They Did What? A Fresh Take on Destination Stewardship

 

How do you inspire locals and visitors to care for the places we love without sounding like a buzzkill? HyFyve’s answer: go human-first, go bilingual, and let a sassy raccoon carry the message.

What We Faced—And How We Flipped It

Outdoor education often drifts into dull or preachy territory. So we flipped the script. We launched TheyDidWhat.org—a cheeky, community-first campaign that educates, entertains, and doesn’t talk down. Everything was handcrafted: the website, ad assets, and a toolkit, all fully transcreated into Spanish (QueHicieron.org) to ensure cultural relevance and inclusion.

Adventure Tips You’ll Actually Remember

At the heart of the campaign are 20 insider tips—like Pack It Out, Keep Nature Natural, and Fully Extinguish Campfires. The twist: every tip is seen through the eyes of local wildlife, reacting to human behavior with a mix of disbelief and relief. They did what? They packed it out. They did what? They left the trail better than they found it. That playful framing turns simple reminders into memorable moments.

Each tip is paired with edgy illustrations—like a defensive mama bear guarding her cubs or a cranky campfire bunny—designed to make you laugh, pause, and actually remember the message. All the visual assets are packaged in a partner toolkit (downloadable in square and banner formats, perfect for social and print), ready to share for maximum impact.

All the visual assets are packaged in a partner toolkit (downloadable in square and banner formats, perfect for social and print), ready to share for maximum impact.

 

Why it Worked

• It didn’t preach—it cracked a smile. That’s why people actually read (and reshared) the tips.

• Bilingual execution wasn’t an afterthought—transcreation made Spanish-language versions feel local, not translated.

• Art matters: Local illustrator Moon Light Speed’s unexpected character work turned stewardship messaging into something cinematic, memorable, and shareable.
  

Stewardship With a Wink (not a lecture)

So here’s the takeaway: Stewardship doesn’t need to be dull. It can be bold, local, and funny. Head toTheyDidWhat.org, check out the full squirrel-and-raccoon-powered toolkit, and take the pledge to adventure responsibly, because loving the land shouldn’t feel like a lecture. If you’ve got a story that matters and you need it told with fresh energy in a way people can’t ignore, let’s talk.