faces of the continental divide · divide is our effort to amplify your stories – the stories of...
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FACES OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Sharing Stories, Connecting Communities
July 13 - September 28, 2019
EVENT GUIDE
Made possible by:
FACES OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Thank you for joining us for Faces of the Continental Divide: Sharing Stories, Connecting Communities.We’re so excited that you’ll be joining us for this summer-long celebration of the diverse communities engaged in stewardship along the Continental Divide. Beginning at the start of Latino Conservation Week (July 13) and ending on National Public Lands Day (September 28), Faces of the Continental Divide is a summer of events and storytelling celebrating the many people and communities who treasure this special landscape.
What’s this about?This effort is about YOU – the groups and people who recreate on and steward the landscapes of the Continental Divide. We know that there are a LOT of people who value the Continental Divide, many of whom have stories that are underrepresented by the media, outdoor retailers, and conservation groups like us. Faces of the Continental Divide is our effort to amplify your stories – the stories of those who are already here, enjoying and stewarding these incredible landscapes and communities.
It’s our hope that through this series of events, we will gather stories that help tell a more complete story of the people who value public lands in the Rockies. We also aim to inspire new people to join us in caring for the unique places along the Continental Divide.
How do I participate? Host an event between July 13 and September 28. Types of events can vary greatly and can take place anywhere – not just on the Continental Divide Trail. Events can range from day hikes or backpacking trips on the CDT to a picnic in a local park to a stewardship project in your local community.
Not sure where to start? Visit continentaldividetrail.org/faces/ and check out the map to see what kind of events are already planned for this effort.
If you are a group that regularly hosts events centered on outdoor recreation or stewardship, it’s likely that an event you’ve already planned this summer can be part of Faces of the Continental Divide! By posting your event on the Faces homepage, you’ll be joining a network of organizations engaged in diversifying and stewarding public lands. That way, you’ll reach people who want to get involved but don’t know how – they’ll be able to search for and find your events on the CDTC website.
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What’s in it for me?
By hosting an event during Faces of the Continental Divide, you’ll gain access to a few resources:
Reach More People – By adding your own event to continentaldividetrail.org/faces/, you’ll reach CDTC’s network of supporters from New Mexico to Montana and all around the country (and the world)! We’ll be promoting Faces of the Continental Divide events through CDTC’s social media accounts, email marketing, and other communication channels – a potential reach of over 30,000 folks interested in recreation, stewardship, and public lands. Gain visibility for your group by joining a coalition of organizations who are working to protect public lands and create healthier communities.
Get Support for Your Event – With the help of some of our amazing outdoor gear sponsors, we’re able to support events hosted during Faces of the Continental Divide.
• Financial support – Have an idea for an awesome event you’d like to host, but don’t have the funding? CDTC has funds to support your efforts, for example, to offer transportation for participants to and from your event or to provide food during your event. To apply for funding, email a proposal of your anticipated funding needs to [email protected]. Our staff will work with you to make sure you have everything you need to host an amazing Faces of the Continental Divide event!
• Access CDTC’s gear library – Want to host an event, but need some gear to make it successful? CDTC can loan gear to your organization for FREE during Faces of the Continental Divide. Send an email with your event proposal and gear needs to [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please give CDTC ample time to accommodate gear requests.
Giveaways for Event Participants – Thanks to a Parks for All grant from Hydroflask, CDTC has some items to give to participants of Faces of the Continental Divide. Before your event, we’ll send you some cool gear to raffle off or give away to participants during your event. It’s our way of saying thank you for participating.
Event participants who submit their story on our website will also get the chance to enter our online gear giveaway. With your event package, you’ll receive instructions for participants on how to enter.
Join the Coalition – With your participation, you’ll be joining our ever-growing coalition of people and groups dedicated to stewardship in the Rocky Mountain West. We hope to continue to partner with you, even after Faces of the Continental Divide is over. Let’s work together to achieve the same goals!
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Planning Your EventHere is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your Faces of the Continental Divide Event:
1. Choose your audience. Here are some things to consider:
What group would I like to invite to my event? What are their ages? Do I want to make my event open to the public, or closed to my group only? Will there be families or kids present? What experiences do my group members already enjoy? Would my group be up for trying something new? What are the physical limitations of the members of this group? What kind of activity would be most meaningful for the group? What activities would they be excited about participating in?
2. Choose your place. Remember – your event does NOT have to take place on the CDT and can take place in your community. Some things to consider:
Where does my audience usually meet? Where do they feel comfortable? Do I want to host an inside or outside event? Does my group have any accessibility issues? Do we want to meet in an easily accessible place and carpool or shuttle to the event location? What is our plan in case of bad weather? What are the hazards associated with this location?
