Episodes
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Going behind the scenes and into the mind of a public school Earth Science teacher was a journey filled with insights about why education is so different from school to school. The diversity of students and the environment/location has a lot to do with these differences, but often I forget how the unique skills and philosophy of the teachers is a factor that should not be underestimated.
Danny Rosenstein shares his journey, from New York's inner city urban schools to alternative schools in the Hudson Valley, and how nature and outdoor learning is experienced differently by students from different environments. We talk about how science gives us the tools to understand our world/universe, but how even science sometimes forgets to include humans in the 'natural world'.
We live in a time in which many students, schools, families and communities are under a great deal of pressure and social and economic change. It's in these times that educators can find ways to help their classrooms become a refuge from that chaotic energy, so they can breathe, learn and get connected in an authentic way.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-rosenstein-a065971b/
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Fear of being uncomfortable lurks behind almost every outdoor experience when we are first learning to deal with nature's 'moods'. The purifying intensity of cold scours the world when it moves across our landscape, unstoppable and pervasive. All the animals, trees, birds, insects and plants respond in different ways to survive, including all of us human mammals too. Dealing with the mental aspects of cold is part physical preparation, part mental adjustment and part acceptance and gratitude for the winter season, and our experience of 'cold' changes as we build a better relationship with this force of nature.
As leaders and educators, we can bring a new understanding of cold weather to our students and program participants, and give them the gift of what I call the 'Crucible of Leadership'. It's one of the missing ingredients in our communities right now, and our future generations will build a new path from the work we do today.
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Episodes manquant?
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It's not uncommon for nature educators to have experiences that defy easy explanations, like the appearance of birds, deer, squirrels or mice in one of our forays into the wild with students. The presence of humans who are quiet and respectful seems to attract wild creatures sometimes, leading to connections that have a powerful impact on our lives.
John and I talk about the importance of program names, the influence and visions of native elders and how mentoring changes lives.
Website: TheTrackingProject.org
Weather Book mentioned in this episode: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-weather-wizards-cloud-book-a-unique-way-to-predict-the-weather-accurately-and-easily-by-reading-the-clouds-workman-undated-diariesadvent-calendars_louis-d-rubin-sr_jim-duncan/317550/item/12542392/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=high_vol_frontlist_standard_shopping_customer_acquisition&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=689361939032&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjeW6BhBAEiwAdKltMpyGsxAnzbAxObC62rwwwsVJyZJ8vgevJkNz5JOWSHoZz-lMzf1i4hoCoOAQAvD_BwE#idiq=12542392&edition=2748532
Thanksgiving Address Books: https://thetrackingproject.org/the-tracking-project-teaching-resources/
Institute of Natural Law Substack Article: https://instituteofnaturallaw.substack.com/p/tracking-the-language-of-nature-with
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The most impressive takeaway I get from every encounter I have with Tony, Molly and Trackers Earth is the fact that everyone seems so normalized and nonchalant about their accomplishments in connecting thousands of students each year with nature and imagination. Their network extends from Portland Oregon to Seattle Washington to the north, and the California Bay Area to the south, and until recently, Denver Colorado to the east. The programs are day camps in the summer and after school programming in the school year, with homeschooling programs, adult education and staff training, too. Their work happens in major urban/suburban areas, where the students are living, and they've overcome many obstacles and challenges to give those students opportunities to learn, explore and grow in their own bioregion. They have adapted, learned, pivoted and grown throughout their 20 years of effort and energy, always striving to make things easier, better and get the best results possible.
It's hard to not feel inspired by their laid back approach in the face of their success, and admire their commitment to making a powerful difference for the benefit of our world. It gives me hope, which sadly, seems in short supply these days. Please enjoy their story and insights!
Connect with Molly and Tony:
Website: https://www.trackersearth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trackersearth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackersearth/
Video Mentioned in Episode: https://youtu.be/BQHOH7V-Cm8?si=iCTy7aRxRKq08E83
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I know there's a universal reality that 'change is the only constant', but it's also human to try to enjoy stability for as long as possible, especially if it's a pleasant experience. Once it occurs, we transition, we adapt and we hope for continued stability in the new landscape.
This is an ongoing phenomenon, and it's come to this podcast as well.
In this episode, I share these changes as well as the 'why' they are important, especially now. These strategic shifts are aimed at helping us move towards a world where the majority of children and adults have the opportunity to get the 'natural advantage'.
