Episode 112 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Preparing our Children for Climate Change

Episode 112 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Preparing our Children for Climate Change

Author: Ricardo Sierra July 2, 2024 Duration: 53:55
There is one thing that is certain in our world, whether or not we 'believe' in climate change, and that is that our lives and the lives of our young students, is going to change.  A lot.   Being adaptable, fluid, responsive and creative are key necessary ingredients to have if we want to be able to handle change in a positive way.  Most people struggle with even minor changes in their lives, especially when we have no control over what is happening.  It can be debilitating and anxiety producing and managing that kind of response is difficult for everyone. This is where nature education can be literally life saving for our students.   By giving them skills that help them manage their mental and emotional health, we are giving them an advantage over those who struggle to 'hold it all together'.   Giving them problem solving skills, communication skills, awareness and gratitude, we lay a foundation that they can build a life from, even in a world that our own grandparents might not recognize. The importance of nature educators in this context is vital to the long term survival of our species and I believe it will have a powerful impact for those students and parents who understand the stakes and are willing to invest in their child's welfare in both the short term and 'down the road' thinking.    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

Ricardo Sierra has spent over three decades working in wilderness education, and that depth of experience shapes every conversation in Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of genuine dialogues with educators and practitioners around the world who are actively reimagining how we learn in and with the natural world. You'll hear from people integrating nature into schoolyards, running innovative forest camps, and applying outdoor principles in surprising business and leadership contexts. The discussions are grounded in the practical realities of the field-think less about abstract theory and more about tangible tools, adaptable strategies, and the honest challenges these pioneers face. Released twice weekly, each episode feels like pulling up a stump in the woods to listen in on a candid exchange between colleagues. Whether you're directly involved in outdoor programming, curious about the intersection of wilderness and professional development, or simply believe in the transformative power of a hands-on education, this podcast offers a steady source of inspiration and actionable insight drawn directly from the front lines of nature-based learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education
Podcast Episodes
Forest Educator Spotlight REPLAY: The Forest Educator's Secret Sauce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:10
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 R…
Forest Educator Spotlight REPLAY: Working with Middle Schoolers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:12
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 th…
Forest Educator Spotlight REPLAY: The Bonding Paradox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:58
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 s…
Episode 156 - The Power of Science and Nature with Danny Rosenstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:05
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 environme…
Episode 155 (REPLAY) - The Forest Educator Spotlight: Cold Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
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, unst…