3. Choose your date and time. Some things to consider:
When does this group usually meet? What days and times are convenient for my group? What event length is appropriate for this group? Could I attract more people by hosting a shorter event or avoiding times when people are busy?
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4. Upload your event details to continentaldividetrail.org/faces/host.
Once you’ve decided on a place, date, and time for your event, upload all the details onto the Faces of the Continental Divide website. After you’ve uploaded your event info it will show up on our map, and folks looking for events to join will be able to see your event and participate. If your event costs money or requires participants to RSVP, be sure to include those details on the online form!
5. Advertise your event.
A good way to start is by making an event page on Facebook. Facebook events are easily shareable and help people remember that your event is approaching. You can also make flyers or posters to advertise your event. Canva and Adobe Spark are good online resources for flyers.
6. Want to host your event on the CDT, but are unfamiliar with the Trail?
Email [email protected], and we’ll give you some suggestions for CDT hikes near your community.
7. Plan a Safe Hike: The 10 Essentials
If you plan on hosting a hike, we recommend checking out American Hiking Society’s 10 Essentials of Hiking, and making sure you ask participants to bring everything they’ll need. Some of the items can be shared amongst the group and should be carried by the group leader.
8. Some other considerations:
The CDTC is helping garner attention for your group’s event, but event hosts are responsible for participant safety. CDTC assumes no risk or liability for participant health or safety. Be sure to have an emergency plan in place, especially in areas with limited cell phone coverage.
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Before Your EventReceive event materials from CDTC:
Send your mailing address and estimated number of participants to [email protected] and we’ll mail you some supplies and giveaways for your event. To guarantee your event materials will arrive in time, please email us at least two weeks before your event. If you can’t make the two week deadline – don’t sweat it. We can still send you your event materials if you have a way to distribute them to your participants after the fact. Your event package will include: Faces of the CDT apparel, Hydroflask giveaways, giveaway cards, and stickers.
About the giveaway cards:
With your event package, you’ll receive a stack of cards printed with a link to enter our gear giveaway. This is how we hope to gather some untold stories about the communities who treasure the landscapes of the Continental Divide. We ask that you encourage event participants to share a photo and a caption on the website – their submission can be about their experience at your Faces event or about their own personal experience with the outdoors. For each online submission, participants will get one entry in our gear giveaway. We’ll be choosing a winner in October.
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Social Media GuidanceTag CDTC when you post, so we can share your story and inspire others to join the celebration.
Hashtags
• #FacesoftheContinentalDivide• #ParksforAll• #DiversifyOutdoors
CDTC Social Media Handles
Facebook: Continental Divide Trail CoalitionInstagram: @cdtcoalitionTwitter: @CDNST1
Sample Short Posts (Twitter):
• Our friends at @CDNST1 are passionate about providing access to the outdoors for all. That’s why they’re hosting their summer series, #FacesoftheContinentalDivide. Find an event near you, host your own event, or tell your story at continentaldividetrail.org/faces. #ParksforAll
• Join @CDNST1 and build a connection to your public lands during #FacesoftheContinentalDivide, championed by #ParksforAll. Find an event near you, host an event, or tell your story at continentaldividetrail.org/faces.
• Join us to diversify public lands with @CDNST1 during #FacesoftheContinentalDivide, championed by @HydroFlask #ParksforAll. Find an event near you, host your own event, or tell your story at continentaldividetrail.org/faces.
• All summer long, @CDNST1 will be connecting folks to public lands with their summer series, #facesofthecontinentaldivide. Join an event near you, host an event in your community, or tell your own story of the outdoors at continentaldividetrail.org/faces. #ParksforAll
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Sample Long Posts (Facebook, Instagram, etc…)
• @cdtcoalition is passionate about making the outdoors a place we can ALL enjoy. That’s why we’re partnering with them to host an event as part of #FacesoftheContinentalDivide - events all across the Rocky Mountain West celebrating the many diverse communities who cherish and steward our incredible landscapes! Join us on [DATE] for [EVENT DESCRIPTION], or head to continentaldividetrail.org/faces to view a map of other events, tell your story of the Continental Divide, or even sign up to host your own event! #ParksforAll #DiversifyOutdoors
• Many communities love and steward the landscapes of the Rocky Mountain West, yet some groups are often left out of the picture of recreation and conservation. That’s why, all summer long, @cdtcoalition is honoring the diverse communities that live, work, and recreate on the landscapes of the Continental Divide with #FacesoftheContinentalDivide - and we’re joining in on the celebration! We’ll be [EVENT DESCRIPTION] on [DATE], and we want you to be there. Can’t make it? Check out other events, tell your story of why you love the Continental Divide, or sign up to host your own event at continentaldividetrail.org/faces. #ParksforAll #DiversifyOutdoors
• Have a special story about conservation and recreation? The @cdtcoalition wants to hear it! All summer long, they’re telling the untold stories of people who value the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains to show the outdoors are places for ALL to enjoy. Tell your story of why you love the Continental Divide and you could win free gear! Tell your story, join the @cdtcoalition to #diversifyoutdoors at an event this summer, or host your own event at continentaldividetrail.org/faces. #ParksforAll #DiversifyOutdoors
If your organization does not have a social media presence, email photos and a summary to [email protected], so we can share your efforts on CDTC’s social media accounts!