In a world with climate stability, political leadership willing to make long term changes over short term bandaids, we would conceivably have a few generations to wait while the current nature movement moves at its current pace, towards a culture that values and protects nature and all of the gifts it offers humanity.
In our current reality, we don't have the luxury of that kind of glacial time.
The Forest Education endgame is a massive beneficial asset to our culture, but it will only matter if we can accelerate the steps we need to take to make it a reality. It's time for us to move forward with thoughtfulness, care, passion and well designed approaches that can make a difference for millions of children, teens and adults.
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As nature educators, we often encounter students and participants who struggle with feelings of unworthiness or anxiety when it comes to connecting with the natural world. In this episode, I share the story of a student I worked with many years ago who had a deep desire to immerse herself in nature, but was held back by past traumas and a fear of rejection from the earth itself.
Through our conversations, I learned the importance of approaching these situations with empathy and an open mind, rather than making assumptions. I share how I guided this student to find her own path to feeling safe and accepted in nature, and the profound transformation she experienced when she finally allowed herself to fully surrender to the experience.
I know many of you out there are also navigating your own complex relationships with the natural world. I hope this episode provides some insight and inspiration for how we can create more healing spaces for ourselves and our communities to reconnect with the earth. As always, I'm here if you ever need a listening ear or want to share your own experiences.
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It feels appropriate in our 150th episode to introduce the Forest Educator Initiative. In the past year and a half I have been discovering areas of nature education advocacy and professional support that could use some development and attention.
It's never easy being a pioneer, and 'field testing' the next generation of nature based education for children and teens and adults around the world, especially when we are reliant on our program funding for our sustenance. Program models, program design, professional networking and of course, effectiveness in outcome delivery are all areas that could use some energy and focus.
It's an exciting time for nature education, and I think we are on the cusp of some major growth if we can get this current 'stage' right!
Thanks for being part of this journey and doing the much needed work you're all doing every day. I appreciate you!
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Working with adult learners in the realm of nature and wilderness skills is profoundly complex. It's a world I've inhabited for many years, and one that has taught me the importance of constantly adapting and evolving my approach. When you've spent the bulk of your career teaching children and young adults, it can be easy to assume that the same methods and strategies will translate seamlessly to an older, more experienced audience. But as I've learned, that couldn't be further from the truth.
The key is to never take anything for granted. Just because someone is an adult, functioning member of society, doesn't mean they possess the foundational skills and knowledge that we might expect. It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard way, through experiences like the stories I share in this episode. When working with adults, we sometimes find ourselves with a stark choice – do I forge ahead with the program, assuming the adult will be able to handle himself, or do I pause and ensure the safety and well-being of the group? It's a decision that underscores the delicate balance we must strike as educators, between respecting the autonomy of our adult students and providing the guidance and structure they may desperately need. I've learned to err on the side of caution, covering the basics with meticulous attention to detail, no matter how tempting it might be to skip ahead. It's a philosophy that has served me well, and one that I hope other nature educators will embrace as they navigate the unique challenges of working with this dynamic and diverse population.
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"Hard Days" are an inevitable part of life as an educator. It is critical that we have effective strategies to cope, whether that's using physical sensations to reset the mind or allowing ourselves to fully feel and process difficult emotions.
In this episode, I'm also addressing the power of community, connection, and finding beauty in the world as antidotes to the darkness. Gathering around a campfire, immersing ourselves in nature, and simply noticing the kindness of others can help restore our sense of purpose and resilience. The barriers we face may loom tall, but by being honest about the challenges and supporting each other through the hard times, we can continue to grow and transform our work in meaningful ways.
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This episode explores a vision of nature education that sees millions of children across the US and the world, in a meaningful and effective way. The barriers that we face loom tall, but they are not insurmountable. We need certain things in place to actually scale our best working models, like funding, resources, advocacy and training/mentoring, and achieving this takes a considerable amount of time and expertise and experience that we are currently missing in our nature educator community.
I discuss the pros and cons of a spectrum of franchises and a few ideas for expanding our goals and beginning to manifest this visionary journey that could transform our world.
Please note: This is part one of a three part series.
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We all have to start somewhere, when it comes to being a Naturalist, or a Tracker, or a Bushcrafter, or a Forest School leader. We get a little training, some time spent honing our crafts and skills, and before we know it, we are suddenly in front of a group of people who are excited to explore and learn from you.
