Greening Your Events: Resources & Support
Green events are planned and hosted in an environmentally-responsible way. To learn about event formats (virtual, onsite, hybrid) and choose the format for an event, go to the Event Formats & Decision Tools page. When you have decided if your event will be virtual, onsite, or hybrid, save a copy of the relevant planning checklist from below and consult the Resources, Support, and Best Practices section below for guides, tips, tools, best practices, support for Forest Service employees, and additional resources.
- Planning Checklist for Virtual Events
- Planning Checklist for Onsite Events
- Planning Checklist for Local Onsite Events
- Planning Checklist for Hybrid Events
Forest Service Employees:
We encourage you to fill out the Green Event Feedback Form after your event, so we can learn from your efforts and share successes on this site. This also supports Core Action 5 of FS Sustainable Operations Accomplishment Reporting which asks units to, “Incorporate sustainable practices into onsite events and/or replace some onsite events that require travel with hybrid or virtual events.” Review the instructions in the Green Event Feedback Form before your event to ensure you have collected the information and feedback needed from your participants to fill out the Form.
For virtual and hybrid events: use the Virtual and Hybrid Event Participation Evaluation Form to gather input from participants (at the end or immediately after your event). Then enter the information for each participant into the Virtual and Hybrid Event GHG and Travel Cost Estimator spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will calculate the totals you will need to then fill out the Green Event Feedback Form.
Green Event Feedback Form Training Videos. (NOTE: this is an FS internal-only link)
Note: certain onsite events involving travel require approval and additional reporting. See the FS ASC Budget & Finance Travel page for guidance (NOTE: this is a FS internal-only link).
Resources, Support, and Best Practices
This section provides a variety of resources and tools to help event coordinators plan and host successful green events of all types and formats. Click on a category for the relevant list of resources. In addition to these resources, check out the Success Stories page.
[collapsed title=GUIDES, TIPS, AND RESOURCES: links, resource documents, and templates for green events]
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[collapsed title=ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES: tips and resources for integrating accessibility into events]
| Accessibility | Virtual | Hybrid | Onsite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 508 Laws and Resources |  |
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| Making Meetings Accessible (Source: CDC) | |
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| Guide for Accessible Meetings (Source: US DOJ) | |
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| Tips for Hosting Accessible Virtual Events (with focus on using Adobe Connect) (Source: Forest Service) | |
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| Accessibility for Virtual Events Overview Webinar (with focus on using Adobe Connect) - VIDEO NO LONGER AVAILABLE |
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| PPT from Accessibility for Virtual Events Webinar (Source: Forest Service) | |
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[collapsed title=SUPPORT FOR FOREST SERVICE EVENTS: links to self-help and support resources for FS employees]
*Note* These are INTERNAL-only resources and links
| Support Links for Forest Service Employees | Virtual | Hybrid | Onsite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learn How (Self-Help) Resources | |||
| FSTeams Collaboration Site: Resources for requesting access to and using collaboration tools, including Adobe Connect, LiveMeeting, Lync, AT&T Connect, and SharePoint | |
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| Training and Resources for Hosting Events with Adobe Connect: Including how to schedule an event, configure audio with a phone line, and how to configure captions. | |
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| FS Video TeleConferencing (VTC) | |
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| FS Teleconference Services | |
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| Guide for FS Webinars | |
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| Planning and Hosting Services | |||
| The FS Enterprise Program, through their Technology and Communications service lines, offers a full range of virtual event services including planning, producing, facilitating, and recording accessible events, including webinars, virtual meetings, and video teleconferences. | |
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| FS WO Employees in Yates: The WO Virtual Events Cadre (VEC) may available to assist with your virtual event (or provide you training). To request assistance go to the Cadre’s Service Request site. | |
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| Accessibility Resources | |||
| FS Civil Rights Program Accessibility Site: Provides FS program accessibility resources and guidance | |
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| FS Section 508 Accessibility Site: Information to increase accessibility awareness and resources to provide accessibility (and 508 compliance) | |
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| USDA TARGET (Technology & Accessible Resources Give Employment Today) Center Website: Accessibility resources including assistive technology and providing Sign Language Interpreting for events | |
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| Training for making electronic documents accessible (CIO) | |
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| Captions Request (FedRelay Captions Colorado) | |
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[/collapsed]
[collapsed title=BEST PRACTICES: developed by different organizations, mostly focused on virtual events]
| Best Practices | Virtual | Hybrid | Onsite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Practices for Virtual Meetings (Source: NASA) | |
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| Virtual Meeting Best Practice Checklist (Source: Luminosity Consulting Group) | |
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| Virtual Meeting Guidelines - National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation | |
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| Seven Best Practices for Virtual Meetings (Source: Cube 2-14) | |
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| Sustainable Stanford Green Event Checklist - Express & Comprehensive Versions (Source: Sustainable Stanford) | |
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[/collapsed]