Advertise on podcast: 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

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 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