Imposter Syndrome can set in and we can get a little 'Deer in the Headlights' when staring at thirty students and their teachers, frozen in place.
In this episode, we dive into issues of training, commitment, overcoming our fears, gaining confidence and experience and much more.
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Today's guest interview is with my wife and partner Trista Haggerty, who draws upon the deep connection with the land and nature to facilitate healing and inner growth. Her experiences in deep earth initiations, forged in sacred sites all over the world with own mentor Helena Shik provide insights that are often unique in the 'mystics' community.
We discuss some of her work with Hawk Circle Staff and Apprentices over the years, as well as her 'nature based' approach with her own children. Our discussion covers Initiations, Sacred Journeys and the importance of caves for transformation, to name a few topics.
It is a true gift and honor for me to share the wonderful insights and magic of the person I live with here at Hawk Circle!
Her new book 'When the Dark Mother Calls' is available on Amazon, and you can read more of her story of her incredible journey there!
Book Link on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/When-Dark-Mother-Calls-Initiatory-ebook/dp/B0CKTYFK4K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697520625&sr=8-1
Connect with Ricardo:
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https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/
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If you are an educator, or a camp counselor, or a program leader or wilderness instructor, there is a not insignificant percentage of the time where you are 'winging it'. We could dress it up, and call it 'creative problem solving' or 'lesson adaptation' to make it sound more professional, but yeah, you are sometimes making things up as you go along.
We have to do that, because at any given time, our students, the school or program administration, or the weather can dictate that immediate change is necessary and we have to scrap what we were doing and figure out some other way to get the job done.
Winging it does sound a little flippant, and 'fly by night', but there is a spectrum of methodology and approach that has on one end a shady, risky, possibly dumb or ill-thought out way of doing it, and on the other side, a safer, generally well considered loose plan that has a lot of leeway as far as implementation and structure. The Bad Way and the Good Way, in other words.
Since you're already winging it anyway, I thought I'd weigh in on some best practices, share some stories, and offer insights into this powerful, often beneficial and innovative program approach. I hope to help out the new educators who have never done this before, and maybe give some more experienced educators and leaders some good ideas as well.
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Well, it's election time, and we are surrounded by examples of fear based social media posts, television ads, internet ads and all kinds of different things vying for our attention and trying to get us to take some kind of action.
The logic goes something like this: "Well, if they are spending millions of dollars on these ads, they must work, right?"
Well, yes and no. It all depends on who you want to attract with your messaging, and that is where it can get complicated!
This episode is a deep dive into why Fear-based messaging can sometimes be very effective, when it can be damaging to your reputation, and how to make stressful topics easier to understand and actually build trust and positive connections.
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I've noticed a common theme in many of the Facebook forest school groups I'm a part of. People are constantly asking where they can get the right training to start their own nature programs, and they're seeking suggestions for activities and crafts to do with children.
As an educator, I emphasize the importance of providing children with real challenges and activities that build practical skills, rather than relying on contrived or disconnected experiences. I encourage you to focus on process-oriented, lifestyle-based activities that allow children to connect more deeply to the natural world. It's also crucial for us, as educators, to have our own practical experiences to draw from. While it can be challenging, I believe that by following our passions and interests, we can create meaningful and impactful nature programs for the children we serve.
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This is a first hand account of Grant Adkisson, who spent days preparing for Hurricane Helene on his farm and nature program Corylace Cove in Mars Hill, North Carolina. This event was catastrophic to communities throughout the Carolinas and Tennessee, and Grant shares what it was like during the storm, and then discovering how widespread and life changing this event has had for thousands of people throughout this region.
Grant talks about why he and his partner Sara chose to continue to offer nature education programs a week or so after the storm, when it was safe and communications and travel was possible, and how their work has adapted to support their emotional needs after experiencing the trauma that follows a natural disaster.
