Participants must form a partnership with an organization within their community. Together, participants and organizations must collaboratively engage in an activity that enhances or contributes to natural resource/ecosystem health within their local community.

Project ideas: Solid waste reduction, recycle/reuse, water quality improvement, energy conservation, sustainable resource management, alternative energy, endangered species, urban vs. rural issues, agricultural practices, human health issues, naturescaping (the use of native plants species for landscaping purposes), recreational activities, wetland management/preservation, waste water treatment, estuary management, marine/coastal management, etc.

NOTE: Begin collaborating with potential economic and resource partners right away. Doing so will increase project efficiency. (See Step Three and Step Five for more detail.) Also, be realistic with what you try to take on. Keep it simple, if need be.

Recommended Process for Participants:

Step One: Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory

• Identify environmental issues/problems, threats or impairments in your community (These should be centered around economic issues, sustainability, biodiversity, consumerism, best management practices, etc.)
• Create a list of above issues/problems, threats or impairments (submit list to coordinators, see timeline)
• The focus of this step is to have students accurately, comprehensively, and scientifically assess the conditions of an area so that their subsequent work addresses a genuine threat or problem.
• It may be necessary to collect scientific data to support your inventory (To collect scientific data, students may need to take species inventories, water quality sampling, or other quantitative measurements. Additionally, it may be important to seek the advice of specialists and professionals and needs identified with your economic partners)

Step Two: Select Environmental Issue/Problem

• Develop and use criteria for selecting an impairment or threat
• Use a decision-making process that supports a teamwork ethic
• Select one impairment or threat to be the focus of your project (Make sure your selection is agreeable to potential economic partners, if a partner is not yet established)
• This will become your project title
• Submit project title and synopsis to coordinators

Step Three: Research Your Environmental Impairment or Threat

• Identify the human behaviors, policies, laws and regulations, current management practices, historical information, causes, effects, etc. related to the problem
• Research the environment in your cultural heritage
• Conduct an Internet search or seek other scientific research as necessary
• Identify key players (specialists, professionals, policy makers, etc.) regarding the problem to contact them for additional information - before you draw conclusions, ask questions
• Contact a natural resource agency, higher educational institute, or other professional organization to advise you on your research - develop a partnership with these organizations to improve the quality of your research
• Describe a variety of community opinions about the problem
• Based on what you have discovered from above, develop a recommendation for improving a policy or practice
• Site all your research with an appropriate reference sheet or bibliography - include this with your submitted research

Step Four: Decide What To Do

• Develop and use criteria for selecting a strategy for this project
• Use a decision-making process that supports a teamwork ethic
• Select one strategy to be used when carrying out the project
• The goal here is to develop a list of strategies for bringing about lasting change to the selected problem or threat
• Include this with your research and submit it to the coordinators

Step Five: Take Action

• Establish a plan of action with a timeline
• By now you should have the economic partnership established
• Ideally, this partner should be willing to provide your delegation with financial support or sponsorship to attend the Environmental Summit
• Delegations are encouraged to partner with the private economic sector and/or may also choose to collaborate with public business, agencies, and organizations that foster environmental stewardship ethics
• Carry out the action plan
• Remember to document all activities

Step Six: Looking Back and Ahead

• Assess the impact of the project (include feedback from your collaborating organization)
• Decide what, if anything, has been left undone
• Consider what you would do differently if you were to conduct a similar project in the future
• Can results be sustained under "normal" operating conditions for the organization/business?
• Are the methods used and/or results transferable to other organizations/businesses?

OUTCOMES

• Road to Summit Video: Delegations develop a 10-minute video documenting their entire experience to prepare for the Summit. Video should chronicle the project, include delegate meetings, and fieldtrips, etc.
• Project Presentation: Delegations develop 10-15 minute PowerPoint presentation showcasing their project and research
• All research should be sent to proper person to be posted on conference website

NOTE: Seek support from your partner(s) for resources to assist you with the "Road to the Summit Video" and PowerPoints.

MULTI-NATIONAL COMMITTEES
Based on initial Environmental Inventories, multi-national committees will work to establish viable solutions for the types of environmental problems or threats discovered.