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During Your EventCollect names and contact information (email and phone number) from all your participants.
This helps track the number of people in attendance and will help us keep in touch with participants after the event. We’ll use this information to give them CDTC updates and invite them to participate in more Faces celebrations. Feel free to do this on your own sign-up list or use the attached sheet. At the end of your event, scan or take a photo of the contact list and send to [email protected] after your event.
Explain Faces of the Continental Divide; this event is a part of a greater effort across the country!
Here’s a sample script you can use:
“Thank you for coming today. This event was organized in collaboration with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition as part of their series, Faces of the Continental Divide. As a participant, you’re part of a national community of people who are stewarding their public lands. The CDTC welcomes you today. If you’re interested in attending future events like this one and connecting to other people who care about public lands, we encourage you to visit continentaldividetrail.org/faces.”
Native Land Acknowledgement
As stewards of the CDT, we at CDTC recognize that public lands were stolen from the original inhabitants of the land. Territory acknowledgement recognizes the original land stewards, who still live and work on the land today and provides a way to create awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights at your event. We recommend native-land.ca as a resource to begin to discover which indigenous peoples have lived in the place where you plan to host your event. If you’re not sure how to approach this topic at your event, here’s a simple script you can use:
“We want to recognize that the land where we stand today is the traditional territory of the [nation names].”
If you wish to go further with your native land acknowledgement, we encourage you to do more research into the native nations who live on or have inhabited the land where you’ll host your event. If there are no longer native people living there, research into why they no longer live there – are there treaties in place that served to remove indigenous people from that place? You may wish to contact an indigenous group to help provide some context to the land’s history or to ask your participants to reflect on the history of the land and its traditional inhabitants.
Some more resources for land acknowledgements:
• https://usdac.us/nativeland• https://native-land.ca/territory-acknowledgement/• https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4973371
Inclusivity
Our intention with Faces of the Continental Divide is to invite a diverse group of people to recreate on and steward their public lands. The use of inclusive language is important to make everyone feel like part of the group. Inclusive language helps respect the diverse nature of participants and is free from words and phrases that discriminate against a group of people or rely on prejudices or stereotypes of a certain group. Try to use language that is inclusive to people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnic backgrounds, ages, and abilities. For example, “folks” instead of “ladies and gentlemen.”
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Ice Breaking Activity
Depending on the number of participants, you may want to engage people at the beginning of your event by asking each person to introduce themselves, give their pronouns, and to share a personal story about the outdoors or reason for being at the event. This will help folks to get to know each other and think about their personal connection to the outdoors.
Storytelling
Hand out the giveaway cards and remind participants to upload their personal stories to continentaldividetrail.org/faces/share. They can do this from their smart phone, or do the submission when they get home. By submitting their story, they’ll be entered in our giveaway in October. We’ll be sharing stories from participants online all summer.
Photos
Be sure to take plenty of photos during your event! Most phone cameras take photos of decent quality. Make sure everyone in the photo gives you permission to photograph them. Some tips: make sure your photo has proper lighting – ensure that the faces of all subjects can be clearly seen – and turn your phone horizontally to take widescreen photos and videos – these are easier to incorporate into video recaps of our events.
Tips for Capturing Video
• Watch this 4 minute video for some quick tips.• Widescreen - When filming on a cell phone, always turn it sideways.• Steady the camera – Use two hands to hold and move the camera and move the camera SLOWLY to keep it
steady throughout the shot.• Don’t be afraid to ask people to do it again if you didn’t get the shot the first time.• Send footage to [email protected].
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After Your EventSend a recap to [email protected]. Include the following:
• A few sentences summarizing your event.• Event Date • How many people attended?• What was the age range of attendees?• Any reactions or quotes from attendees.• Anything else you’d like us to know?• A list of attendees and their contact information so we can say thanks and stay in touch.• Any photos you took during the event.
Follow us on social media to see a recap of your event!
Facebook: Continental Divide Trail CoalitionInstagram: @cdtcoalition
THANK YOU for helping us make Faces of the Continental Divide a success. It wouldn’t be possible without the help of amazing partners like you!
This project was made possible by a grant award from Hydro Flask’s Parks for All program, a donation from REI Co-Op, and in-kind donations from Osprey.
FACES OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDEName How can we get in touch with you? (email/phone)