VERVE Rural Conversation Starters. Toolkit Supplementary Materials n.1.

A set of postcards created during VERVE's “Photovoice Lab.” Each postcard features a personal story written by a young resident or enthusiast of a rural-mountain area. These stories challenge simplistic or abstract portrayals of rural life, adding texture and nuance to the conversation. They delve into themes such as interconnected socio-ecological relationships, sense of place, socio-economic change, resource management, and aspirations for a good life. Reflecting on these postcards can encourage groups to share ideas and develop a richer understanding of rural socio-ecological dynamics. These materials can be used to facilitate the “Generative Dialogue with Conversation Starters” (Method 2, Pathway 1, p. 26) shared in the VERVE Toolkit “Imagining Vibrant Rural-Mountain Futures”.