Creating a video for the campaign is simple and fun! Here’s what you need to know:

1. Video Guidelines:

   • Length: 2–5 minutes.

   • Topic: Share your vision for the islands’ future.

     • What does the Comprehensive Plan mean to you?

     • How do you imagine life on the islands evolving?

     • What changes would make the islands better for everyone?

2. Submission:

   • Email your video to: connect@islandstewards.org

   • Include your name, age, and island of residence.

3. Showcasing Your Work:

   • Your video could be featured at screenings on Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez Islands.

   • Top videos will receive eco-friendly prizes and local recognition!

Step 1: Plan Your Story

Create a Storyboard

A storyboard is like a comic strip of your video—it helps you plan the scenes and shots before you start filming. Follow these steps:

1. Write Down Your Idea

   • What’s your main message?

   • What do you want viewers to feel or learn?

2. Break It Into Sections

   • Intro: Hook your audience (e.g., “This is my vision for the islands in 2050.”).

   • Main Content: Show your ideas (e.g., scenes of nature, interviews, or your artwork).

   • Conclusion: Wrap it up with a strong takeaway (e.g., “Together, we can create this future.”).

3. Draw It Out

   • Sketch simple frames for each scene.

   • Note what’s happening, who or what is in the shot, and any dialogue.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shots

Choose Locations

• Pick places that support your story. For example, if you’re talking about preserving nature, film on a beach, in a forest, or at a community garden.

• Make sure the area is safe and accessible.

Lighting Tips

• Natural Light: The best time to film is during the "golden hour"—just after sunrise or before sunset—for soft, even lighting.

• Indoor Lighting: Use lamps to avoid shadows. Place the light source in front of your subject, not behind.

Framing Your Shot

• Use the Rule of Thirds: Imagine your screen divided into three sections horizontally and vertically. Place your subject where the lines intersect for a balanced shot.

• Keep the camera steady. Use a tripod, or prop your phone on a stable surface.

Sound Matters

• Record in quiet locations to avoid background noise.

• Speak clearly and close to the microphone.

Step 3: Film Your Video

Gear You’ll Need

• Smartphone or Camera: Most smartphones today have great video quality.

• Optional Accessories: A tripod and microphone can improve stability and sound quality.

Pro Tips While Filming

• Take Multiple Shots: Film each scene a few times from different angles to give yourself options during editing.

• Hold the Camera Steady: If you don’t have a tripod, rest your elbows on a surface to minimize shaking.

• Keep it Short and Focused: Stay within the 2–5 minute limit.

Step 4: Edit Your Video

Editing brings your video to life. Here's how to get started:

Free Tools You Can Use

• Canva (Free Account):

  • Canva has a library of video templates, music, and graphics.

  • You can upload your footage, trim clips, and add transitions, captions, and effects.

  • Their drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for beginners.

• iMovie (Mac/iOS) or Clipchamp (Windows/Browser):

  • Simple tools for cutting clips, adjusting brightness, and adding music.

• CapCut (Mobile App):

  • A free app with features like slow motion, filters, and text overlays.

Basic Editing Steps

1. Import Your Clips: Upload your videos into the software.

2. Trim and Arrange: Cut out unnecessary parts and arrange clips in the order of your storyboard.

3. Add Music: Choose free music from the software’s library or a royalty-free site like YouTube Audio Library. Make sure the music fits the mood of your video.

4. Add Captions:

   • Use text overlays to add subtitles or emphasize key points.

   • Captions make your video accessible to more people.

5. Transitions and Effects:

   • Smooth out cuts between scenes with transitions like fades or slides.

   • Don’t overuse effects; keep it clean and professional.

Step 5: Final Touches

Review Your Video

• Watch your video from start to finish.

• Check for clear audio, smooth transitions, and proper lighting.

Export Your File

• Save your video in a high-resolution format (e.g., 1080p).

• File format: MP4 is widely compatible for sharing.

Step 6: Submit Your Work

Once your video is polished and ready, send it to connect@islandstewards.org. Don’t forget to include your name, age, and island of residence in the email.

How to Participate

Why Your Voice Matters

Right now, decisions are being made about the future of the San Juan Islands. These decisions will affect everything from how much housing is built to how we protect the environment. As a young person, you have a unique perspective on what’s important, and this campaign gives you the platform to share it.

Your ideas could influence how the islands look and feel for decades to come. What kind of community do you want to live in? How do you think we can balance growth with sustainability? These are big questions, but your voice can help find the answers.

The Comprehensive Plan: What You Should Know

The Comprehensive Plan might sound complicated, but it’s really just a guide for how the county handles things like housing, the environment, and public spaces. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key areas:

1. Environmental Stewardship

San Juan County is known for its breathtaking natural beauty. The Comprehensive Plan prioritizes protecting our forests, shorelines, and wildlife. That means making decisions about how much development is allowed and where it happens to ensure the environment stays healthy.

• Why It Matters: If we don’t protect our environment, we risk losing what makes the islands so special. Clean water, fresh air, and thriving ecosystems are all part of the plan.

