Terese Svoboda

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 10 minutes learning about ways to ensure my pet’s behavior and care practices protect local wildlife and their ecosystems.

Communities can adapt to challenges and grow stronger together. I will spend 10 minutes learning about how communities prepare for and respond to change, and how collective action builds resilience.

Resilience is an everyday magic in all of us. I will spend 5 minutes learning about resilience and psychologist Ann Masten’s concept of “ordinary magic,” which shows how people adapt and thrive through small, daily strengths.

Resilience is all around us in the natural world. I will spend 10 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.

The foods we eat carry hidden “water footprints” that affect rivers, soils, and communities worldwide. I will reduce servings of high-water-use foods and choose alternatives that help conserve water and support more resilient food systems.

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.