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.

The notion that we’re part of one Earth community with a shared destiny is powerful to me. It breaks down the artificial boundaries between nations, races, or political ideologies, grounding everything in the understanding that our collective fate is intertwined. To me, this is at the heart of democracy. It’s about recognizing that everyone’s voice, from the most vulnerable communities to future generations, matters. And in the climate justice movement, human rights and democratic participation are more than principles—they are tools for survival. If we’re serious about creating a sustainable future, we must ensure that these rights are protected and expanded. Building a sustainable society means addressing the root causes of inequality, injustice, and environmental degradation, and that protecting democratic systems is key to ensuring everyone has a say in their future.

Identified a need and invented a project to address it., Clarified project outcomes and measures of success., 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, Coordinated a “request for proposal” (RFP) or similar process., 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., Identified potential risks and strategies to address them.

Recruited one or more other individuals for the core project team., Met with organizational superiors or staff and received support for the project.

Developed a budget for the project (expenses regarding materials, promotions, etc.), Met with prospective donors to discuss the project and fundraising needs., Other (please specify)

created a project proposal and gave it to foundations, government institutions, & community orgs for review, potential collaborations, and/or funding

Developed a project management plan with timeline and assigned tasks to team members. , Secured use of building space, land, goods or services., 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., 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.

Facilitated a situation that required conflict management skills., Coordinated grants, fellowships or scholarships for students, faculty or staff project and professional development.

Developed an advocacy campaign in support of the project (email blasts, postering, educational gatherings, etc.), 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., Prepared promotional print or web materials.

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.

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., Developed a marketing/communications campaign for the project (including social media, email, postering, coffee breaks, etc.), Reached out to diverse groups in the community that had not been previously engaged in the project.

Contributed to one or more EcoLeader forums.

Designed or conducted a formative, summative, goals-based or goals-free evaluation of the project., Developed a project report including goals, progress, challenges, lessons learned or next steps.