1. Developed an EcoLeader profile, including my personal EcoMission., 2. Contributed to a project in one or more of the following ways: created or added to the EcoLeader project profile, project updates pages, and/or the application for certified project status. Project name and URL are listed below. (All projects must be hosted on EcoLeaders site to be eligible for certification), 3. Informed myself of leadership models and principals in one or more of the following ways: Read articles on leadership, participated in an NWF EcoLeaders webinar series, and/or participated in equivalent program offered by other organizations., 4. Encouraged the wider EcoLeaders community by contributing an idea, question, comment, article, video or photo in the community related to my or others’ projects, or to relevant leadership topics., 5. Sought a basic understanding of sustainability and biodiversity by reading one of the following resources (listed below and linked in the resource box on the right) and providing your top three reflections in the box below.

Three Levels of Biodiversity: Biodiversity includes species diversity (variety of species), genetic diversity (variation within species), and ecosystem diversity (range of ecosystems). These levels are interconnected. Biodiversity is Always Changing: Life evolves through speciation and extinction, constantly reshaping ecosystems. Genetic Diversity is Key to Survival: Genetic variation helps species adapt to environmental changes and resist threats like disease.

Identified a need and invented a project to address it., Clarified project outcomes and measures of success., Designed or tested strategies and tactics., Developed short and long-term goals and specific activities to achieve them., Researched or tested options (including various technologies, vendors or costs)., Investigated similar projects, Facilitated a team of people to define a vision for the project (or coordinated a planning charrette)., Surveyed people to help define project vision, needs, priorities and/or strategies., Integrated the project as a committee in an existing decision-making structure on campus or in the wider community, such as the student government council, campus strategic planning process, city council ordinances, or even a national or international policy., Secured placement of the project within the campus or community strategic or master planning documents or processes., Identified potential risks and strategies to address them.

Recruited one or more other individuals for the core project team., Recruited volunteers to help with the project (beyond the core project team)., Met with organizational superiors or staff and received support for the project., Organized or facilitated one or more project committees, or served as liaison for multiple committees., Recruited representatives from one or more departments or organizations as advisors, board members, or in other leadership capacities.

Developed a budget for the project (expenses regarding materials, promotions, etc.), Initiated or secured funding through a campus or community revolving loan fund., Met with prospective donors to discuss the project and fundraising needs.

Developed a project management plan with timeline and assigned tasks to team members. , Secured use of building space, land, goods or services., Organized materials, goods or services needed for volunteer service. , Kept a team up-to-date regularly over the course of the project., Documented and maintained a calendar for the project or managed scheduling for key meetings., Created a back-up plan in case the project faced challenges., Worked with the team to prioritize ideas for the project., Lead effective meetings with a pre-stated agenda and notes after., Developed committee chairs or other structures that distribute the workload.

Educated myself through reading, participating in a leadership or skills training and/or earning a related credential., Integrated questions about participation and support of the project in relevant performance review questionnaires., Offered or attended a diversity training or spoke up to encourage a diversity of view and perspectives., Helped arrange for employee release time or related incentives to allow professional development or other work to advance the project.

Offered or attended a diversity training or spoke up to encourage a diversity of views and perspectives., Helped arrange for faculty or staff release time or related incentives to allow professional development, course revisions, or other work to advance the project., Integrated questions about participation and support of the project in relevant performance review questionaires., Prepared a checklist of items to bring to an event.

Developed an advocacy campaign in support of the project (email blasts, postering, educational gatherings, etc.), Hosted in-person gatherings in support of the project to foster relationships among project participants and other interested individuals., Attended events to meet new people who could help with the project or to build reciprocal support around similar aims or research events for our team to attend to advance the project., Organized a table about the project at an event.

Hosted in-person gatherings in support of the project to foster relationships among project participants and other interested individuals., Attended events to meet new people who could help with the project or to build reciprocal support around similar aims or researched events for our team to attend to advance the project., Prepared promotional print or web materials., Organized a table about the project at an event., Prepared a checklist of items to bring to an event., Lead a shopping trip to gather items for an event.

Learned a new technology to help with the project., Maintained hardware for the project., Gathered scientific data on a regular basis for the project.

Prepared a document or website that explained the project vision and accomplishments., Hosted an in-person gathering to share the project with others., Created posters, banners, illustrations or other visuals for the project., Lined up influential people to speak about the project (i.e., community leaders, celebrities, or other influentials), Reached out to diverse groups in the community that had not been previously engaged in the project.

Contributed to one or more EcoLeader forums. , Lined up influential people to speak about the project (i.e., campus or community leaders, celebrities, or other influentials), Took photos or videos at project events, and secured releases for their use., Reached out to diverse groups on campus or in the community that had not been previously engaged in the project.

Designed or conducted a formative, summative, goals-based or goals-free evaluation of the project., Took photos or videos before, during and after project, securing any necessary releases for use., Interviewed community members, participants or others., Developed a project report including goals, progress, challenges, lessons learned or next steps.

Hosted a party with the leaders involved to acknowledge and appreciate effort, success and/or lessons learned., Helped integrate new elements into performance goal setting or review processes with students, staff or others that are tied to raises or promotions., Applied for an award or other recognition for the project awarded by a third-party that is not employed by the campus (e.g., this can include the NWF application for EcoLeader project recognition or other local or international awards).

Facilitated reflection on lessons learned with one or more teams., Reviewed and revised plans, goals, or policies., Helped develop a plan to broaden and sustain engagement. , Integrated language or goals related to Ecoleadership into the campus mission statement, master or strategic plan, or formal policies.

Cultivated a mentor or sought advice from others to help manage my personal and professional growth., Participated in a professional association or other support group of individuals who have similar goals, opportunities and challenges., Arranged for team support and renewal, such as coaching, relaxation sessions, outdoor time., Secured professional support for meeting design and facilitation., Engaged the support of professionals with team building, leadership, communications or structure.