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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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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