The Route of the Badger coalition and the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) is hosting a celebratory Giving Tuesday screening event at Avalon Theater (2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee) on December 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The group is showing "Tracing the Divide," a documentary that follows the journey of two Wisconsin residents—Chris Hiebert and Chris Schmidt—as they take on the Tour Divide, a 2400-mile bike ride from Canada to New Mexico.
The event is also intended to highlight the ongoing collaboration between the Route of the Badger coalition and RTC, which is helping to develop more than 700 miles of world-class, regional trails that connect people between towns and counties. A robust trail network could provide opportunities for physical activity, tourism, outdoor opportunities and stronger businesses throughout the system.
Doors for the screening open at 5:00 for light snacks and drinks, then followed by remarks from Willie Karidis, project director for the Route of the Badger, and Chris Hiebert one of the featured Tour Divide riders.
What is Route of the Badger?
The Route of the Badger coaltiion is a partnership between the Wisconsin Bike Fed, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and RTC, to build healthier communities across Southeast Wisconsin.
In development since 2014, the Route of the Badger was conceived by RTC after an analysis revealed that in the Milwaukee/Racine Metropolitan Statistical area 90 percent of the population lived within 3 miles of a trail.
What is Rails to Trails Conservancy?
Rails to Trails Conservancy is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong— dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines
Jason McDowell grew up in central Iowa and moved to Milwaukee in 2000 to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
In 2006 he began working with OnMilwaukee as an advertising designer, but has since taken on a variety of rolls as the Creative Director, tackling all kinds of design problems, from digital to print, advertising to branding, icons to programming.
In 2016 he picked up the 414 Digital Star of the Year award.
Most other times he can be found racing bicycles, playing board games, or petting dogs.
