TEDxAlgonquinPark, Tweet by Tweet

Thanks to everyone who shared stories from TEDxAlgonquinPark on Twitter! Check them out below...

A Sneak Peek at This Year's Speakers

Thinking about attending TEDxAlgonquinPark: Think Outside this year? We have a great line up for you! Here's just some of what's in store:

• Ever wonder what its like to be a bear? Dr. Martyn Obbard shares the ecological and evolutionary drivers in a year in the life of a bear. 
• Learn the power of the map on the users' experience with Jeffrey McMurtrie. Explore the puzzle of the map-making process, including the integration of new content from multiple sources. 
• Head to the interior more often and for longer! Kevin Callan encourages you to get out and explore.  

And here's more info on our speakers:

Martyn Obbard

Martyn Obbard: Dr. Martyn Obbard is a Research Scientist with the Wildlife Research and Development Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources based in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada and an Adjunct Professor in the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program at Trent University in Peterborough.  Martyn has studied black bears and polar bears in Ontario since he joined the Wildlife Research Section of OMNR in 1989. He has been involved in several long-term black bear research projects—in the boreal forest (1989-2001), on the Bruce Peninsula (1998-2006) and in Algonquin Park (2006-present).  These projects have focussed on black bear demographics, effects of hunting, habitat use, denning requirements, effects of forestry, and human-bear conflicts.  Martyn is a member of the Canadian Polar Bear Technical Committee and the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group. Martyn’s polar bear research is focused on the Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation that occurs in James Bay and eastern Hudson Bay.

Jeffrey McMurtrie

Jeffrey McMurtrie: Jeffrey went on his first Algonquin canoe trip at the age of 8 and has been loving it ever since, now having spent more than 500 days travelling it's lakes and rivers. He loved it so much, he decided to create his own map of the park. He combined all of the information on the park that he could find – books, historic maps, trip logs, personal experience, and the contributions of hundreds of other Algonquinites – to make the most comprehensive map he could. He now offers it for free online.







Kevin Callan (a.k.a. The Happy Camper): Kevin is the author of fifteen books, including the best selling “The Happy Camper”, a popular series of paddling guides, and the most reviewed “Wilderness Pleasures: A Practical Guide to Camping Bliss”. On a regular basis, he presents across North America and has been a key speaker at major outdoor events for over 25 years.

Kevin Callan

Kevin is also a frequent guest on radio and television, is a field editor and blogger for Explore magazine and is a columnist for CanoeRoots Magazine. He has hosted several television and film projects and is a frequent host on a number of morning television and radio shows. Callan is a winner of five National Magazine Awards and three film awards was bestowed the honour of Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada.

If that's not enough to convince you to apply to attend, here are some blog reports from people who attended last year, along with our own recap of the event:

Algonquin Outfitters - http://algonquinoutfitters.com/blog/agonquin-outfitters/tedx-algonquin-park-2012-invested/
Trail Swag - http://trailswag.ca/2012/9/7/trail-swag-reports-tedxalgonquinpark-2012
Algonquin Adventures - http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1347068878/last-1347279817/Back+From+TEDx+Algonquin+Park!
TEDxAlgonquinPark - http://tedxalgonquinpark.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-tedxalgonquinpark-experience.html

You can only attend if you apply and applications close August 2, so hurry and apply now! If you're not sure yet if you'll be available on September 5, apply anyhow. You can always decline if you're accepted, but if you don't apply your opportunity will be gone forever! (Spaces are limited...thus the need for applications.)

We hope to see you in September!

The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing: Nature is good for you

Anyone who has spent significant time in nature knows its beneficial, relaxing effects. In Japan, they’ve elevated the experience to an art form with the practice of shinrin-yoku—forest bathing or forest therapy.

The process is simple: get outside, focus on your environment using all of your senses, and relax.

If you want to read more about the practice, here are some links to get you started:
Your Brain on Nature: Forest Bathing and Reduced Stress. Mother Earth NewsTake Two Hours of Pine Forest and Call Me in the Morning, Outside MagazineJapan's Forest Therapy tracks healing powers of forests, Treehugger

And until you can get outside, here's a video created by TEDxAlgonquinPark 2012 speaker Adam Ruzzo that will get you in the spirit, Western Upland Sketches: An Original Music and Video Tribute to Algonquin Park.

TEDxAlgonquin Park 2013 is Thursday, September 5. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss announcements about our speaker line-up and attendee applications!

Adam van Koeverden at TEDxAlgqonuinPark 2012: On the Virtue of Hard Work

Are you thinking about applying to be a speaker at TEDxAlgonquinPark 2013? Here's a taste of what it looks like.

Olympic gold-medal kayaker Adam van Koeverden shares his experiences training in Algonquin Park in this engaging talk from TEDxAlgonquinPark 2012.




