Ryann Stemmer

Some species are especially important because they help keep whole ecosystems in balance. I will spend 30 minutes learning about a keystone species near me and how it supports biodiversity and 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.

Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.

Everyone’s water needs and use are different. I will create an action that works for my life and supports water resilience—and make my commitment public by sharing it in the feed to inspire others.

Small acts of kindness and gratitude can brighten someone's day and create a positive ripple effect. I will express gratitude to 3 people or perform 3 random acts of kindness to spread joy and connection.

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spend 15 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.

Composting turns waste into a resource, building soil health and cutting methane emissions from landfills. I will compost food scraps at home, school, or in my community, which avoids sending up to 0.42 lbs (0.19 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day.

Wildlife observations can help researchers and communities understand and protect biodiversity. I will download a wildlife monitoring app and log 1 animal or plant species I discover.

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.

Resilience is personal and collective. I will reflect on a time when I adapted to change in my own life, writing down what helped me and what I learned from the experience.

Cold water washes are not only capable of saving energy, but they can also save you money! My goal is to wash all my laundry with cold water to conserve energy and water. I chose this because it is not only a very doable goal, but it also has a strong, positive impact on sustainability.

Stories connect and inspire us. I will share 4 resilience stories—either from my life, my community, or from a leader or culture I admire—through conversations, social media, or the event feed to help others see resilience in action.