Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/22/2021 - 09/23/2021
12:00 am

Categories

Radically Rural builds sustainability and success for rural life and places by building a network that connects people to each other and to new ideas. The annual Radically Rural Summit is divided into seven different program tracks that feature topics offering strategic opportunities for transformation in rural communities.

We are excited to once again organize the Land & Community Track at the the 2021 Radically Rural Summit, being offered as a live event in Keene or virtually, September 22-23rd, 2021.

The Land & Community Track will have three sessions:

Session 1: Rural as Refuge?

• Anecdotal evidence from the United States and elsewhere suggests that urban residents moved to rural communities as a response to the COVID19 pandemic. Prior to this, much urban to rural migration was driven by individuals and households seeking out new residential locations in areas offering unique environmental qualities. This session reports on urban to rural migration trends at the national scale in recent years focusing on evidence of rural migration during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This macro scale perspective is followed by evidence from a set of Vermont case studies exploring migration’s impacts on rural communities and asking new residents what they make of their new rural homes. We conclude by discussing the ways in which in-migration can serve as a force of community improvement and reinvestment highlighting how rapid in-migration may influence landscapes, planning, civic engagement, and social life in small towns.

Speakers: Dr. Cheryl Morse, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Vermont; Peter Nelson, Professor, Middlebury College

Session 2: Exploring Nature, Renewing Communities

• More and more rural communities are embracing the natural landscape as a cornerstone of their economy. During this session, we will share success stories of communities across the nation that are keeping outdoors recreation front and center for the health of their people and economy. Improved health outcomes, increased tourism dollars, and enhanced land stewardship and sense of place for local residents is the result of activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking.

Speakers: Stephanie Bertaina, Senior Policy Analyst, U.S. EPA Office of Community Revitalization; Megan Lawson, Economist, Headwaters Economics; Elyse Peters, Former Director, Walker County Health Action Partnership; Caitrin Maloney, Co-Owner, Sustainable Trailworks; Sarah Pelkey, Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Poultney

Session 3: Native Tribes Lead on Environmental Stewardship

• Native communities across America are providing leadership and modeling ways to take action against climate change and the greatest environmental challenges of our time. This session will explore how traditional ecological knowledge is informing natural resources management strategies and offering important perspectives on climate adaptation and resiliency. Sustaining their cultural heritage and the land on which it is deeply rooted provide inspiration to ensure that future generations have access to healthy water, soil, and strong wildlife populations.

Speakers: Nikki Colley Diné, Co-manager, Tribes & Climate Change Program – Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP); Casey Thornbrugh; Shavonne Smith, Environmental Director, Shinnecock Environmental Department

Ticket costs vary, register online at: https://registration.socio.events/e/radicallyrural

If you have questions regarding the Land & Community Track please email amanda@cheshireconservation.org or call 603-756-2988 x4.