SHIFT Festival 2019
Jackson, WyomingNature as Medicine
Started in 2015, SHIFT (Shaping How We Invest For Tomorrow) is a program of the Center for Jackson Hole—a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen the coalition of interests devoted to our public lands by investing in the future of their constituencies.
Through the SHIFT Festival, which explores issues at the intersection of conservation, outdoor recreation and cultural relevance; and the Emerging Leaders Program, which trains a culturally diverse cohort of young outdoor recreationists to lead the conservation conversation; these two programs advance cutting-edge ideas that are revitalizing the American conservation movement.
The 2019 SHIFT Festival’s theme was “Nature as Medicine.” The event was a continuation of 2018’s public health theme in how natural allies in outdoor recreation, conservation, land management and health care can work together to advance and promote the benefits of time outside on our public lands. By highlighting the health benefits of nature, we can raise its value proposition in a time of unprecedented threat.
SHIFT connects businesses, nonprofits, elected leaders, athletes, journalists, and many more stakeholders from around the country to overcome the risk of fragmentation and lack of diversity in the fight to protect public lands. Come to the “crucible for conservation”—Jackson Hole, and enjoy passionate and empowering presentations, discussions, workshops, and films as well as the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in all of their autumn glory.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future
“Three years in a row, we have become a STOKE Certified event. After improving to the Sustainable level in 2018, we’re proud to have held onto that status for 2019 with a different scope of the event,” said Christian Beckwith, Director of SHIFT. “We’re grateful to the folks at STOKE, Mac Dukart and the amazing community partners that have made this possible over the years.”
Going forward, our sustainability goals remain the same, but with more engagement:
- Embed the cost of offsetting attendee travel into the price of admission. Educate attendees on their role in nature-based solutions.
- Increase the number of local residents in Jackson who sign on to the Lower Valley Energy Green Power program to source more clean energy from local wind farms.
- Reduce the amount of outside waste brought in by attendees and suppliers to the event and strive for a 90%+ diversion rate.
Thank you for taking in an interest in SHIFT and our fight to protect public lands and we hope to see you at the next SHIFT Summit.
Christian Beckwith – Director