Jamie L. Damato

I’ll take a short pre-survey to share what motivated me to join — and earn 15 points! (If I already took the survey by email, I’ll just mark this action complete to get my points.)

There are many amazing projects supporting wildlife and their habitats. I will choose a project or organization to support that helps species and habitats I care about and make a donation.

Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 20 swaps or sharing activities, like borrowing items, attending or hosting a swap meet, or giving away items I no longer need to support a sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.

Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can disrupt lives and upend our communities. I will take proactive steps to prepare for extreme weather by safeguarding my home and creating or updating an emergency plan and kit with essential supplies, evacuation routes, and contact information.

Resilience is all around us in the natural world. I will spend 30 minutes outdoors looking for examples of resilience—such as plants regrowing, animals adapting, or seasonal cycles—and reflect on what they teach about thriving through change.

Sharing our talents can benefit those around us. I will offer my skills or services that contribute to local self-sufficiency, such as teaching a repair skill or helping with a neighbor's garden.

Belonging to a group can help build friendships and a sense of purpose. I will explore online or in-person groups or clubs that share my interests or goals and join a group to connect with others.

Being a responsible pet owner means minimizing the impact pets have on wildlife by keeping them indoors, never setting them 'free' into nature, and supervising pets when they are outside to prevent them from hunting or disturbing wild animals. This also keeps our pets safe from harm. I will spend 20 minutes learning about ways to ensure my pet’s behavior and care practices protect local wildlife and their ecosystems.

Some species are especially important because they help keep whole ecosystems in balance. I will spend 15 minutes learning about a keystone species near me and how it supports biodiversity and resilience.

Fallen leaves, logs, and brush provide shelter and food for wildlife. I will leave natural features in my yard or community space to help strengthen biodiversity and soil resilience.

Wildlife needs support from people. I will take 5 actions, such as volunteering, signing petitions, contacting leaders, or sharing information on social media, to help protect habitats and species.

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports local needs. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spend 60 minutes learning how to support local pollinators and take at least one action—such as planting native flowers or avoiding pesticides—to help sustain resilient ecosystems and harvests.

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 1 meatless meals meals each day.