or sourdough bread we’ve made. Sometimes we purposefully make extra food just to give away to neighbors, family, and friends. It’s a special way to connect with others and to share from our heart and home. Meaningful connections are important to me so this is an easy way to apply my values. I find it helps to bring down walls and allows for open exchange too!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy
    What most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint? What changes did you make or will you make?

    Keila Miller's avatar
    Keila Miller 10/28/2025 4:01 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    What surprised me most was how easy it is to implement actions that reduce energy footprint at home. There were quite a few actions I was already aware of and have been implementing. Others are on the to-do list, like sealing all draft areas in the attic. However, before reading on how to perform an at-home energy audit, I was fully expecting to read about complicated ways of saving energy. Quite the opposite! I mean some are lengthy in performing as they require several steps. But there are many easy ones. It has inspired me to encourage my family and friends to read up on it for themselves too. Sometimes the only reason we don’t take action is because we think it will be difficult to do. Having simple steps that are clearly laid out can help to remove some of the intimidation that may be associated with not making change while also making it easier to take action.

  • Mandisa Monroe's avatar
    Mandisa Monroe 10/27/2025 6:50 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    My chosen actions have given me a newfound sense of purpose and personal empowerment. I feel healthier and more holistically mindful. It feels good to see small steps add up and to be part of a larger collective effort toward sustainability. Going forward, I plan to keep the momentum by sharing my successes with my friends and family, setting monthly eco-goals, and inspiring others in my circle to join in, so these new habits become part of our everyday lives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health
    Who is most affected by environmental degradation or environmental irresponsibility in your community? How are they affected? What actions can you take to support those affected by these issues?

    Mandisa Monroe's avatar
    Mandisa Monroe 10/26/2025 1:47 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    Environmental Justice and Community Impact in South Dakota

    Environmental degradation in South Dakota disproportionately affects Indigenous nations, rural landowners, and communities near vulnerable water systems. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe faces significant threats to treaty lands and water quality from projects such as the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), which continue to raise environmental and cultural concerns (Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program, 2025). Rural landowners are also impacted by carbon pipeline construction, which has led to disputes over eminent domain and land rights (South Dakota Searchlight, 2025).

    These groups experience the cumulative effects of industrial expansion, water contamination, and loss of land sovereignty. Pollution in the Big Sioux River and weakened wetland protections following the Sackett decision further endanger ecosystems and public health.

    To support affected communities, individuals can advocate for stronger state-level environmental impact assessments, participate in public hearings, and promote sustainable land and water management. Engaging in local conservation efforts—such as water quality monitoring and river cleanups—empowers communities to address environmental injustice collectively. Protecting South Dakota’s ecosystems and respecting Indigenous sovereignty are essential steps toward a just and sustainable future.

    References
    Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program. (2025). Pipeline litigation and Indigenous environmental justice. https://share.google/PTxMNG8u7EcKsbAuU

    South Dakota Searchlight. (2025). South Dakota lawmakers debate the eminent domain ban on carbon pipelines. https://share.google/3quNw3KPDUMxZybx9

  • Mandisa Monroe's avatar
    Mandisa Monroe 10/26/2025 1:39 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣

    Environmental Justice Concerns in South Dakota, 2025

    Environmental justice in South Dakota has increasingly centered on land use conflicts and the environmental implications of proposed carbon pipelines. In 2025, state lawmakers passed a ban on the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects, following public opposition and concerns about private land rights. However, some legislators argued that the policy unfairly targeted a specific industry. In addition, landowners gained new legal tools to address corporate misconduct, as legislation was introduced allowing them to sue companies engaging in deceptive or intimidating practices when acquiring easements (South Dakota Searchlight, 2025). Environmental groups have continued to advocate for mandatory state-level environmental impact assessments to ensure that carbon pipeline development does not harm ecosystems or communities.

    Water quality and resource protection remain urgent environmental justice issues in South Dakota. The Big Sioux River, particularly in Brookings County, suffers from agricultural runoff that limits its ecological health and affects fish populations. Meanwhile, concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," have prompted collaboration between South Dakota State University and the Department of Health to establish local PFAS testing capacity. These actions reflect a growing awareness of the state's water vulnerabilities. Moreover, the Supreme Court's Sackett v. EPA decision has placed nearly two million acres of wetlands in South Dakota at risk by narrowing federal protections under the Clean Water Act, potentially increasing flood damage costs and reducing habitat resilience (Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program, 2025).

    For Indigenous nations, particularly the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, environmental justice concerns persist regarding pipeline projects and the protection of treaty lands and water resources. The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), which crosses beneath key waterways near the reservation, continues to raise alarm among tribal and environmental organizations. The Black Hills—recognized as sacred and protected under historic treaties—remain contested due to ongoing mining and resource extraction that threaten the area's environmental and cultural integrity. These overlapping issues highlight how environmental policy, tribal sovereignty, and land rights intersect in South Dakota, underscoring the need for inclusive governance and sustainable management practices that respect Indigenous stewardship traditions.


    References

    South Dakota Searchlight. (2025). South Dakota lawmakers debate carbon pipeline eminent domain ban. Retrieved from https://share.google/3quNw3KPDUMxZybx9

    Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program. (2025). Pipeline litigation and Indigenous environmental justice. Retrieved from https://share.google/PTxMNG8u7EcKsbAuU



  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature
    How do pollinators impact your daily life, and what changes can you make to ensure they continue to thrive?

    Brittany Zahorchak's avatar
    Brittany Zahorchak 10/25/2025 10:15 AM
    • Plant Parent 🪴
    Pollinators impact my life by providing beauty as my flowers bloom and food to provide sustenance. I can plant marigolds and cone flowers to help the pollinators in my area thrive.

  • Brittany Zahorchak's avatar
    Brittany Zahorchak 10/25/2025 6:19 AM
    • Plant Parent 🪴
    I started this eco challenge because of school but the more I read the more I fell in love with the concept. I feel confident that I have gaine some healthier habits and more self awarenes about the impact I make in the world.

  • Jacqui McGrath's avatar
    Jacqui McGrath 10/24/2025 9:10 AM
    I'm pretty clueless about investing. I've just recently opted in for a 401 (k) at my work, and I've felt uneasy about it in part because I didn't research where the money is being invested. I spent a few minutes this morning reading about impact investing here: https://thegiin.org/publication/post/about-impact-investing/ Now, I feel inspired to inquire about where my 401 (k) monies are. I wasn't sure what to ask, so I asked AI what to ask. Here's what Copilot suggests...

    Questions to Ask Your Employer or HR
    1. Do we offer any ESG or socially responsible investment options in our 401(k)?
    • ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance—these funds prioritize companies with strong sustainability and ethical practices.
    2. Can we add impact-focused funds to our 401(k) investment lineup?
    • If none are currently offered, ask whether the plan administrator can include funds that support clean energy, gender equity, affordable housing, or other causes you care about.
    3. Who manages our 401(k plan, and can I speak with them about impact investing options?
    • This helps you connect directly with the plan provider (like Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.) who may offer ESG or impact funds not currently included.
    4. Is there a brokerage window or self-directed option in our 401(k?
    • This feature lets you invest in a broader range of funds—including impact investments—beyond the core offerings.
    5. How often is our 401(k) fund lineup reviewed or updated?
    • If changes are possible, you can advocate for impact funds to be considered during the next review cycle.
    6. Can you share the criteria used to select our current investment options?
    • Understanding this helps you make a case for why impact investing aligns with the company’s values or employee interests.
    💡 Bonus Tip
    If your employer is receptive, you could suggest a short employee survey to gauge interest in sustainable investing. Collective demand often drives change faster.