If you're considering applying, also check out these tips from TED Prize winner George Aye: http://www.greatergoodstudio.com/how-to-prepare-for-your-ted-talk/.

Our speaker application deadline has been extended to June 13. If you have an idea worth spreading that fits our theme Think Outside, we want to hear from you! Apply here: http://www.tedxalgonquinpark.com/speakers/.

Meet our Operations Lead: Lacey Rose

Lacey on Whitson Lake

I was lucky enough to attend TEDxAlgonquinPark last September.  Besides watching a few TED talks, this was my big introduction to the TED scene.  There is something about sitting in a room full of receptive, open minds that is inspiring in itself, especially since every person in the room that day had their own special connection to Algonquin Park.  I learned a lot and walked away with a renewed sense of optimism.  I got involved with the planning of this year's TEDxAlgonquinPark mainly for that reason: to be part of something positive and be surrounded by energetic, interested people who are receptive to "ideas worth spreading".  I think after attending a TED event, most people walk away feeling inspired and hopeful. 

Algonquin Park is a very special place to me.  I had some incredible experiences there while working a few years ago, and continue to have adventures there on a regular basis on interior camping trips and day hikes.  I make sure anyone who comes to visit me from afar gets the "Algonquin Park Experience", seeing the highlights of the East side.  My livelihood is also somewhat connected to Algonquin Park - the world-class sustainable forest management that takes place there supplies a large portion of the wood supply for the area I live and work in as a forester, and sustains many communities and families here. 

I am very happy to be part of the TEDxAlgonquinPark team, as the Operations Lead.  I'm looking forward to planning some Adventures for you to partake in - stay tuned!!  

Get Outside: Connecting with nature is good for you

At TEDxAlgonquinPark, it's no secret that we love the outdoors. We spend so much time outside that sometimes it can be hard to remember that some people never have the opportunity (or the desire) to be out in the woods, at a lake, or hiking up hills and mountains. That's a tragedy, but particularly so when it comes to children. In this TEDxRedDeer talk, Jim Robertson talks about the importance of Connecting Young Children to Nature.


If you want to learn more, be sure to check out the book that Jim recommends in his talk - Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv.

Do you have an inspiring idea to share that relates to our theme Think Outside? Speaker nominations for TEDxAlgonquinPark are now open. Apply here!

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!

Listen Differently: Adam Ruzzo at TEDxAlgonquin Park 2012

There are many benefits to exploring nature. Perhaps one of the most profound is its transformational effect: it forces us to see the world differently.

At TEDxAlgonquinPark 2012, guitarist Adam Ruzzo made us listen to nature differently. In his TEDx Talk, Adam created a living musical landscape by imitating sounds from Algonquin Park on guitar. "After being so taken by this amazing place, I decided to express its beauty through music," says Adam. "I figure if painters and photographers can do it visually, why can’t I do it through sound?”

Watch Adam's TEDxAlgonquinPark Talk:

TEDxAlgonquinPark will be back in the Fall of 2013. Get ready for more amazing speakers who will challenge you to think differently about Algonquin Park, nature and your place in the world. Details coming soon. If you haven't signed up for our newsletter yet, don't miss out on the announcement of this year's theme and date! Sign up here. 

Apply to Attend TEDxAlgonquinPark

As of today, we’re exactly 1 week and 3 months away from the big day, September 6^th. The TEDxAlgonquinPark team is excited to see something that was originally just an idea, start to come together piece by piece. Over the next month, one of the most important parts of the day will come together – the audience!

From June 1-30, a short application will be available on our website under “Apply to Attend,” for people wishing to purchase a ticket to the event on September 6^th. While the application process may at first seem odd, we’ve decided that due to three main factors, accessing tickets to the event via a short application made the most sense for TEDxAlgonquinPark.

1. Space Limitations– Our venue only holds approximately 100 people, making this a very concrete limit to the number of people that can attend.
2. TEDx Guidelines – At TEDx events around the world, the concept of curation is used to form a diverse and balanced audience. With only 100 seats, we felt that a first come first serve ticketing process wasn’t the fairest nor best way to encourage diversity. The curation process of having people demonstrate their interest in the event was deemed the best option.
3. Commitment Level – With any event, there are a standard number of ‘no-shows,’ people that had good intentions of attending, but ]ed, other priorities came up, and they aren’t able to make it. Because of the distance of the venue from populations, if a ticket holder cannot make it to the event without prior notice, it will be very difficult for someone else to make it to the venue to enjoy the event. By taking the 15 minutes to fill out the application, you’ve demonstrated a level of commitment that says to us you’ll try your darndest to be there.

Obviously, this application process won’t be without its difficult decisions - we sincerely wish that everyone who wants to attend TEDxAlgonquinPark could buy a ticket and enjoy the event.

Who should apply?

