Call for Proposals

 

BIPOC Outdoors Summit at Northern Michigan University
Reclaiming Space. Restoring Balance. Reimagining Belonging.

Northern Michigan University invites proposals for the 2026 BIPOC Outdoors Summit from changemakers, educators, creatives, scholars, guides, and outdoor enthusiasts to submit proposals for engaging, hands-on, and transformative sessions that center the experiences and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in outdoor spaces. Although centering the BIPOC experience, the summit celebrates the connection between all people and the natural world and seeks to expand pathways for leadership, learning, and wellbeing in outdoor spaces.  All are welcome to participate.

Held in beautiful Marquette, Michigan, the heart of Michigan’s stunning Upper Peninsula, this summit is more than a gathering — it’s a movement. A movement to reconnect, to reclaim, and to redefine our relationship with land, self, and community.

 

Session Types We're Looking For

We welcome proposals that fall into one or more of the following tracks:

Youth Track (Grades 8–12)

  • Inspiring, age-appropriate workshops that engage young people in the outdoors
  • Nature-based storytelling, art, or science sessions
  • Youth leadership, confidence building, or pathways to outdoor careers

 

Skill-Building Sessions

  • Outdoor living skills, wilderness safety and navigation
  • Trial building and design
  • Interpretation and environmental education
  • Sustainable practices and eco-stewardship
  • Outdoor equipment and adaptive recreation
  • Facilitation and teamwork-based outdoor education

 

Outdoor Entrepreneurship

  • Starting and growing an outdoor-related business
  • Social entrepreneurship in recreation, tourism, or wellness
  • Building economic opportunities in nature-connected industries
  • Innovative approaches in outdoor recreation, wellness, or ecotourism
  • Economic development through nature-based enterprises

 

Academic & Research Sessions

  • Culturally grounded environmental science or sustainability
  • Indigenous knowledge systems and place-based research
  • Outdoor equity and environmental justice scholarship
  • Environmental science, sustainability, and conservation education
  • Place-based learning and land-use research
  • Explorations of personal or community relationships with nature and the outdoors

 

Wellbeing in Nature

  • Somatic healing, mindfulness, and rest practices in the outdoors
  • Intergenerational healing and cultural restoration through land
  • Nature as resistance, joy, and rejuvenation
  • Outdoor practices that support stress reduction, reflection, and personal growth
  • Movement-based or meditative activities
  • Nature as a setting for rest, focus, and balance

 

Outdoor Recreation & Exploration

  • Guided hikes, mountain biking, kayaking, and trail exploration
  • Beach-based sessions or “walk and talk” conversations in natural settings
  • “Interpretive walks & tours” highlighting history, ecology, or community stories
  • Outdoor art, photography, or storytelling in motion

Session Formats & Durations

We are seeking engaging sessions that reflect the diversity of outdoor experiences and are open to:

  • 60-minute focused sessions
  • 90-minute deep-dive workshops or guided discussions
  • 3-hour immersive experiences, off-site adventures, or multi-stop outdoor excursions.

Please indicate whether your session requires specific equipment, terrain, or accessibility considerations.

Proposal Guidelines

Location: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
Summit Dates: Monday, July 27, 2026 - Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
Audience: Students (grades 8–12), college students, educators, community leaders, and outdoor professionals

To submit a proposal, please include:

  • Session Title
  • Presenter(s) Name(s), Short Bio(s), Organization/school/agency and Contact Info
  • Session Description (up to 300 words)
  • Target Audience
  • Preferred Duration (60 / 90 / 180 minutes)
  • Session Format (indoor / outdoor / hybrid)
  • Equipment or space needs

A Summit with Purpose

The Outdoors Summit is committed to providing opportunities for individuals and communities to connect with nature, build practical skills, and explore new ideas. Whether your session is a research presentation, interactive skill-building workshop, reflective beach walk, or trail-based discussion, we encourage submissions that highlight knowledge-sharing, innovation, and the shared human experience in outdoor environments.

Submit your proposal.
 

Questions? Contact us at bipocoutdoors@nmu.edu.