Ei moves!

In 2021, Elemental Impact (Ei) Founder & CEO Holly Elmore returned to her hometown, Sarasota, Florida, after residing in Atlanta for 40 years, 37 years in her eclectic urban condo. Along with Holly, the Ei national and global headquarters moved to Florida.

Until the fall 2022, Holly's primary focus was caregiving for her elderly mother, and Ei slipped into the chrysalis stage of a major metamorphosis. Yet, as documented in the Ei Milestones page, Ei built a strong Sarasota environmental foundation while in the chrysalis stage.

Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots
For the first time in her adult life, Holly moved into a home with a yard, a large yard! A primary focus in late 2021 was rewilding the yard within two pilots: 1> the front-yard native-plant landscape pilot and 2> the permaculture-oriented backyard pilot. 

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine (RiA) article, Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots, introduces the pilots along with the urban-wildlife and environmental impact; the Holly Elmore Images (HEI) Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes album documents the pilots' progress in a series of photo galleries.

Native-Plant Landscape Pilot

 Five months after installation, the young native-
plant front-yard landscape is thriving.

After removing ornamental non-native plants and smothering the grass, Ei contracted with Pamela Callender of Lifelines to design and install a lovely native-plant landscape. Additionally, the impervious driveway was removed and replaced with mulch. On November 19, 2021, the two-day installation was complete and the plant nurturing began.

Graced with two oaks trees, a live oak and laurel oak, the front yard has a large oblong, shaded area. Plans are for a low deck with ample seating under the oak trees for educational and entertaining uses.

The HEI album, Ei Native-Plant-Landscape Pilot, documents the front-yard evolution through a series of photo galleries.

Backyard-Permaculture Pilot
While focused on the front-yard native-plant landscape, the backyard was permitted to return to its "wild state" with abundant plant diversity; a variety of happy insects frolicked in the knee-high grass infiltrated with flowering plants. 

Six weeks post-Hurricane Ian the resilient
food forest recovered from the ravaging winds.

Listening to the yard's requests, Ei slowly "tamed" the backyard with mulched paths, a banana compost circle, a row of native-blueberry bushes under the roof dripline, a pollinator garden, a food forest, and a raised herb-garden area with sun protection. Once the invasive carrotwood tree was removed, the south-side yard was opened to ample sunshine and prepped for a vegetable, herb, and edible-flower garden.

Ei Supporter Zach Zildjian of Zach Zildjian Design Services (ZZ Design) oversees the backyard evolution and uses the pilot as a showcase for "what can be done" in a neighborhood scenario.

The HEI album, Ei Backyard-Permaculture Landscape Pilot, documents the backyard's evolution through a series of photo galleries.

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian pummeled Florida's central Gulf Coast and caused catastrophic damage a mere 80 miles south in Ft. Myers. Sarasota experienced 85 miles-per-hour winds and receiving 5 - 15 inches of rain, depending on the specific location. The rewilding pilots were ravaged, yet overall weathered the hurricane with minimal long-term damage.

Microforests
Ei supports the SURF - Suncoast Urban Reforesters - Microforests via ZZ Design mentorship and HEI photo-documentation services. ZZ Design provides the technical expertise required to design and implement microforest-soil preparation and -tree planting.

As stated on the LA Microforest site: 

Microforests (also called pocket forests, mini forests, and tiny forests) are densely-planted, multilayered indigenous forests planted in urban spaces which act as self-sustaining ecosystems that reconnect fragmented habitat and restore biodiversity.

The Miyawaki method involves the randomized planting of small saplings of various indigenous shrubs and trees (grown from local, regionally adapted seeds) in very close proximity together, where no two trees or shrubs of the same height are planted side by side.

Over 100 volunteers participated in the
Heritage Harbour Microforest planting day.

On January 18, 2023, over 100 volunteers from 5-years old to 85-years old participated in the Heritage Harbor Microforest-planting day. Due to superb underlying organization by ZZ Design, over 2,000 trees were planted on the ½-acre site in less than five hours. The HEI Heritage Harbour Microforest Planting album gives a still-photo documentary of the event.

A one-acre microforest installed on a 1 ½-acre peninsula within the Manatee River, the Colony Cove Microforest, was planted on June 13, 2022. The HEI album, Colony Cove Microforest, includes a series of galleries documenting the microforest-planting day.

The RiA article, Urban Afforestation: Food Forests and Microforests, gives an in-depth introduction to food forests and microforests along with their profound environmental and societal impact; global examples are featured.

Lambda Alpha International (LAI)
As she sits on the the LAI Global Executive Committee, upon arriving in Sarasota, Holly immediately embarked on building a local LAI Community of At-Large members. Holly scheduled Ei- and LAI-introduction meetings with the Sarasota environmental leadership. With nearly 100% success, the environmental leaders accepted Holly's LAI At-Large-member nominations.

