Mobilize GenWise

http://sites.google.com/site/mobilizegenwise/Home

Initial Summary of Mobilize GenWise

This was written before the Think Tank gathered in Missoula.  Much of the content is consistent with the ideas of the Think Tank, but some information has changed.  Updates coming soon…

Mobilize GenWise

 

Mobilize GenWise is a new national campaign that will harness the social networking power of young adults – Generation “Ys” – and help them put their social capital to work for outdoor recreation, conservation, health, community-building, adventure, education and fun.  The campaign will provide them with the knowledge and skills to play outside together, engage their peers and teach others those same skills through volunteer service and job programs.  Mobilize GenWise will empower young citizens by giving them a platform for participation and leadership as they assume responsibility for their communities, their nation and the planet.

 

Mobilize GenWise is being spearheaded by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program, working in conjunction with the national Children and Nature movement that was catalyzed by the publication of Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods in 2005.  Now in development, Mobilize GenWise is expected to go live on June 13, 2009 for National Get Outdoors Day, with robust online presence, active partnerships, dynamic recreation and conservation events, and volunteer and job programs for young adults.

 

Mobilize GenWise will:

Ì CONNECT with Gen Y’s social networking power on Web 2.0 and mobile technologies

û Knowledge Center – “how to’s” for outdoor recreation activity skills, conservation strategies, sustainable practices and more

û Resource Center – events, programs and opportunities to learn and lead

û Community Center – Gen Ys can make Mobilize GenWise their own, collaborate with professional mentors and share their innovations and creativity

Ì ENGAGE Gen Ys in recreation and conservation activities

û Learning Opportunities – develop technical skills for outdoor recreation activities; discover science through hands-on experience in the natural world

û Leading Opportunities – teach technical skills to others; inspire others to explore environmental arts and sciences

û Volunteer Service and Paid Job Opportunities – teach and lead in parks and wild places, sponsored by Mobilize GenWise and partners

Ì EMPOWER Gen Ys to live up to their potential – personally and professionally – as energized and active citizens

û Partner Participation – foster partnerships with all recreation- and conservation-associated fields, including but not limited to:

Urban & rural community      recreation	Environmental arts, sciences &      communication
Public health	Education
Community agriculture	Outdoor retail industry
Renewable energy	Alternative transportation
Social wellness	Green job corps
Green economics

 

 

Background

The Children and Nature movement that began to coalesce in earnest with the 2005 publication of Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods, has dedicated a great deal of time, energy and money to developing nature and recreation programs for children – primarily young children – and their families.  The goal of this movement has been to expose, educate and engage young children in the natural world to reconnect them with nature and help them develop an appreciation for America’s wild places.  Conservation and outdoor recreation professionals have hoped that these experiences will instill a love for playing outside, motivation to model stewardship and a lifelong desire to support and participate in the conservation movement.

 

Many young children and their parents have taken advantage of the opportunities made available by this movement, but many older children and young adults may have been left out.  This group is known as Generation Y – young adults in their ‘tweens to early 30-somethings who:

·         grew up in the information age with computer, internet and mobile technologies at their fingertips;

·         were taught to consume and expect to be marketed to on an individual level;

·         possess an innate drive toward serving the social good;

·         want flexibility, transparency and for everything to be open source;

·         are accustomed to a larger, more diverse population than any previous American generation;

·         live in urban centers to a larger degree than did previous generations;

·         value lifestyle over jobs, leisure and family time over money;

·         are knowledgeable and concerned about the tremendous environmental problems and impending changes facing our planet; and who

·         participate in “slacktivism” because there are too many causes with hurdles that seem impossible to overcome.

Generation Y is gaining social power (just look at the youth activity in the recent presidential campaign) and preparing to take the reins of the work force from the retiring Baby Boomer population.  These two generations have a great deal to teach one another, and they need more partnership and reciprocal mentorship opportunities.  Generation Y is coming into their own, but the conservation and outdoor recreation community has not discovered exactly how to communicate with young adults in a manner meaningful to them, nor has the conservation community learned how to transform such a connection into actual outdoor recreation, stewardship or conservation activity. 

 

Mobilize GenWise is intended to fill that void, to communicate with Generation Y on their terms, to provide them with opportunities for exciting outdoor experiences and to give them opportunities to lead as citizens and as recreation and conservation professionals.  Mobilize GenWise seeks to legitimize the role of Generation Y in the conservation movement and to empower them to find and define their own voice as they engage one another and the whole country in the enjoyment and protection of their natural world.  Generation Y possesses the skills, knowledge and wisdom to forge a new direction and enthusiasm for the conservation movement.  Mobilize GenWise hopes to give them the experience and tools to create their own models for environmental leadership, programs to implement and strategies for the revitalization of conservation and outdoor recreation in America.