Talaterra

Rebecca Rolnick is a naturalist, writer, and educator. She is the founder of Forest School-to-You and leads in-person and online programs for both K-12 students and adults. Rebecca also leads conversations about neurodiversity in environmental education.What is neurodiversity?Why is Rebecca inviting environmental educators to conversations about this topic?Let’s find out. LINKSAbout me Rebecca Rolnick: Naturalist | Writer | Educator www.rebeccarolnick.com IG: @forestschooltoyouYoutube: Forest School-to-YouRecordings of Nature Journal Writing Workshops; other Nature Journaling videos John Muir Law's Nature Journal Community CalendarIncludes my free class, Nature Journal “Writing Workshop Wednesdays” Free mini-ebook “Science & Imagination: Exploring Words in Your Nature Journal” Get notified when registration opens soon for “Nature Journaling for Re-STORY-ation Course, and free class coming soon “A World Full of Stories”:Join the waitlist_____________________________________________Other Resources That I Li

Today my guest is Mindi Rosser.Mindi helps business owners and subject matter experts have conversations with their LinkedIn audience, peers, and prospects.Mindi helps people establish a presence based on trust, authenticity, and consistency. I invited Mindi to talk about how independent professionals can establish credibility in their respective fields.Joining us today is a panel of independent professionals representing STEM fields, photography, and storytelling.You will hear from Mindi and me first. Then you will begin to hear from the guest panel.Let’s join the conversation. LINKSMindi Rosser helps B2B business owners, thought leaders, and subject matter experts to start having great conversations with their audience, prospects, and peers based on trust, authenticity, and consistency on LinkedIn. She's worked within the agency world, with startups, and then decided to branch out to work directly with business leaders on their social presence, building thought leadership and working with them to fill their

Jim Folsom is the creator and host of @BotanyInContext, a fun and fascinating channel on TikTok about the plants we engage with and see in our daily lives. Jim is a teacher, a gardener, a botanist, and a cook who enjoys talking about plants. He is also Director Emeritus of the botanical gardens at The Huntington, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in Southern California. In this episode, Jim tells us about his TikTok channel, the 1,000-page botanical book he wrote, and what he would like the public to understand about plants. LINKSBotany In Context (website)@BotanyInContext (TikTok)A Botanical Reader (Apple Books)Orthosiphon aristarusObedient PlantNesocodon (Gecko-pollinated flower)Edward LumTale of the Bean (TikTok)Tale of the Bean (PDF download)Glass Flowers at Harvard UniversityWhy Plants and Gardens Matter

Dr. Marijke Hecht is an Assistant Professor at Penn State whose research of urban greenspaces involves the interaction between humans and more-than-human nature. In 2019 I read Dr. Hecht's paper about cultivating 21st-century naturalists. When I sat down with Dr. Hecht to discuss her research, she was then a doctoral candidate at the University of Pittsburgh. I am excited to share that Dr. Hecht's dissertation is now complete and has been published. If you have an interest in identity development, out-of-school learning, informal science education, or curriculum design, consider reading Marijke’s dissertation. You’ll find a link in the show notes.Before you dig in, listen to our conversation first. This will give you a solid introduction to Dr. Hecht's research. LINKSMarijke Hecht (Faculty Profile at Penn State)Dr. Hecht's Dissertation (2020)

Dr. Brad McLain is a social scientist interested in the nature and psychology of identity development, learning, and leadership.He is the Director of the Center for STEM Learning at the University of Colorado Boulder, and a Senior Researcher and Director of Corporate Research at the National Center for Women in Information Technology,I reached out to Dr. McLain after reading a chapter he wrote about identity construction in informal science educators.In this episode, we discuss identity theory. We discuss what informal science educators have in common with independent environmental education professionals, Dr. McLain’s work as chair of Dr. Jane Goodall’s US Roots & Shoots program, and his current research dedicated to the design of transformative experiences.What is identity theory?How do transformative experiences work?Let’s find out. LINKSPreparing Informal Science Educators (Book)Informal Science Educator Identity ConstructionInspire Me: Dr. Brad McLain at TEDx LincolnCenter for STEM Learning, Universi

The Friends of Talaterra. LINKSSurvey - Friends of Talaterra

Dina Falconi and Wendy Hollender discuss how they wrote and illustrated their award-winning book, "Foraging and Feasting: A Field Guide to Wild Food Cookbook." They also discuss how they launched a  successful Kickstarter campaign to raise money for their project.Dina Falconi is a clinical herbalist, author, and teacher. Her specialty areas are food activism and nutritional healing. Wendy Hollender is a botanical artist, illustrator, and author. She is one of the world's leading experts in using colored pencils and watercolor in detailed botanical illustrations. LINKSForaging and Feasting: A Field Guide to Wild Food Cookbook (Botanical Arts Press)Kickstarter CampaignForaging and Feasting on InstagramForaging and Feasting on FacebookDina Falconi on YouTubeWendyHollender.comDrawBotanical.comWendy Hollender on YouTubeTalaterra on YouTube Theme music for the podcast is provided by:Jahzzar, So Far So Close, CC By 4.0 US (Episode 16 - onward) 

Eleanor Chaney is a freelance artist and educator. She is also the founder and creative director of The Library of Nature, an online resource for children. In this episode, Eleanor and I discuss how her experience as a contemporary artist has informed her approach to art, nature, teaching, and learning. We also talk about Eleanor's exquisite paper sculptures, her enthusiasm for natural history books, and how she secured enough funding to launch her project. LINKSEleanor's websiteSign up for Eleanor's free five-day mini-courseFacebookInstagramYouTubeThe Library Of Nature:Library of Nature WebsiteLibrary of Nature on FacebookLibrary of Nature on InstagramSpecial ThanksJanice Benson for supporting Eleanor with her application for The Library Of Nature; Neil Mather for his help and support on the project, and Tullie House Museum and Gallery for their support on Eleanor's recent Hidden Natural Histories project. Theme music for the podcast is provided by:Jahzzar, So Far So Close, CC By 4.0 US (Episode 16 - onward)

Today my guest is Rebecca Kling.Rebecca is an educator, performer, community organizer, storyteller, and advocate for social change.Rebecca is also an advocate for transgender rights, is involved in the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, and is the co-founder of Better World Collaborative, a trans, woman, and Latinx-owned consultancy rooted in social justice and the creative arts.I met Rebecca in the pilot of the Earth Stories workshop that was hosted by StoryCenter. We learned about Earth Stories in the last episode.The workshop was my introduction to her advocacy work, and how storytelling is a tool she uses throughout her work with individuals and organizations.It is this aspect of her work that we will focus on today. LINKSRebeccaKling.comRebecca on Twitter (@RebeccaKling)Better World CollaborativeBeyond Coal Initiative, Sierra Club"Not Permanent" - A short film by Rebecca Kling, featured in the Earth Stories playlist by StoryCenter.NEW! Storytelling for Advocacy, an interactive workshop with Rebecca Kli

Today we are joined by Amy Hill, Yakuta Poonawalla, and Cassidy Villeneuve, creators, and facilitators of a new workshop experience at StoryCenter, the founders of the digital storytelling movement. I met Amy, Yakuta, and Cassidy while a student in the pilot of the Earth Stories workshop. This workshop focuses on the personal connections individuals have with the natural world.In this conversation, Amy, Yakuta, Cassidy, and I talk about how this workshop was created, how digital storytelling can change peoples’ minds, and so much more. LINKSStoryCenterView films from Earth Stories pilotFrameworks InstituteEpisodic vs. Thematic StoriesPaolo Friere GUEST PROFILESAmy Hill, StoryCenterAmy is director of Silence Speaks, an initiative that works to bring personal stories into education and advocacy environments around women's rights and human rights. Amy also coordinates a lot of StoryCenter's social justice and environmental justice work.Yakuta Poonawalla, Earth Stories FacilitatorYakuta works at Golden Gate Parks

Susan B. Inches is an author, educator, and environmental advocate. In this episode, we discuss her career and new book, “Advocating for the Environment: How to Gather Your Power and Take Action.”How did Susan become an independent advocate?What is the difference between advocacy and direct action?How can advocates connect with decision-makers?Let’s find out. LINKSSusan B. Inches - Author, Educator, Environmental AdvocatePine Tree AmendmentFrameworks InstituteBuy "Advocating for the Environment" **Note: Talaterra is a Bookshop.org affiliate.  Theme music for the podcast is provided by:Jason Shaw, Audionautix, CC By 3.0 US (Episodes 1 - 15)Jahzzar, So Far So Close, CC By 4.0 US (Episode 16 - onward)