Ei orchestrated an impressive February 17, 2023 LAI Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact Global Webinar. The global webinar was the second program in an eighteen-month series about water and land economics around the globe hosted by the LAI Global Water Group.

LAI At-Large Members from Florida’s Central Gulf Coast shared on global-coastal-water challenges along with the economic impact to the local and regional communities. With a well-orchestrated plan, via the Water-Quality Playbook, community organizations execute programs designed to prevent water contamination from land use and to cleanse contaminates in the water.

The Sarasota Bay Report Card documents achievements and remaining challenging scenarios. Teamwork is required for success with support provided by local, state, and federal governments as well as the community (foundations and taxpayers.)

Panelists included:

• David Tomasko, Ph,D, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director
• Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Community Investment
• Christine Johnson, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast President
• Sandy Gilbert, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide Chair 

Sarasota ROCKS when it comes to water-quality commitments; after all, the local economy and way of life depend on healthy waters!

Listen to the webinar recording on LAI TV to learn about Sarasota’s successful collaborative water-quality projects and programs; the Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact article provides an in-depth synopsis of the webinar content; panelist PPT presentations are available for download within the article copy.

Regenerative Working Group (RWG)
Throughout Ei's chrysalis stage, the RGW Executive Team met the second Tuesday of the month via a Zoom call without missing a beat. The team expanded with new members, and several members, who met via RWG, are working together on exciting global projects.

LAI membership is a prerequisite to RWG participation.

Ei Connects
In May 2022, Holly Elmore introduced colleagues and friends Save Our Seabirds (SOS) CEO Aaron Virgin and Lifelines Founder Pam Callender. Aaron is an Ei Advisor, Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay member (via Holly's nomination,) and a RWG Executive Team member. SOS is an Ei Strategic Ally.

Pam Callender & Aaron Virgin

Funded by a Longboat Key Garden Club grant, Aaron contracted with Pam to design the transformation of an unsightly drainage ditch into a stormwater-demonstration garden. Native plants were selected for coastal properties and bird habitat. On February 28, 2023, Pam oversaw the installation of 360 plants (54 species) by volunteers and Aaron himself!

The RiA Magazine article, Ei Connections: Save our Seabirds | Lifelines, showcases the Ei Connection as well as the Lifelines drainage-ditch transformation; the Holly Elmore Images album, Save our Seabirds / Lifelines, provides a pictorial recap.

As Holly went to high school with the Director of Education at the Community Day School (CDS,) Ei facilitated several introductions to CDS regarding microforests and other educational opportunities.

With Ei well established in Sarasota, future Ei Connections are staged for common occurrences.

Local Organizations
In October 2021, Ei's member nomination was approved by the prominent Science and Environment Council (SEC) Board. While acquainting herself with Sarasota environmental leadership, Holly was advised to join and get involved in the SEC; it the backbone of Sarasota's environmental community. Membership resides with the organization, not an individual; organizations must be invited to nominate themselves.

Pre-dinner portrait at the 2023
Sarasota HomeStay Program

Sponsored by Ei Advisor Charles Reith, Holly was inducted into the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay. With their stated environmental commitment, the Sarasota Bay Club is a SURF member and supports the microforest plantings spearheaded by Charles.

At the request of the Rotary Club leadership, Holly attended various events at the Rotary 47th Annual Sarasota District Governor-Elect (DGE) HomeStay Program; Rotary DGEs from across the globe attended the five-day event. Holly served as the official photographer. The HEI album folder, 2023 DGE Sarasota HomeStay Program, documents the events.

Speaking Engagements
As 2022 came to a close, Holly co-presented with Zach on SOIL: the foundation of life to the attentive Universal Unitarian Green Team at the request of LAI At-Large Member Mary Anne Bowie. As an encore performance, Holly shared a similar presentation in February 2023 to the ECO Democrats Manatee.

The RiA Magazine article, Soil & Water The Foundation of Life, recaps the presentation outline with more in-depth information. PPT presentations are available for download on Ei Speaking Engagement page.

With her mother situated with excellent caregiving, Holly may once again focus full-time on Ei. The chrysalis stage is complete, and Ei is ready to soar within and from a robust foundation. Publication of the 2023 Ei Spring Newsletter, the first in two years, signifies Ei's wings are dry from the cocoon and ready for flight.

________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE.

About Elemental Impact:

Elemental Impact (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration. Current focus areas include Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@elementalimpact.org

Ei: Respected Journalism

UPDATE: On December 17 the Zero Waste in ACTION  Blog surpassed the 300,000 pageviews milestone; on July 17 the blog surpassed 350,000 views!

