Angie DeRouchie

Take an action to support our planet's pollinators. Learn about bees and butterflies. Make your yard more attractive to pollinators by planting native plants or reducing chemicals. Sign up for the Backyard Habitats Certification program. Share what you've learned.

Many items we use in daily life are recyclable, they are just not collected curbside. I will learn what can be recycled in my area, and create a recycling system in my home to collect those things. I will talk to my neighbors and encourage them to do the same, and share delivery runs to get these items to the recycler who can receive them. I will also learn what can be recycled elsewhere, and consider mailing costs into my budget where possible.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

I will spend at least 60 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

The Tualatin watershed is crucial to our community's well-being. Learn more about the conservation and restoration activities of the past and present that are ensuring the health of our watershed. Pick an action from the following options: 1) Switch to organic or slow-release fertilizers, 2) Replace a non-permeable surface with a permeable one, 3) Always pick up after pets (if you notice a location, park, or greenspace with a pet waste problem, find a way to improve the disposal infrastructure), 4) Plant tough/hardy plants that require little or no extra water/fertilizer, 5) Use roof water or greywater in the garden instead of having it run directly to the street or down the drain.

The history of recycling programs is complex. Much of the confusion about what is and isn't recyclable started decades ago. Take some time time to learn about the evolution of plastic recycling efforts. Click 'learn more' for suggested videos and articles.