Background
Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ecological restoration in the US-Mexico borderlands. BRN works to restore ecosystems, rebuild habitats, and foster community connections through education and sustainable practices. However, federal funding freezes have put significant financial pressure on the organization. To continue its mission, BRN increasingly relies on volunteers, donations, and revenue from native plant sales, seed programs, and hydroseeding services.
The Challenge
How might we help Borderlands Restoration Network increase financial sustainability, enhance community engagement, and improve digital outreach to support their conservation work?
KEY FOCUS AREAS:
Teams can explore solutions that address one or more of the following:
Revenue & Funding: How can we boost sales of native plants, seeds, and hydroseeding services? Are there new ways to attract and retain donors?
Volunteer Engagement: What innovative strategies could increase volunteer participation and retention?
Storytelling & Outreach: How can we improve messaging across digital platforms to better connect with homeowners, property managers, and conservationists?
Digital Experience: How might we refine the user experience of BRN’s websites to drive engagement and conversions?
Requirements
What to Submit
Participants are encouraged to create, but are not limited to:
- Digital Prototypes (Website/UX improvements, e-commerce enhancements)
- Marketing & Engagement Strategies (Content frameworks, donation campaigns, social media initiatives)
- Service Design Concepts (New revenue models, community programs, volunteer recruitment strategies)
Tip: Clearly state the problem you’re solving, explain why you chose your solution, and describe how it addresses the issue.
Prizes
First Prize
- 1 UXPA Boston Conference Ticket per member ($1600 value)
- 10% Discount on a Bentley University Certificate Course
- Recommendation Letter from Borderlands Restoration Network
- Acknowledgement from Bentley University
- Group Mentorship
- Borderlands Restoration Network Propagation Class
- A Field Guide to Climate Design
- 1 Book of Your Choice / Mentor
Second Place
- 1 Rocketbook New Core Reusable Spiral Notebook / member
- Borderlands Restoration Network Propagation Class
- A Field Guide to Climate Design
- 1 Book of your choice / member
Third Place Prize
- Borderlands Restoration Network Propagation Class
- A Field Guide to Climate Design
- 1 Book of your choice
Honorable Mention
- A Field Guide to Climate Design
- 1 Book of your choice
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Grace Lee
Director Of Product Design, Gain Life
Ankita Dutta
Training Specialist, Schneider Electric, Vice President, UXPA Boston
Kaylyn Belcourt
President, Copernicus Educational Products
Karla Fernandes
UX/UI Designer, Vitamina K, UX/UI Hub
Victoria de Aranzeta
Senior Product Designer, Exygy
Eric Benson
Podcast Host, Climify Podcast, and Affiliate Faculty Siebel Center for Design, University of Illinois Urbana-Champlaign
Damien Thiery
CEO, Climate Impact Solutions
Susan Schiffer Yates
Director of User Experience Research, Fidelity Investments
Perin McNelis
Native Plant Program Manager, Borderlands Restoration Network
Judging Criteria
-
Impact & Feasibility
Can this be realistically implemented to help Borderlands? -
Innovation & Creativity
Does this introduce a new, effective approach? -
User-Centered Design
Is it accessible and compelling for the target audience? -
Scalability & Sustainability
Can this idea grow over time?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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