Grant shared the following organizations that can support his surrounding communities in their time of need:
This is fundraiser for ROAR (Rural Organizing and Resilience)
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4C7WGWM48AW8A&source=url&ssrt=1727826032215
And this is the page for their mutual aid hub. They need chainsaws, splitters and logging chains, ropes and winches donated or bought.
https://ruralorganizing.wordpress.com/2024/10/01/marshall-mutual-aid-hub-is-open/
Walnut Fire Dept in Marshall NC
They were the only swift water rescue in the county and still going hard working out of personal funds and donations(volunteer rescue squad)
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?campaign_id=F9WPZZVQU34Z4&source=url
Grant and Sara's Nature Program Corylace Cove website: https://www.corylacecove.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corylacecove/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086887186054
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The search for knowledge sometimes involves tedious, patient work when it comes to understanding the diet of our distant ancestors. It can involve charcoal analysis at a microscopic level from campfires from 10,000 BC. It can involve the scrapings of carbonized food remains from pottery shards that are clues to what was eaten or used medicinally. It's not particularly flashy or exciting like demonstrating fire by friction to a group of fifth graders, but Max Gordon actually does both.
Max founded the Lionman School of Rewilding and offers programs in nature awareness, earth living skills and crafts in New York, New Jersey and Florida, but his passion extends both forward to future generations while also looking back to the distant past to see our trajectories of human evolution. Our conversation dives into cave art, Utzi the Iceman, wilderness school administration life and even medieval biology.
Website: https://lionmanrewilding.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lionmanrewilding2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lionmanrewilding/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LionManReWilding
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lionman-school-of-rewilding/
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John returns to the Forest Educator Podcast to share more of his unique journey into nature and tracking. John's work with youth led him to upstate New York, in the Northern border area, where he learned about communicating with bears. (Very helpful to know when you work with youth in the wild!) In each place where he traveled, he found elders who shared powerful experiences that changed how he saw and connected with the natural world. These events helped John tremendously when working with diverse and unique cultures in the American Southwest, Hawaii, Sweden and Brazil.
With every story and conversation, I find myself learning and reflecting about my own connection to nature and self. I find myself thinking about them often, and it's amazing how they go deeper each time, with new meanings and insights that enrich my understanding of the world and my place in it. I am grateful for the opportunity to share these recordings with forest educators everywhere, for a world in need of more peace, more dreaming and new ways of living on the earth.
Website: https://thetrackingproject.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetrackingproject/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTrackingProject/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetrackingproject
Forest Educator Bonus Content Page:
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Join the Forest Educator Patreon!
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Connect with Ricardo:
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John returns to the Forest Educator Podcast to share more of his unique journey into nature and tracking. John's work with youth led him to upstate New York, in the Northern border area, where he learned about communicating with bears. (Very helpful to know when you work with youth in the wild!) In each place where he traveled, he found elders who shared powerful experiences that changed how he saw and connected with the natural world. These events helped John tremendously when working with diverse and unique cultures in the American Southwest, Hawaii, Sweden and Brazil.
With every story and conversation, I find myself learning and reflecting about my own connection to nature and self. I find myself thinking about them often, and it's amazing how they go deeper each time, with new meanings and insights that enrich my understanding of the world and my place in it. I am grateful for the opportunity to share these recordings with forest educators everywhere, for a world in need of more peace, more dreaming and new ways of living on the earth.
Website: https://thetrackingproject.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetrackingproject/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTrackingProject/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetrackingproject
Forest Educator Bonus Content Page:
http://foresteducator.com/bonuscontent
Join the Forest Educator Patreon!
https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast
Connect with Ricardo:
https://www.foresteducator.com/
https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/
https://www.hawkcircle.com/
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/
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https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/
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https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra -
I always knew when I was in an 'initiatory experience', because my peaceful, stable, predictable life would suddenly be turned upside down. It is not a pleasant experience, generally, and I would be forced to let go, grow, learn, and expand. Sometimes, the initiation started due to a relationship, or sometimes, community pressures. Other times, it happened more physically, with pressure or forces that left me with no other options. No amount of bargaining, discussion or denial would bring relief.
I learned that when I started feeling that kind of feeling, I was going on a ride and it wasn't 'optional'.
It was never at an optimal time, either.
Right now, there are millions without power, and hundreds of thousands of people dealing with the aftermath of torrential rainfall, unbelievable winds and the scouring roaring of floodwaters unleashed. This event is a marker, a milestone, even, in the lives of those who have experienced this historic storm, and they are in the middle of an 'initiation'.
Understanding what is happening is the key to better decision-making, problem-solving, mental health care and finding our way back to our center, and then finding a path forward.
My heart goes out to the hundreds of thousands whose lives have been shattered, and this episode is for them and all of us who care for them at a distance, who want to support them as we watch their struggle. The power of climate change is here for us all, and the sooner we learn to navigate and understand this new world, the better off we will be as individuals and as part of the natural ecology.
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