Anyone interested in Algonquin Park and surrounding communities. You don’t need to be a prodigy to attend, we’re looking for people with all backgrounds. We’re looking for engaged people with their own ideas. Whether you’re a long time TED talk fan, your TEDxAlgonquinPark will be your first experience, we want you there! Don’t let the application process intimidate you – you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!

"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.

Timberfest: Mardi Gras in the Ottawa Valley

We're thrilled to welcome Vanessa Van Decker to the team as a blogger. Here at TEDxAlgonquinPark, one of our goals for the organization is to engage the younger generation in building this great community, and Vanessa is already emerging as a community leader. We think you'll enjoy her first piece on Barry's Bay Timberfest, and we're looking forward to hearing more!
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In many cultures there is a last hurrah  before the fasting of lent begins and in the Ottawa valley, Timberfest is our version of mardi gras . This past weekend, Feb. 16-20, people flocked to Barry’s Bay from near and far for the Timberfest celebrations.

     
     On Thursday the winter festival began with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the arena. MPP John Yakabuski, Mayor David Schulist and Phil Conway chopped the ribbon with an axe. Shortly afterwards the Miss Timberfest Pageant began. Twelve beautiful Ladies vied for the title of miss Timberfest and in the end Emily Weatherbed, the student council president from Madawaska Valley District High School was crowned Timberfest Queen.

     Meanwhile, Thursday evening on the ice surface was a different scene. The Barry’s Bay midget Bears faced off against Renfrew in a game of hockey. Over the weekend many hockey games were played at the arena while lumberjack competitions were held outside. Lumbermen faced off in events such as ax throwing and chair carving to prove their skill. Many community members also participated in nail driving competitions. If none of those activities interested you there was also a mechanical bull ride, snowmobile runs, horse-drawn sleigh rides, balloon twisting and a live band.

     A beavertail stand was open selling delicious steaming pastries to satisfy hungry visitors. The line up was usually long because everyone wanted a taste of the delicious treat. We moved along quickly coming making friends with those near us in line along the way. Beavertails originated in Killaloe, and as you can imagine the Killaloe sunrise, topped with cinnamon sugar and lemon, was a popular choice on the menu this weekend.

     
     The ski hill, Madawaska Mountain was buzzing with activity for the Timberfest Celebration. There was a large crowd of skiers and boarders who took advantage of the sun and snow on Saturday and Sunday. It was a great weekend to be at the ski hill.

There was also a community festival in Killaloe on Saturday night including family skating, outdoor activities and a moccasin dance.

     

      Many university students who were home for reading week and adults who took advantage of family day weekend came out to the festivities. This winter festival was a great place to catch up with friends and family or meet someone new. Timberfest has something for everyone and is a wonderful Ottawa Valley celebration. Those who come from near and far know it is the place to be on family day weekend.

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. 

Why I got involved…

Summertime on Golden Lake

It didn’t take long, while I was living in Ottawa, to realize what growing up in a rural community really meant to me. After spending four years living in the city I realized how much I was drawn back to Killaloe and the Valley. Once back I realized the enormous pleasures of being in a rural setting where your closest neighbour is 2 km away but the deer and wolves run freely in your front yard (not together of course). Not being one for TV I learned quickly that I needed to find something to occupy my time . When approached by Megan Summers about co-organizing TEDxAlgonquinPark I thought what better timing. I look forward to sharing our experience with everyone. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to send me an e-mail paige.afelskie@tedxalgonquinpark.com.

Please check out one of my favourite TED talks http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_weekday_vegetarian.html

Please support your local organic farmers... or become a 'weekday veg.'

Paige

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

Canadian Art History in the Park

Artists, Phil Chadwick, Tony Bianco and Robert Batemen have all been influenced by Algonquin Park, resulting in impeccable Canadian landscape art, which shall continue on as part of our Canadian Art History. None shall remain more famous than Tom Thomson.

Known for his influence on the Group of Seven, Tom was instantly enthused when visiting Canoe Lake Station in 1912. Algonquin Park became such an inspiration that he took residency on Canoe Lake shortly after in 1914, working as a fire fighter and park guide until he found that this work took away from his painting.

For the next three years, the beauty and tranquility of the park inspired the Jack Pine, the West Wind and the Northern River. The aforementioned paintings were among his most celebrated.

Below are the Jack Pine and the West Wind respectively:

In 1917, under mysterious circumstances, Tom drowned on Canoe Lake. A great story that reads like a conspiracy novel, he died on the same lake that provided his home, food and creative inspiration. This painting, April in Algonquin Park, was completed only months before his passing.

As part of his legacy, he is regarded by some, as having the same level of skill as Picasso and the Group of Seven that he emboldened. You can find some of his collection at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. Download a podcast of his biography here.

For more insight on Tom Thomson, here are some thoughts from some Canadian Leaders and Television Personalities:

Governor General David Johnston

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Rick Mercer

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?