Why bother leaving the house?

Ben Saunders begins his TED Talk with this two-part question: "Philosophically, does the constant supply of information steal our ability to imagine or replace our dreams of achieving? After all, if it is being done somewhere by someone, and we can participate virtually, then why bother leaving the house?"

As a polar explorer, he gets farther out of the house than most of us, but the lessons he's learned apply whether you're a world traveller, a backcountry enthusiast or never stray farther than your back yard.

TEDxAlgonquinPark is less than 2 months away! Watch for announcements about speakers and attendee applications coming in the next few weeks. If you haven't already signed up for our newsletter, do that here (you'll be among the first to get the scoop!)

Meet our Social Media Manager: Dawn Huddlestone

Hiking in Algonquin Park with my family :)

I’ve been a fan of TED Talks since the first time I watched one. I was enthralled by the new ideas they offered, by the intimacy of the presentations (evident even on video) and by the passion of the speakers. At one time I vowed to watch all of the TED Talks videos (I came close!) but with the introduction of TEDx that soon became an impossible task. That’s not a bad thing. I’m impressed by the number of inspiring people out there who have ideas worth spreading.

I’ve wanted to be involved with a TED event since I first heard about the conference. I’m thrilled that there’s now a TEDx event in my little part of the world that’s sharing big ideas from local speakers. 

TEDxAlgonquinPark aligns with both my love of nature and my love for new ideas. As the Social Media Manager for TEDxAlgonquinPark, I’m excited that I get to share new ideas with you, both those from our speakers and those from the larger TED community. Please follow along on Facebook and Twitter (@TEDxAlgonquinPk) and share your ideas with us, too!

"On September 6^th we want to know – How are you InvesTED in Algonquin Park?"

The TEDxAlgonquinPark event will be embracing the theme of InvesTED by focusing on the ways conservation, recreation and forestry groups have contributed and plan to contribute to the area in the future. Canada’s oldest provincial park is a place of inspiration to some, and a livelihood to others. Perhaps you are a seasoned camper, or maybe just a first time hiker to the Barron Canyon lookout. You could have passed through on Highway 60 with your camera ready, hoping to see a moose. Some of you may have a deep understanding of this diverse land as an explorer and protector of the parks ecosystem or rich cultural heritage. Maybe you have called Algonquin Park home while attending a summer camp, working in the industrial logging sector, or performing wildlife research. Although Algonquin Park means something different to each of us we are all deeply invested; physically, emotionally, and financially.

Recreation thrives in this popular tourist destination as we invest in our own well-being and create opportunities to experience and celebrate nature. Conservation of the park’s flora and fauna is an investment towards new life, growth, and understanding through environmental and wildlife research. Sustainable resource management and economic benefits are achieved through investing in a managed forestry sector within the parks borders.  

September 6^th marks a day to celebrate yesterday’s investments and to look ahead to investing in the future. We challenge you to view Algonquin Park in a new light in order to strengthen and share your investment. TEDxAlgonquinPark will serve as a vehicle of discussion, sparking new ideas towards amplifying this investment within each of us.   

tedxalgonquinpark.com

March 1st: Save the Date!

Exciting things are around the corner for TEDxAlgonquinPark 2012.  We will be launching the new website on March 1^st, 2012.  Visit us at: www.TEDxAlgonquinPark.com on Thursday to learn more about the event and the team. 

We are also excited to be revealing the theme for TEDxAlgonquinPark 2012.  The theme captures the energy of TED to keep spreading new ideas.  In an effort to foster a positive atmosphere and productive event our intention in developing the theme was to ensure that stakeholders in the Forestry, Conservation and Recreation industry would find that it resonates with each one of them. 

Stay tuned for the big launch of this exciting theme on March 1^st, 2012.

Meet our Operations Lead: Courtney Sinclair

Not only is she busying thinking up creative ways to make sure TEDxAlgonquinPark is the most exciting and smooth-running event you've been to, Courtney's also the gal behind our social media accounts. Drop her a line on our Facebook Page or at Twitter.com/TEDxAlgonquinPk

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This past December I returned home to beautiful Golden Lake after 4.5 years of studying Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University - and what a long 4.5 years it was! While I was away it took me just about that long to realize that it wasn't the math, the calculations and formulae, or even the theories that brought me joy. It was much more than that. What I really enjoyed were the challenges, the friendly competition, being exposed to new ideas and technologies, and working with my classmates to solve problems.

I came back wanting to have a bigger voice and to use my knowledge and know how to bring a positive experience to this unique area I call home. I talked with Megan to see what TEDxAlgonquinPark was all about. It seemed like a pretty neat opportunity - exactly what I was looking for. I welcomed TEDxAlgonquinPark as a new challenge and an opportunity to really get to know my neighbours and connect with my community. 

