Hike-a-Thon App

TennGreen Land Conservancy's award-winning and innovative Hike-a-Thon fundraising event encourages individuals and teams to hike, paddle, trail run, mountain bike, and climb throughout the world and raise funds for conservation. In only it's third year, the event has seen spectacular growth and there is no question that it will continue to engage varied communities throughout Tennessee and beyond to create change. However, the technology to support the event--including tracking miles/feed through these various activities, competition reporting, constituent engagement, and peer-to-peer fundraising--does not exist. If awarded, TennGreen will connect with SpherePayments or another developer to create an app that will be the solution to these needs, plus create a solution for other conservation/environmental organizations who wish to replicate the success of this fundraiser for their own organizations. 

At this time, the Hike-a-Thon is a hodgepodge of gqiv technology for the fundraising aspect, Mailchimp and text-to-give for communicating with participants, and a in-house developed ESRI (GIS) program for tracking adventures and displaying real-time competition updates. Building one app or software program that can bring these elements together will ensure that the fundraising program continues to grow, raising funds to protect one of the US's most biological hot-spots which is facing incredible risk due to the population explosions occurring across Tennessee.

Conservation organizations throughout the Southeast U.S. face challenges unlike those in the rest of the country. Simply put: there is too much at risk here to lose, and too little support from politicians and the general public. Tennessee is home to the Duck River, the U.S.’s most biodiverse river; the Cumberland Plateau, one of the richest geologic formations in the States, particularly its massive cave systems; and of course, the Mighty Mississippi River, a source of life, pride, and industry in America.

However, these natural assets—assets that boost rural economies, trap carbon, provide recreational opportunities, and are habitat to a significant number of endangered and at-risk species—are at risk every day from urban sprawl and development, reckless forestry and farming, pollution and pesticides, and invasive species.

For more than two decades, TennGreen Land Conservancy has embarked on a mission to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. This dedication to protecting Tennessee’s natural treasures has safeguarded over 50,000 acres of land; expanded and created parks, natural areas, and wildlife management areas; and privately protected farms and forests throughout the state. With accomplished partners, we aim to conserve our shared rich natural history for now and for future generations. 

 TennGreen’s accomplished staff relies on public outreach and strategic communication to inform landowners of their options for conserving land, and with our partners and greater communities, to ensure that TennGreen’s role is not only reactive, but proactive, and that each land purchase, land donation, and conservation easement has the most impact in protecting the most important natural habitats throughout Tennessee.

TennGreen is still nimble and able to “answer the call” when conservation opportunities arise. However, this new framework will provide a lens by which to focus our proactive outreach and programming to ensure that the best of Tennessee’s natural world is protected. 

The Hike-a-Thon engages those who recreate and explore our natural world in a competition-style peer-to-peer fundraising event. Unlike a race, the Hike-a-Thon encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and more. In doing this, participants also raise funds from peers--friends and family that support their adventures and want to protect the environment.

The event itself generates income through peer-to-peer fundraising and through corporate sponsorships, but also identifies champions that TennGreen may not already be aware of, links the non-profit with corporations in the recreation/environmental space or with significant ESG goals, gets individuals outside to improve health and wellbeing, and helps to spread brand awareness of TennGreen: ultimately growing the annual donor base needed for the organization to exist and spreading awareness to landowners of conservation options.

Development of this app that combines the event's various needs into one easy-to-use centralized location is pivotal to it's continued growth and scale. 

Utilizing the existing networks of supporters of TennGreen Land Conservancy, the Hike-a-THon:

- Grows brand awareness to new communities

- Engages employees of sponsors and other individuals in healthy teambuilding activities in nature

- Ignites a passion for conservation of the most vulnerable species and landscapes

- Serves all in the community, with special prizes donated to hikers experiencing disabilities

"Participating in the Hike-a-Thon was an absolute joy. The hiking and fundraising reconnected me with people I hadn't been in touch with in years! There are a hundred more miles on my boots, most added with friends I love. During these times of environmental havoc, a deepening political divide, and seen and unseen suffering, the Hike-a-Thon has been a healing balm in my heart. Together, we've made a lasting impact that will benefit us all and protect the natural world we need to survive and thrive." —Brenda Stein, first-time Hike-a-Thon participant and Most Unique Donors competition winner (2022)

In 2023, more than 500 individuals participated by logging an activity for the Hike-a-Thon. This is more than double the previous year. We anticipate this number to grow exponentially as marketing and branding for the event take-off. Moreover, we plan to market the app to other conservation groups (park friends groups, etc.) to ensure that they can utilize our propriety information to raise funds to continue their good work. WIthin five years, it is not unlikely that thousands if not tens of thousands of people will participate in our or another Hike-a-Thon competition.