Scientific illustrator and science communicator, Gretchen Halpert, discusses how she entered the field of science illustration, shares a story about the time she demonstrated the value of drawing at a medical school, and tells us about the distance learning program she created for anyone interested in learning about scientific illustration.  LINKSScientific Illustration Distance Program Guild of Natural Science Illustrators

Environmental and cultural educator, Miguel Cruz, prepares to launch environmental education programs in Mexico and to learn Otomi, his family's indigenous language. LINKSMiguel's YouTube channel - Nature, Culture, Nurture (@venconmige)Facebook (@venconmige)Instagram (@venconmige)Miguel on LinkedInInformation about ethnicity and language (Otomi)Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival (AICLS)AICLS Master Apprentice ProgramNative-Land.caBEETLESEE Forward Summit

Tami Cole and her family established Optimistic Orchard to create sustainable and healthy food systems in prisons.How are they doing?Let's find out. __________LINKSOptimistic OrchardBlooming Hope ProjectKiss the GroundPhoto Contest for a Cause (Regenerative Theme)Flyers for photo contest and talent showLegacy Alliance OutreachLas Positas CollegeLegaseeds   

This summer, I have the wonderful opportunity to be involved with projects addressing conversations around climate change. I couldn't do this work without revisiting the book "Communicating Climate Change: A Guide for Educators" by Anne Armstrong.Anne Armstrong is an author, an educator, and a Ph.D. student in the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University.She is also the mother of a young daughter who inspires her investigation into how environmental educators communicate climate change.Anne stopped by to discuss her new book, "Communicating Climate Change: A Guide for Educators."What kind of field experiences inspired Anne to write her book?How can environmental educators facilitate conversations about climate change?What types of resources can educators use to develop programs about climate change?Let’s find out. (This is a remix of the original episode that was published on October 2, 2019.) LINKSAnne ArmstrongCommunicating Climate Change: A Guide for Educators ($19.95), Cornell University Pres

The Ecology School in Saco, Maine began as a seasonal outdoor camp in a rented facility. Today it is an established institution on a 105-acre working farm and is about to open two of the greenest buildings in the country for a residential environmental education center. How did founder Drew Dumsch and his colleagues turn an idea into The Ecology School?Let's find out. AN INVITATION The Ecology School explores ways that we, as humans, can build communities that sustain the very ecosystems that in turn sustain us. Beginning in the Summer of 2021, with the opening of their new campus at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine, The Ecology School is offering overnight summer camp experiences for both families and youth. River Bend Farm Family Camp is now accepting applications for its July and October sessions. Listeners to the Talaterra podcast can receive 25% off the cost of River Bend Farm Family Camp by emailing  info@theecologyschool.org and mentioning the podcast! To learn more about The Ecology School, visit www.Th

A recap of the first EE Forward Summit, a professional development and partnership-building event for independent environmental education professionals and community partners. LINKSMeghan McCarroll - What We Know About Water What We Know About Water: A Water Literacy ReviewDiane Wyzga - Communication and Story SkillsRupu Gupta - Inclusive Approaches in Climate Resilience PartnershipsErica Fielder - Designing Interpretive Displays About WatershedsDon Smith - Food, Water & You (Kiss the Ground)Mark & Crystal Mandica - The Amphibian FoundationAlastair Duncan - StillWalksBethan Burton - Journaling with Nature

Our preoccupation with time has led to an affliction author Christian McEwen calls "hurry sickness." As we kick off a new summer season, here are three suggestions to help you wind down and leave timers and alerts behind. LINKSChristian McEwenWorld Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing DownThe Alphabet of the Trees: A Guide to Naure doin.Bethan Burton, International Nature Journaling WeekBethan Burton,  Building Bridges     

Time. Money. Liveable wage. To be taken seriously.Be more visible.More opportunities.These are things independent educators have told me they want.And this is only a partial list.The items on this list and the items I’m not talking about today inform the work I do for The Freelance Condition and Lifelong Learning in Communities Project, as well as the other initiatives led at Talaterra.This list of six items — time, money, livable wage, to be taken seriously, being more visible, and having more opportunities can be addressed by answering this question… LINKSAustin Kleon’s Show Your Work!The TrailheadView a recorded live stream conversation about the EE Forward Summit on a special pop-up edition of Creative on Purpose Live!

There’s a new event designed with the independent environmental education professional in mind.What’s it about?Let’s find out. LINKSMore about the EE Forward Summit