Create A Nature-Based Neighborhood Event!

With some ingenuity and planning, you can create a nature-based event in your own neighborhood.

 

• Select a topic people are interested in, i.e. butterflies.

• Select a site that is big enough to accommodate the event you envision, and with walkability and parking available.

• Be prepared for weather.  EZ-UP canopies and patio umbrellas provide some cover from sun and rain.

• Never be afraid or ashamed to ask to borrow something, i.e. a canopy or patio umbrella, raffle items, etc. 

  • No matter what type of neighborhood you live in, there are people with great talents and expertise who are interested in what you are doing.

• Ask for volunteers to help with whatever you need.  Volunteers will tell their friends about your event and help spread the word!

• Form partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. 

  • Partners can provide PR for your event

  • Partners can furnish handouts and give-aways

  • Partners can provide experts in the field to participate in your event

• Send out Press Releases!

  • Invite the press! 

• Activities, activities, activities! 

  • If this is a child-oriented/family event, keeping children busy and happy is essential!  Crafts should be easy enough to make within a few minutes.

  • Plan to have twice as much supply on hand as you expect to need.  "A happy child is a happy parent!"

  • Raffles

  • Prizes

• Have a website!  Here are two free website building sites:  Wix  and Square Space

• SOCIAL NETWORKS!  It is essential to have a Facebook presence.  The other social networking sites also add a lot of excitement and publicity possibilities

 

• • NatureHood Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/NatureHood.SpringfieldMO

  • Twitter - @NatureHood417

  • Google+ NatureHood

 

• KEEP THE MESSAGE SIMPLE! 

  • "To help our butterflies and bees, plant one native plant, and do not use chemcicals on or around that plant."

• Demonstrate some simple things people can do.  Have examples available for people to see, touch, and examine:

  • "Insect watering stations" or "Bumble Bee Abodes".  Very simple things people can create in their own homes that will help willdlife.

• Have a sign-up sheet for followup.  Get people's email or other information and stay in touch with them!

• THANK YOU NOTES!  Be sure you show your appreciation to everyone who contributed anything to your event!

 

• HAVE FUN!!

 

BE AN ACTIVE AND VISIBLE PART OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!  The more you participate in neighborhood events - and neighborhood social media sites - the more readily people will recognize you and be willing to help and/or attend

 

If there are other events in your neighborhood, think about having a table at one or more of those events.  You can have hand-outs, activities, and information about any events you plan to do in the future.

 

This TEDx talk by Jason Roberts describes how he organized several events and brought change to his neighborhood. 

 

Jason's tips include: 

 

• Give youself/the event a name

• Have s short timeframe -

  • a month or less - in order to not talk yourself out of going through with the event.

• Blackmail yourself -

  • put out flyers with the date, time, and location - that way you cannot back out!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntwqVDzdqAU