The Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education

Today's Forest Educator Spotlight is all about the best-kept secret for Forest Educators: the Natural Advantage. When we implement this three-part framework in our programs, we can have the biggest impact. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Some of my favorite ages to work with are middle schoolers, anywhere from 10-14 years old. Some may say those ages are some of the most challenging, but I really like that age group for so many reasons. I love to help them find their passion and excitement, and to watch them build an inner foundation for themselves and a personal belief that they know who they are, and begin to believe that they can do hard things. In this episode, I'm exploring the different developmental ages and stages during this period of kids' lives and some of my best tips and strategies for working with them effectively. From emotional development, friendship, trust, and self-reflection to skill-building, I hope this episode will help you feel excited about working with this age group, too. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

The first rule about 'bonding' is like Fight Club: "Never talk about Bonding." At least to your students. (Because it's awkward and weird.) But honestly, so many of the benefits of nature-based education present in the same exact way - basically invisible to most people who aren't paying close attention. This episode explores ideas around mentoring, teaching, bonding, relationships, and even some staff management/training/hiring concepts too. We get into the nuances of these concepts, why it's so critical for our development at a young age, and how we as educators can support and facilitate those fleeting moments of connection that come when we least expect it. Even if you don't work with youth or adults, you might find this episode interesting because you can scan through your own memories for the authentic, bonding moments you've had, and how they affected you. We all exist in a matrix of community, culture, and nature, and being able to build meaningful relationships is not always easy in today's digital world. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

The paths we take in our journey as educators are incredibly diverse and unique to each of us.  We all have different origins, with mentors, teachers, opportunities and our communities all influencing how we do what we do. In this episode, we explore some of the ways we end up in our 'forest educator lanes', and how to change lanes, as well as why it can be incredibly beneficial to ourselves, our families, our students and our professional growth to make a shift.    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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

An aspect of nature education that I believe is greatly overlooked is the ability and benefit it gives young people to 'Do Hard Things'.  This happens when we learn to climb a steep hill, climb a tree, master carving knife safety or learn to think of others in our groups!  It happens when we learn to be safe and respectful about campfires.  It happens when we begin our studies in wild foods, birds, animal tracks, trees or bushcraft skills.  (This list could be very, very substantial!) All of these help our young people to learn to push through the very real walls of struggle, of effort, of perseverance, and to not shy away from hard work.    It helps them learn about delayed gratification, and find their own 'deep inner drive' that will serve them well in the coming years of continued change. Whether we are running a forest preschool, guiding adults across a glacier, teaching archery at a wilderness camp or leading a nature based mythology & poetry retreat, we are at our most core level, helping our students become resilient & resourceful in the face of looming change that we will all experience in our lifetime.  It's a mission worth supporting, and has incredible returns on the investment for schools, organizations and parents who want to make a difference for our youngest generation. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

If you've ever tried to talk about the meaning and value of an experience in nature with someone who's never experienced something similar, it can feel like talking to a brick wall.   Our insights, and sense of wonder, or magic can sound ridiculous when spoken out loud.   It can be painful when something we share has so much value to US, but completely is misunderstood by our listeners. The problem isn't with us, or with everyone else, but it's built into the language of our culture, and with the very nature of 'the intangible aspects' of our experiences. It's a problem for nature people and also for anyone who is really passionate about something, and it's especially a problem for Forest Educators who are working to communicate these values to people who could really benefit from our work and programs. If you have struggled to craft a message about what you do that resonates with 'your people' who get it, and 'get you', this episode can help you understand why it's often so difficult and why we can drag our feet in making decisions about our promotional material, or about our reluctance to fully commit to our 'message'. It's time to get clear, take action and begin connecting with everyone in ways that can help us struggle a little less, build more community and enjoy our work! 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Connect with Molly and Tony: https://trackersearth.com/blog/forest-kids-free-independent-and-skilled/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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! 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

"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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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.    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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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.   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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: 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. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

There are lots of times when we as educators face the task of creating a positive nature experience with less than ideal situations.  Running forest school sessions in urban schools near a football pitch, or an abandoned lot is not always what we were thinking we were getting into when we envisioned being nature educators or went through our training! In this episode, David Fisher and I explore some of these challenges and how they might be mitigated both on an individual or community level and at the professional or association level.  We talk about how there are missing elements in our profession right now that could greatly help Forest School leaders to achieve excellent learner outcomes and to remain consistent across the spectrum of unique educational environments. David Fisher is a teacher, Forest School Leader and Forest School Trainer who provides courses and programs both in the UK and Internationally. Instagram:   @rooted.learning Website:    https://www.rootedlearning.co.uk/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

When I created the Hawk Circle Wilderness Camp back in 1989, I started with a goal to offer something 'real' to students & campers.  I began to scour my knowledge and imagination of how our ancestors were connected to the land in visceral, intrinsic ways, from the moment of birth to their very end of life.   I sought to add these elements, or threads of understanding, one strand a time, in a way that would feel natural, unassuming, without a lot of drama or fanfare or 'calling attention to ourselves', etc, because I felt that when people find themselves in the natural world, they have uniquely powerful and authentic experiences that are 'self-created' or discovered.    I believed, and still do, that this form of experiential education is one way to build a powerfully strong identity and connection to the world and self that serves them well both now and in the challenges and trials we find in the days ahead. This episode explores these themes and how they relate to some of my program design philosophy that has been effective for decades. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

There are a lot of 'ingredients' in most forest educator programs that make up the bulk of the experiences.  Crafts. Skills. Games.  Challenges.  Free Play.  Exploration. (and more). Viewed as a recipe, they would be the big items in whatever dish you're making.  They'd take up a lot of space in the pot or pan, and they would get the most attention. But there are also the smaller ingredients in the mix, that are often completely overlooked and seldom thought about, that are critical to making the dish come together, and work, like salt, or seasonings, or baking powder.  When these are missing, it is a big deal. When it comes to crafting and inviting students to have an 'Experience' in our programs, the little things matter in the same way.  Our stories are important, and how we frame the lessons, or time spent together, and our intent, as well. This episode explores some of these small but mighty 'secret ingredients' that pack a lot of power and energy, especially around the ideas of inspiration, mastery, pushing beyond our perceived limits and the value of focus and attention to detail.  These have the capacity to provide some incredibly long lasting impact for students and educators alike. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

The one question I get asked about most is about program design, curriculum and activities for older children, teens and young adults. There are lots of good ideas and content out there that covers nature/science combos, or nature/language arts or nature/creative arts, and those are awesome. In this episode, I share some of the things I've learned over the more than three decades of working with young people and how 'work projects' can have incredible and valuable life skills and long term outcomes that pay off in multiple ways. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

It was through Tom Brown Jr and his Tracker School that I came to meet John.  It was 1984, on a farm in western New Jersey, and he was an instructor at the school, and spending seven days with him and the rest of the staff and Tom changed the direction of my life in a radical way. John was pulled to New Mexico in 1986, where he founded The Tracking Project, and began running rites of passage camps for boys and girls, as well as adult trainings and retreats. I was incredibly fortunate to spend time in his Nurturing the Roots Mentoring Program, where he had gathered elders from Australia, Sweden, Hawaii, Mexico, Brazil, and across North America.   Learning and connecting with those elders and John and his staff was a revelation that blew my mind, because they held a mentoring space that was unlike anything I had experienced before.    This experience changed the way I tracked animals, connected to nature, taught and led my camps, trainings and programs. It even affected my personal and community relationships   In this first of a series of conversations, we dive into what learning tracking does to us and for us as human beings, and John describes his apprenticeship with some of the best trackers in the world.    Please enjoy Episode #133. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

It came out of nowhere, right as hundreds of Forest School Leaders were preparing for the Autumn semester:   An opinion piece in The Guardian ominously titled "I'm All For the Concept of Forest School, Just Not the Kind I Pulled My Kids Out Of." by Emma Brockes. It's just six paragraphs of cynical observations around schools, camps, forest schools and misunderstanding, but it packs a lot of criticism for nature education without a lot of detail, nuance or substance.    It's the kind of piece that can and did get under the skin of a LOT of dedicated, passionate educators who did not take kindly to the views expressed.    Asa Hardy-Brownlie and I discuss this and nature education media narratives in detail and talk about the challenges we face as a profession to effectively respond to these kinds of pieces that can really skew the understanding of parents, teachers and schools.    What sorts of ways do we want to communicate what we do and why it's important and valuable to children and families?      We talk about websites, social media and ideas and ways of shaping our messaging so it sticks and is effective, which are some of the gold nuggets we can glean from this experience. Guardian Article:       https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/16/forest-school-kids-children-wholesomeness?fbclid=IwY2xjawFGHjpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcPiqmTXxigdia-3hUHjNGD_dfrvCltmCkKI5uvVO3IU0-v5O--Fq5vabQ_aem_b_HsH0bqger7b-YmGOCfRg Building a Story Brand Book by Donald Miller:        https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400201837/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=AX2JROIIWRZYD&psc=1 The Forest School Podcast:       https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-forest-school-podcast/id1389962726 The Forest School Assistance & Support Facebook Page:     https://www.facebook.com/groups/forestschoolas/posts/1921709608278764/?comment_id=1921860808263644&reply_comment_id=1922381681544890¬if_id=1725393778098826¬if_t=group_comment_mention Portugal Forest School Reel:    https://www.facebook.com/reel/548887540806850 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

The task of communicating the value and benefits of what we do as nature based educators is vital to the long and short term success of our mission/vision, so 'marketing' is one of the hats we wear as part of our leadership roles.  But often, we are SO reluctant and hesitant to promote ourselves, and talk about it, and I've seen a LOT of people get really uncomfortable taking the leap into even thinking about it!   Enter my guest for this episode:  Elizabeth Clyde.  She's been doing 'holistic marketing' for over 17 years with a variety of different businesses and companies, and she shares her view on how the field of marketing has changed over the past few years and where it seems to be heading in the short term future.    If you are one of those people whose website or Instagram or other social media network could use some fresh ideas, this episode is for you. LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethclyde1/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

This episode explores the phenomenon that often occurs when we work with people in nature, where there is a moment of touching the divine, or the light.  We also tackle the flip side, where someone in our care goes down, to the rich, warm darkness, where things get raw and primal.    I share about why I find the duality principle both lazy and inadequate as a metaphor, and how its oversimplification can be limiting or even traumatizing for some students.  Using the 'ecosystem' as a new model, I share examples of approaches I've found helpful when either polarity shows up in our work as educators, often unexpectedly.    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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

The world of medicine and academia seems to run on a different timeline than the modern world. Changes take time to process, evaluate, become revised and eventually, approved for integration into the working model for treatment or training.  There are good reasons for this process, because acting too quickly can create a lot of confusion, waste of money and time and generally degrade the public opinion of these institutions, but to an outsider, it can be maddening to watch and wait in real time. The origins of 'eco-psychology' as a branch of mental health treatment and approach began on the personal experiences of therapists and counsellors, and hundreds of studies are confirming its efficacy over the past twenty years.   My guest in this episode is Linda Buzzell, MA, LMFT, who is an adjunct faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, author of Ecopsychology: Healing with Nature in Mind and an ecopsychologist.  She shares why nature is important in the healing process for humans for both physical and mental health, and how it can benefit us as educators to understand what is happening when we take children or adults outside. LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-buzzell-ma-lmft-2949ab13/ Book:       https://www.amazon.com/Ecotherapy-Healing-Nature-Linda-Buzzell/dp/1578051614/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aAMoldtOyUOD9zSZw0MQx22aqKO-MsSYM5jdfT4ltxHGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.4laEq4b-6Uu9e2U3_hslfnQ8jv4wmV-th0Rgv0Iq99E&dib_tag=se&qid=1724950917&refinements=p_27%3ALinda+Buzzell&s=books&sr=1-1 Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/p/Linda-Buzzell-100063776733917/ Pacifica Graduate Institute:   https://www.pacifica.edu/pacifica-news/nature-connection-practices-that-heal-an-interview-with-linda-buzzell-lmft/ Written Articles:    https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linda-Buzzell 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

This episode is for nature educators AND Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Schools and Organizations, as it dives into the reasons why professional Nature Education Programs are priced the way they are.   I present some ideas and details that can promote understanding moving forward, and share some ways that schools, parents, grandparents and organizations can save $ in some cases. This is a great episode to share with your staff, your student parents, or for schools that you work with, if you feel that they sometimes have trouble 'getting the bigger picture' in the process of setting up or selecting nature programs for students or children.  It can help facilitate a more meaningful discussion that includes factors that most people don't understand about nature educators, or take into consideration, so it's meant to support and promote the value of your work. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Reuben Piet joins the Forest Educator from Cape Town as a singer, songwriter, musician and transformational nature leader.  He draws upon his ancestral roots to create powerful experiences for people of all ages, awakening an ancient remembering of who we are, and why we are here.  South Africa, like most of Africa, is a melting pot of diversity, cultures, languages and perspectives, and Reuben shares how he finds common ground and calls for a new consciousness and way of living that goes beyond our current cultural norms into something new that can heal our world. He leads retreats and pilgrimages of healing and renewal with SAN elder Oom Piet in northern South Africa that offer insights into an awareness of life that has been maintained for centuries by the elders and their communities. LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/reuben-reubicon-piet-216493149/ YouTube:      https://youtu.be/JE3jrz3YCfs?si=LZ7Gk1mrgDw7TvPj 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

I don't think it's a stretch to say that Tom Brown Jr leaves quite a 'wake' in his passing.  He's taught thousands of students, both through his books and Tracker School, and he's been a 'force of nature' in these past five decades.   He's been a mentor, a guide, a father figure to many whose fathers were absent, and he won't ever fully know the depth of his presence or impact had on those who leaned in to his teaching.    He was complicated, and a little wild.  Untamed, I guess I'd call it.  Kinda like the ocean, where you never turn your back on him if you could help it!  Not dangerous, but man, that piercing gaze that was like X-ray vision, peering into your soul.    It didn't happen often, but when he'd mention something he'd seen in my tracks, about my life or work, it would always be spot on.  Every time.    I took a lot of classes back in the 80's and 90's, and was an assistant instructor on many classes too, and he always had something new to teach, that I had never heard or seen before, so I knew he was just scratching the surface of his skills and abilities, even in the 'advanced classes'.    He didn't tolerate mind games, or time wasters or fools, and I learned a lot about boundaries, and inner strength and conviction from observing his teaching style over the years.   On the flip side, he was funny.  REALLY FUNNY, and he had that type of humor that was 'old school' but also not aimed at putting someone down in a mean, or harsh way.   When there were students who were more serious or sensitive, his gentle side would come out as well.  It was always a joy to see. This episode is about the impact he had on my life.   I trust he's tracking in the canyons of the Other Side, following Grandfather or one of his older instructors through the sage.  Journey well and good medicine to you, my friend. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

When I first started learning wilderness skills and discovering wild foods, my mentors taught and also modeled a deep sense of gratitude to these living beings that we used every day.  I didn't know how to do it the 'right way', but I made every attempt to show my appreciation, b0th out loud and in my head.  What I wasn't prepared for was the feeling that I had from THEM, which was both intuitive and at other times, clear and concise with detailed information that held up!    There is no question that all wild foods leaders, herbalists and foragers are essential Forest Educators who hold a powerful role in our circle, so it was really meaningful to have this conversation with author and educator Liz Neves.  Her wild plant walks in Brooklyn and other parts of the NYC area have been a wonderful learning opportunity for urban dwellers looking for more nature.   We explored her work, her book Northeast Medicinal Plants and some of our favorite plants, too!  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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

If you want to add depth and meaning to your relationship to the natural world, a little research, study and discovery of our natural history, geography, cultural history and flora & fauna that surrounds us!  It's all about understanding different unique aspects of our small corner of the world, and how it's special, just like our students and ourselves.     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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Support the Walden Project: https://rmsc.org/cumming-nature-center/the-walden-project/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

If you haven't been in a situation where something happens that is unexpected, then congratulations!  You probably have an amazing overworked program director who is really NAILING IT as far as logistics, details, staff training, student screening and daily monitoring of everything in your program!  Enjoy it while it lasts.  Live the dream! If, on the other hand, you know what it's like when things go sideways, or headfirst into the ditch, metaphorically speaking, then this episode is for you!    There are a lot of moving parts, details, logistics, planning, equipment, staffing and so much more in pretty much every nature program, and because we work in 'human development', it's very difficult to get it all right, all of the time. In this episode, we will break down the four main categories of 'issues' that can happen, and how to keep them from derailing your program, camp or adventure even when things don't go as planned. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

To many (most?) people in our current culture, nature is a literal 'wall of green' that contains plants, trees, vines, bushes and shrubs, all interwoven in a way that is virtually indistinguishable from each other.    It can seem impenetrable, and overwhelming, even, to begin to make sense of it.   If you are thinking of actually eating some of these wild foods, or using them medicinally, the stress factor can jump into the red zone almost instantly. My guest this episode has spent years around wild plants, trees and shrubs, learning and sampling both the medicinal and edible varieties and also exploring their 'survival' uses as well.    Zak Baker has lived in the Midwest and in the Western states, and he's spent an amazing amount of time unraveling how these important resources were part of the very cultural identity and connection to the native peoples who used them daily. We talk about his early years in Ohio, and his professional adventures and his wonderful Bushlore Press, too.   We dig into his pocket field guides and bush cards, how he created them to be a resource for anyone wanting to learn on the trail and into the wild. Bushlore Press LLC Website:    BushlorePress.com Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/bushlorepress/ Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/bushlorepress LinkedIn:     https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-baker-59a05745/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

I'm pretty sure we could all benefit from reducing the frenetic pace that seems to go hand in hand with our modern culture. It's a great topic, but it's not what I'm describing in this episode!  Instead, I've spent most of my time on two of the most important tools in my 'nature awareness' toolkit that I know.  They are based in mindfulness practices that have helped me immensely in multiple ways in my life, and in my nature education programs and trainings. They focus on very subtle body awareness techniques that can be used to enhance our energy, focus, inner 'alignment' and decision making.  They slow down time, and give us choices when we are under pressure.  They also help us access some very powerful states of awareness that have saved me in more than a few situations both in the woods and in our modern cultural settings.  These two practices are called 'breath to heart' and 'quarter-time', which I learned over years of study with Tom Brown, Jr in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.  I don't know of the exact origins of each, but they were part of a concerted effort by Tom and his instructors to give us layers of exercises that have delivered powerful outcomes when I have needed them most. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Life in the Great White North can be cold and hard at times, but that makes the warmer seasons all the sweeter, from Maple Syrup Season to Sumac Gathering and so much more.  The power of nature is reflected in daily life, and living close helps us see the metaphors and parallels that we echo in our own human cultural patterns. Join Chris Gilmour and I as we explore forest educator training, youth adventure, stories of beaver ponds and much more in this episode.  Chris shares powerful lessons that draw from over twenty years as an outdoor professional, leading groups, apprenticeships and foraging programs, with his experience in wilderness survival, bushcraft, nature awareness and earth living skills too.    It was really interesting to hear his perspective on the value of the 'Soft Skills' that are often misunderstood or underutilized in many traditional wilderness programs, and how they are shaping his training and students in powerful, beneficial ways. ------- Connect with Chris: Website:   https://www.chrisoutdoors.ca/ Wild Muskoka Botanicals Website:   https://wildmuskoka.com/ Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/chrisoutdoorson/ Wild Muskoka Botanicals Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/wildmuskoka/ YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/c/ChangingWorldProjectChrisOutdoors LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisoutdoors/?trk=public_profile_recommendations&originalSubdomain=ca Email:    Chris@chrisoutdoors.ca Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chrisoutdoorsmentoring TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisoutdoorson?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0zB5lj6iB9vK8Eg5n4X2Yesa0zvz2pHJC4IhqVpe3Hd_MmBSrEiyRK2qQ_aem_R2l6Dd2Vh8liJszokrSGsA 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

It was early August, in Harlemville New York.  It was a six week immersion into the natural world, in one of my first 'wilderness skills learning intensives', with just a few tools, a blanket and a desire to see the world from a different perspective. This episode is a recounting of some of my adventures with wildlife, and why I still can't stand roasted apples.    Thank you to the listeners who have been asking for more stories.  These are for you! 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