In 2016 Elemental Impact (Ei) segued from a valuable media and industry resource into respected environmental journalism. A few years earlier press interview inquiries validated Ei as recognized industry media. ... and then the prominent invitation arrived in early November:

The U.S. State Department invited Ei to join the invitation-only COP22 preview press conference call. Journalists from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times were among the respected, mainstream media on the call.

In June Ei Founder Holly Elmore, author of the Ei blogs, launched HollyElmore.com as home to the Fingertip Press. When she publishes a blog article, Holly writes a Facebook post beginning with “PREVIEW: Hot off the Fingertip Press an article …” Thus, the Fingertip Press evolved into Holly’s nomenclature for her published articles, documents and other written communication.

The Ei Blogs - The IMPACT and Zero Waste in ACTION (ZWA), gained significant readership momentum as 2016 came to a close with monumental milestones surpassed. On December 12 the IMPACT topped 100,000 views and the ZWA is mere days away from the coveted 300,000 views milestone as of this article publishing.

Along with the Ei Blogs, the Fingertip Press page features published articles in third-party magazines and industry documents prepared by Ei. The Fingertip Press was busy in the fall with the following recently published material.

Zero Waste Makes Good Business & Environmental Sense was the lead September | October, 2016 Pallet Central issue article featured on the front cover. Pallet Central is published by the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association and distributed to approximately 6,500 members and industry colleagues. The Fingertip Press wrote the article on behalf of the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council in Ei's role as Official Media Partner.

The ZWA Blog article, Zero waste moves from "best" to standard operating practices, gives an article overview along with a synopsis of the Inside Supply Management's October 2016 cover article Full Circle featuring several quotes from Holly.

In November The Comparative Case Study: Plastic Film Recycling at Two Simon Malls prepared by Ei on behalf of the Wrap Recycling Action Program, an American Chemistry Council Plastic Film Recycling Group program, was officially released at the 2016 Annual Ei Partner Meeting. The case study is listed in the Fingertip Press' Industry Documents section.

The ZWA Blog article, Comparative Case Study: Plastic Film Recycling at Two Simon Malls, announces the case study release along with an overview of the plastic film recycling program development.

In honor of the ZWA Blog's 250,000 views March milestone, the Ei Blogs: respected media & valuable industry resources article published to celebrate strong readership and acknowledge teamwork necessary to build the solid foundation. In addition, the article details interesting reader analytics.

Below is a quick blog stats overview:

The IMPACT Blog:

• 100,600 pageviews
• 120 published articles
• Average 838 pageviews per article
• Most popular article: Ei New Mission Statement (12/12) 2,845 views

The Zero Waste in ACTION Blog:

• 298,300 pageviews
• 336 published articles
• Average 888 pageviews per article
• Most popular article: Reduce First, Donate Second, Compost Third (02/11) 14,400 views; 1,190 views in last month

As Ei enters a new era of impact, the blogs play a powerful role in sharing the important work. The intent is to recognize industry pioneers and inspire others to embark on their sustainable journeys, whether in their professional or personal lives.

The U.S. State Department's press conference invitation validates Ei's respected voice as an industry journalist, with far-reaching impact into mainstream media. As a new year arrives it is gratifying witness Ei blossom into the role of a mature industry expert and leader.

Ei Awards, Recognition & Milestones

At the 2014 Annual Ei Partner Meeting, Ei founder Holly Elmore gave an Elemental Impact Overview presentation on the new three-platform approach: 1> Product Stewardship, 2> Recycling Refinement and 3> Water Use | Toxicity. The IMPACT Blog article, Ei 2014: A Year of Evolution, is a synopsis of the powerful meeting, including the history of Ei's evolution to a monumental year. 

Melissa & Holly at
Ei Partner Meeting

Melissa Selem gave the final meeting presentation: Ei ROCKS!  Melissa chronicled the awards received, recognition achieved, milestones surpassed and an update on Ei's powerful cyberspace network. PPT presentations from the meeting are available for download on the Ei Meetings & Events page.

The year started with Holly's induction into Lamba Alpha International (LAI), The Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics. The IMPACT Blog article, LAI Atlanta Chapter growing membership, influence & impact, gives an overview of the prominent organization.

As the self-appointed spokesperson for Compost, The Quiet Hero, Holly is enthusiastic to educate the impressive membership on the critical role compost plays in cultivating healthy soil. 

In April, Holly served on the host committee for a celebrated Atlanta Land Economics Weekend. The local chapter welcomed global colleagues for two days of education, presentations and tours on Atlanta land economics. The IMPACT Blog article, Atlanta Welcomes Global Land Economics Group, is a synopsis of the powerful weekend and how Atlanta shined in a global spotlight.

Atlanta was the host city for the 2014 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council Conference (USZWBC), Creating Value Through Zero Waste. In addition to serving as the conference media partner, Ei orchestrated | moderated three panels including the opening plenary panel, Atlanta's Zero Waste Story.

Holly with her USZWBC
Zero Waste Promoter Award

At the conference, Holly was presented with the Zero Heroes 2014 Zero Waste Promoter of the Year. With grateful tears Holly accepted the honor during the first-day luncheon presentation. The ZWA Blog article, Atlanta Shines as Zero Waste Conference Host City, is a recap of the USZWBC conference from Ei's perspective.

USZWBC executive director Stephanie Barger attended the 2014 Annual Ei Partner Meeting to present on their year of accomplishments and educate on the 2015 USWBC Conference, The Stars of Zero Waste, hosted in Los Angeles, CA. In her presentation, Stephanie announced Ei is the 2015 conference media partner!

In addition, Ei will orchestrate | moderate two panels at the 2015 conference: Source-Separated Materials Recycling Template and Zero Waste in Multi-Tenant Buildings. The Zero Waste in ACTION (ZWA) Blog article, 2015 Zero Waste Conference: A Star-Studded Event!, announces the 2015 conference.

Holly on stage receiving
Green Ribbon Award

Awards continued in the fall when Holly was the recipient of the Green Ribbon Award at the Atlanta Les Dames d'Escoffier International 14th Annual Afternoon in the Country. The prestigious award was given in honor of Holly's sustainability work in the foodservice industry dating back to the Green Foodservice Alliance, founded in 2007 by Holly.

When the Green Files Blog launched, Ei Pioneer Supporter Affairs to Remember Caterers (ATR) included a quote from Holly in the "Not Everything about Green is Black & White" says ATR; Atlanta's Greenest Caterer Launches the Green Files Blog press release. 

Continuing the honor, ATR listed Ei as a "distinguished guest" at a Zero Waste Zones event in their One Million Pounds Diverted From Georgia Landfills press release. In addition a quote from Holly along with the following Ei copy was included in the release:

Elemental Impact, an organization that works with organizations to help create best operating practices specific to sustainability, was an early partner to Affairs to Remember Caterers during the development of Legacy Green, the company's sustainability program.

ATR was honored by the City of Atlanta with a proclamation November 11, 2014 was Affairs to Remember Day in recognition of their one million pounds of material diverted from the landfill. In his acceptance speech, ATR general manager Rich Wilmer recognized Ei's integral role in ATR's sustainability successes.

SFCI Vendor Fair
in ATL atrium

In October Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - the busiest airport in the world - hosted the Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) Vendor Fair to educate concessionaires on the BPI certified compostable products available. Liza Milagro - ATL senior sustainability planner - gave Ei prime visibility in the SFCI Vendor Fair Program: 1> inside front cover, right-hand read page is dedicated to the SFCI and 2> inside back cover page is dedicated to Ei.

Executed in 2011, the new airport concessionaire contracts included a provision requiring food vendors to use compostable food & beverage packaging. For a history on the contract provision including the implementation plan, visit the ZWA Blog article Atlanta Airport's Leadership Role in Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging.

The March issue of the American Association of Airport Executives' Airport Magazine featured AIRBORNE KITCHEN GREASE: A New Frontier in Sustainability, A simple solution saves tremendous water use, labor and dollars an article co-authored by Michael Cheyne, ATL director of asset management & sustainability, and Holly. The ZWA Blog article, ATL Presents a Proactive Approach to Airborne Kitchen Grease (AKG), announces the article and gives an AKG overview.

Thanks to their visionary spirit, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation brings Green Streets to Atlanta as the first in a series of film screenings. A thought provoking conversation panel moderated by Sophie Constantinou, Citizen Film co-founder and director of photography, follows the film. The inaugural screening is instrumental for Green Streets and subsequent films. 

Ei is honored to co-present the Atlanta January 14 screening along with Green Streets, Urban Strategies, Citizen Film and the Fledgling Fund. The ZWA Blog article, Green Streets Comes to Atlanta!, introduces the film screening along with information on the important grass roots program.

The Ei Blogs - The IMPACT and ZWA - finished the year with impressive milestones:

• The IMPACT Blog surpassed 60,000 pageviews.
• Combined Blog pageviews surpassed 225,000 pageiviews and is closing in on 250,000 views.
• The ZWA Blog's most popular article Reduce First, Donate Second Compost Third topped 10,000 pageviews.
• On 12-13-14, a powerful number sequence, the ZWA Blog pageviews exceeded 175,000 views.

With strong industry recognition, the Ei Blogs are recognized media with solid global readership. The Ei cyberspace network is further augmented with active Twitter, LinkedIN, Facebook and Pinterest accounts. On the Ei FB page over 120 photo albums support blog articles and give a pictorial recount of Ei's important work.

With a monumental year coming to an end, Ei is staged for an exciting 2015 filled with promise of tremendous impact.