2. Housing and Affordability

It’s expensive to live here, and not everyone who works on the islands can afford to stay. The plan looks at ways to create affordable housing options while balancing the need to protect open spaces.

• Why It Matters: Everyone deserves a chance to live where they work and contribute to the community. Affordable housing helps keep the islands diverse and vibrant.

3. Community and Economy

The plan supports local businesses, eco-tourism, and sustainable industries. It also focuses on creating opportunities for residents to thrive without relying too heavily on tourism or outside resources.

• Why It Matters: A strong local economy benefits everyone and helps reduce dependence on industries that can harm the environment.

4. Infrastructure and Transportation

From roads and ferries to bike lanes and public spaces, the plan outlines how we can build and maintain the infrastructure we need without damaging the environment.

• Why It Matters: Better transportation options mean less pollution and more accessibility for everyone, whether they’re locals or visitors.

Video Storyboard Tips

Ready to create your video? Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. A Day in the Future

Imagine life on the islands in 2050. What’s changed? What’s stayed the same? Use storytelling to show your vision.

Example:

• Scene 1: Start with a panoramic shot of a preserved shoreline.

• Scene 2: Highlight a thriving community garden or sustainable housing project.

• Scene 3: End with a call to action: “This is the future I want to see. What about you?”

2. What the Comprehensive Plan Means to Me

Share how the plan affects your life. Maybe it’s about protecting your favorite hiking trail or ensuring your family can afford to stay on the island.

Example:

• Scene 1: Show yourself in a place you love on the island.

• Scene 2: Talk about why that place is important to you.

• Scene 3: Explain how the Comprehensive Plan can help protect it.

3. Protecting Our Islands

Focus on the environmental challenges facing the islands and how we can solve them.

Example:

• Scene 1: Show a beach with litter or erosion.

• Scene 2: Explain how the Comprehensive Plan could address these issues.

• Scene 3: End with a vision of a cleaner, healthier island.

4. My Dream for the Islands

Be creative! Use animation, interviews, or personal stories to show your ideal future.

Inspiring Questions to Consider

• What do you love most about the islands?

• How can we balance growth with environmental protection?

• What does sustainability mean to you?

• How can we make the islands a better place for everyone?

Why Participate?

By creating a video, you’re not just sharing your ideas—you’re helping shape the conversation about our future. You’ll also gain experience in storytelling, video production, and community engagement. Plus, your voice could inspire others to think differently about what’s possible for the San Juan Islands.

Why It Matters: The Power of Storytelling and Vision

The San Juan Islands are more than just a place—they’re a legacy. The decisions we make today will shape how these islands thrive for generations to come. That’s why your voice is so important.

For thousands of years, the Coast Salish peoples, who have called this region home, have shared their wisdom through storytelling. Stories are not just entertainment—they are a way to preserve culture, pass down knowledge, and guide future generations. Every story carries lessons about respect for the land, balance with nature, and the interconnectedness of all life.

In their teachings, the land and water are seen not just as resources, but as relatives. By protecting and honoring them, we ensure that future generations can also thrive. This campaign invites you to continue that tradition, using storytelling to share your vision for the islands' future.

Why Your Stories Matter

By participating in the Next Gen San Juans campaign, you can:

1. Inspire Action: Your stories, like those of the Coast Salish tribes, can inspire others to think deeply about the choices we make and their impact on the land and community.

2. Shape the Future: Through your videos, you can guide how we grow, how we tackle environmental challenges, and how we build a sustainable and welcoming community.

3. Preserve What Matters: Your perspective can help ensure that the values of balance, respect, and care—values deeply rooted in the history of these islands—are carried forward into the future.

Learning From the Coast Salish Perspective

The Coast Salish peoples teach us that every action has a ripple effect. Decisions about the land, water, and community affect not just today but generations yet to come. Here are a few lessons we can draw from their traditions:

• Balance and Reciprocity: Just as we take from the land, we must give back. How can the islands remain abundant and healthy for all who live here, human and non-human alike?

• Respect for Nature’s Wisdom: The land and waters are teachers. What can we learn from observing their patterns and protecting their cycles?

• Community and Connection: No one exists in isolation. By working together and sharing stories, we strengthen the bonds that unite us.

Why Now?

The future of the San Juan Islands is being decided right now. The Comprehensive Plan is the foundation for how we grow, protect, and care for our community. By sharing your vision through this campaign, you are participating in a tradition of storytelling that has shaped the islands for thousands of years.

Your ideas, inspired by your unique experiences and the lessons of the past, can help guide us toward a future where the islands are healthy, vibrant, and inclusive.

Whether you’re passionate about the environment, housing, transportation, or something entirely unique, your voice matters. Take this chance to dream big, share your ideas, and help build a brighter future for the San Juan Islands.

Your voice matters. Your vision matters. Together, we can create a future that honors the beauty, diversity, and community spirit of the islands we call home.

📩 Submit Your Video: connect@islandstewards.org
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