In the olden days, before the internet, when you ran a workshop or a skills class or wild foods program, you could usually skip the student evaluation forms and questionnaires.  Participants just 'got the experience' and that was the deal.  There wasn't any trolling, or review bombing, because there were no online reviews.  You might get a letter, if people felt a certain way about your offering, but often times it was something positive rather than negative. In 2024, however, outcomes and evaluations matter.  We have a lot more opportunities to connect with our students, and understand the class from their perspective, and it's a whole new world.    Quite frankly, it's a much better world.    The simple truth is this:  The more we ask, the more we know, and the faster we can get better at what we do. This episode is a quick dive into understanding the importance of understanding our metrics, gathering data, self evaluations vs outside assessment, setting our own goals and best of all, how they can help make us better educators. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

It's one thing to have a 'vision' or idea that is inspiring and exciting and full of hope and promise.  It's also a WHOLE other thing to actually bring it into the real world, grounded and fully expressed and achieving outcomes. When we take that leap into the unknown, it's scary, risky, stressful and even wonderful; a lot of intense emotions all rolled into a kaleidoscope blender that most of the time, we are not fully prepared to handle. Sometimes, we even have unexpected 'inner barriers' that show up, with hesitation, procrastination, tangible fear in sharing something from the heart, rejection sensitivity and anxiety.  These inner challenges are no joke, and they can stop our visionary work in its tracks if we don't figure out how to navigate and work around them. In this episode, we explore these issues and more, with an emphasis on solutions and strategies that can help us keep going. 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

There are literally piles of research about the benefits of contact with nature for human beings, and most of the time, we think of 'forest experiences' primarily for children.  Monica Eastway shares her work with people who are in their 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's, and why nature is vital for this segment of our community.   She shares stories of how nature experiences improve the quality of life for those in managed or skilled care facilities, and her quest to facilitate change  as a true paradigm shift for ALL of us. We discuss some of the work that's being done in the Netherlands, Finland and Esalen, CA, and the impact that nature can have for families and people of all ages.  Her vision includes helping our American fear of 'growing old' and seeing the aging process with grace, self acceptance and even joy. Monica's website:   https://www.monicaeastway.com/ Monica's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-eastway/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Ever since I was a kid I was always fascinated by the concept of 'time'.    I know I am not alone, because it's a pretty popular theme over the last four decades or so.  Madeline L'Engle's Wrinkle In Time was one of my first steps into a different world.  The time differences in the world of Narnia was pretty interesting!  Then came the wildly unexpected Time Bandits and the fun of Back to the Future. The Time Lords and Dr. Who.  The resetting of time in Edge of Tomorrow high stakes battle for Earth.  Hot Tub Time Machine.  The compression of time in Interstellar and Inception.  HG Wells' The Time Machine.  Groundhog Day.  The Time Heists of Avengers: Endgame and the TVA of Marvel's Loki were some of the more recent forays, but there are literally tons of shows like Quantum Leap, or Travellers, or The Umbrella Academy and yes, Outlander.... I'd like to believe that time travel is possible but it's probably not, at least, not in the way that these shows seem to depict it.  However, there are some situations and experiences that I have had in my forays into nature and leading groups that have broadened my understanding of time and its paradoxes and oddities and gifts, so, I figured we better talk about it! No hot tubs required! 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

If there is a defining moment for nature education in the past five years, it always seems to be found during the Covid Pandemic.  It was in this time that we see major shifts in the way we work, teach, learn and grow, as it accentuated the many changes that children, youth, families and adults were already showing prior to the coronavirus, and virtually all nature programs felt the effects.    In this episode, Jason Knight of Alderleaf shares how his organization responded to these forces, and how his program and community has pulled together to find ways to thrive in an ever-evolving world.  He launched some online programs, and even wrote a great book called 'The Essential Skills of Wilderness Survival', while also running lots of local programs and raising a family. Sometimes, we are all forced to 'embrace' change, whether we like it or not, but Jason's gifts have allowed him to take it to the next level.  It's a great conversation that can benefit anyone running nature programs, and gives us a little 'behind the scenes' feeling at times as we explore many relevant topics along the way. Website:   WildernessCollege.com Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/alderleafwildernesscollege Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/alderleafwildernesscollege/ LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/company/alderleaf-wilderness-college/ 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/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra