C1. Start this one right away: grow something from seed! Plant one or more seeds of a kind suitable for later transplant into your own yard, or into a container in your yard. Keep a daily written record of the seed’s progress, and use sketches or photos to document the plant’s progress. How is your seed—and its plant—a representation of spring? 

C2: [Rookies Only] Go to http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp and calculate your personal ecological footprint. After taking the footprint quiz, click and read the FAQ link: http://www.rprogress.org/ecological_footprint/footprint_FAQs.htm . From there, use the “Ecological Footprint” drop-down menu to go to http://www.rprogress.org/ecological_footprint/reducing_your_footprint.htm and explore ways that you could diminish your footprint. Discuss what you found, and how your footprint could be improved. 

C3: Create a brand new magickal tool, talisman, altar pieces, or piece of magickal garb that is emblematic of or exemplifies Earth Day. Use it at least once. Create a report that introduces your tool and tells what you did. Include at least one photograph or detailed sketch. Note: If a veteran task member has completed this in a past challenge, they may complete it again—but they must make something brand new. 

C4: [One reply only; two students may work together on this.] Summarize the latest findings on global warming, particularly those in follow-up of the statement made on Feb. 2, 2007 by a committee of world scientists. Which parts of the Earth are currently in the greatest danger from the effects of global warming? Explain your reasoning. Use your findings to create a teaching unit (lesson) on global warming, suitable for use in a GSW class. Include an assignment that tests the student’s knowledge. Teaching unit and assignment should be appropriate for junior high age students and above. Length limit: 1000 words. 

C5: Do a survey of your yard or the immediate area around your home. Compile a list of all flora and fauna that you find in your area. For at least five, give scientific and common names and create a detailed “field book-style” description. Include photos. 

C6. Visit a local nursery or plant store that stocks plants native to your area. Make a list of all the plants you find there: include scientific and common name. Write a research piece on one of the plants. Include reference to the plant’s magickal uses. Any team members that do this task cannot also do task C7. 

C7. Go on a field trip! Visit one of the following: water treatment facility, sewage treatment facility, recycling facility, state or federal dam. If allowed, take pictures. If possible, interview someone who works at or operates the installation. Find out what the installation has to do with providing or conserving energy. How does this process help or hurt the Earth? Write a report that summarizes your findings. Any team members that do this task cannot also do task C6. 

C8. Get up an hour before dawn and watch the sunrise. Engage in a creative piece of art, music, or writing that captures the experience. 

C9. Go to http://www.infinitepower.org/calculators.htm and determine your personal energy use. Make a written plan to improve. Set a time frame and begin carrying out your goal. (This need not be finished before the challenge ends.) 

C10. Create one or more Tarot cards that use Earth as a central theme. Use the traditional Tarot Major and Minor Arcana and create a life-sized, fully-rendered version of the card(s). Include an explanation of the symbolism of your card(s). Note: as many team members as wish can work on this task; however, each member must complete different card(s). 

C11. What are “food miles”? Compare the use of observing food miles to the idea of eating organically. Which one is more useful in terms of carbon footprints and global warming? Explain your findings and reasoning in a short report. Use visuals if possible. 

C12. Investigate and make a list of houseplants that are valuable in cleaning the air within the home. Write a short report about your findings. Include images if possible. 

C13. Compose a spell or charm to help heal the Earth. On April 18, team members should post this on their House and Lodge, along with explanation and instructions encouraging the House or Lodgemates to carry out the ritual on April 22. Remember that your work must emphasize magick and wizardry, not religion. Bonus points: on April 18, email Prof. Moonwriter a copy of your spell or charm; she will post it to the faculty list so that they, too, may participate. 

C14. Investigate the causes of poor air quality within our homes. What are the main causes? How can we improve our air quality? Write a report that shares your discoveries. Make and begin to carry out a plan that puts at least one of your findings into action in your own home, 

C15. Investigate the entity known as “Colony Collapse Disorder.” Share the most current knowledge on the subject. Discuss what you can do to help. 

C16. Give up all fast food from April 1-18. Note any changes in your health, weight, or energy level. What does the fast food industry have to do with the Earth’s health? Write a 1+-page piece describing your physical findings and your discoveries. Bonus points: watch or rewatch the film Supersize Me. Inclulde your impressions of this film in your report. 

C17. [Rookies Only] Create a detailed set of magickal correspondences for Earth Day. 

C18. What are ten things you could do to minimize your impact on the Earth? These should be real, do-able tasks, i.e., things that you could begin doing tomorrow. Make a list of your “ten things” and share a plan for (a) how you will enact them and (b) how they will help heal the Earth. Begin carrying out at least two of them, and, if possible, report on any progress you make. 

C19. Give 2 or more hours of volunteer time to a real-time Earth-Day-related or general conservation event in their community during the period of the EDC. Work must be done in person, i.e., with physical presence. Write a report about what you did; include at least one photo, as well as a description of how much time was spent. Maps and sketches may also be useful. 

C20. Show team and Grey School spirit.