Race directors, event directors, store managers, anyone involved with hosting a gathering of runners and walkers, this session is for you. Every decision we make related to how we host our events has an impact on the environment. We don’t need to ruin the earth we run on, and if we keep doing so, we won’t have an earth to run on. It’s possible to host your event with the lowest environmental impact possible, while still creating those wow moments for your community and guests. You can even use your events as a platform to inspire change within our entire community. Runners for Public Lands put together a guide and checklist that helps race directors tackle what can seem to be an overwhelming task; incorporating environmental stewardship into your event. We’ll reference this guide to help you start thinking of ways to take the first steps toward accomplishing zero-waste at your events. Zero-waste simply means that nothing is wasted, nothing is sent to the landfill. It sounds daunting, but it’s possible. Join us for an educational session and discussion about being the change we need to see in the world.

Key Takeaways:

• Create a long-term plan that incorporates a full assessment of the current state of your event and an outline of the steps necessary in the next one, three, and five years to accomplish your goals.
• Build an understanding of which aspects of your events require a quick fix, and what will require a long-term commitment and shift in some systems or logistics.
• Cultivate diverse communities of belonging, celebrate the natural history of living landscapes, and develop cultures of environmental stewardship.