I am so excited and pleased to have been accepted, along with Megan, to the TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar. At this week long conference we will be proudly representing the Ottawa Valley while meeting with other TEDx organizers to spark up new conversations and get inspired. We can't wait to return home full of ideas and to share a great experience with you at TEDxAlgonquinPark in September.

Check out a few of my favourite TED talks..

Fly with the Jetman - Yves Rossy. Some beautiful views!!

http://www.ted.com/talks/yves_rossy_fly_with_the_jetman.html

What do you get when you cross a plane with a car? A flying car? Nope - A plane that drives. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/anna_mracek_dietrich_a_plane_you_can_drive.html

Courtney

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Keep up to date and support Courtney on her journey to the TEDxSummit by visiting this link:

Help Court Get to Doha!

TEDxSummit 2012

Well folks, it’s official. TEDxAlgonquinPark be attending TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar. I’m crazy excited to be representing the team at the summit, which will bring together TEDx organizers from all over the world. I’ll be participating in workshops for TEDx licensees, talking to TED Fellows and TED Prize Winners, and collaborating with other organizers.

I can’t wait to bring the passion and inspiration from this event back to TEDxAlgonquinPark!

 About TEDxSummit

TEDxSummit will bring together TEDx organizers from around the world for a week of workshops, collaborative projects, regional and cross-regional brainstorming, talks, special events and cultural activities. The 2012 event, to be held in Doha, Qatar, will be the first time this amazing global TEDx community is gathering in person to formulate a shared vision for the future of the TEDx platform. 

What is TEDxAlgonquinPark?

TEDxAlgonquinPark is an independently organized community event, designed to spark new ideas and conversations. This one day event will have 6-7 speakers presenting ideas relating to the topics of Recreation, Conservation and Forestry, plus performances from various local artists. These topics are too vast to properly explain to an audience in one day, so rather than trying to explain the topic in its entirety, speakers are being sought with an idea relating to the topic, than can be easily explained in 20 minutes (might be very specific, or more broad).

TEDx conferences are modeled after the original annual TED conferences which are week long conferences featuring experts from around the world. Talks from the original TED conferences are available at TED.com and highlight ideas from some of the world’s leading minds on any topic from neurosurgery to history. TEDx conferences (the x denotes an independently organized event) were created to bring that energy and innovation to a community level.

TEDxAlgonquinPark has three primary objectives:

1. Promote the park’s surrounding communities and their rich heritages
2. Develop and stronger sense of community spirit by creating an event that the local communities are involved in and can take pride in.
3. Provide the audience with a more well-rounded view of the park by highlighting ideas in forestry, as well as conservation and recreation.

A TEDx conference is an ideal vehicle for these goals because of the atmosphere of new connections and ideas. We hope to introduce the audience to new ways of thinking about the park and their local communities. TEDx events customarily provide a positive environment in which to do this, and we are taking measures to keep the event positive and non-political.

Sunset at Little Otterslide Lake

How It All Began

It was 4 years ago this September that I moved to Waterloo to go to university. During my first year, when you met someone new, the conversation almost invariably started with "So, where are you from?" I met people from around the world, China, Norway, Korea, Italy and across Canada, BC, Newfoundland and everywhere in between. Of course, I'd have a hard time trying to explain exactly where I was from. It was hard for most to comprehend that I didn't have any neighbours for most of the year, or that the largest town near me didn't have stoplights, just a really big stop sign in the middle of town.


One thing I immediately noticed, was that no one seemed to have the same love that I did for tiny little Killaloe and surrounding area. For some reason, Mississauga and Hong Kong just didn't create the same vivid memories that I had. Can you blame them? I've always been told that there are two kinds of people in this world. There are people that are from Killaloe, and there are people that wish they were. I quickly realized I'm lucky to be in the first group.

What does TEDxAlgonquinPark have to do with this?

TEDxAlgonquinPark is a project that Paige Afelskie and I have been working on. TED is a nonprofit devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading". Every year, they hold 2 conferences with renowned expert speakers on very niche topics (I've included 3 of my favorites below. The best way for me to describe TEDtalks is for you to watch one.) As these TED talks gained popularity around the world, a new idea sprang forward. What if every community could experience these conferences, and start positive, innovative discussions around the issues in their community. And so, TEDx events were born (x denotes an independently organized event). These events are modeled on the original TED conferences and have so much community backing, they become as high quality as the originals.

Paige and I started working on TEDxAlgonquinPark in October. We're working on a vision that will incorporate different aspects of Algonquin Park, specifically ideas focusing on conservation, recreation and forestry within the park. In our hometown, people rely heavily on the park for their livelihoods and recreation. Directly, many of our friends have jobs working in the interior or campgrounds, or their involved in the lumber industry in sawmills surrounding the park. Many of our friends from further away look at the park primarily as a place for tourism. And everyone has a shared interest in keeping the beauty of Algonquin Park intact for generations to come.

Megan Summers

What is TEDx?