Talaterra

During the past month, we’ve been able to learn about biophilic design and how graphic narratives can be used as effective learning tools.My conversations with biophilic designer Sonja Bochart and illustrator Michi Mathias made me reflect on the conversation I had with Susan Chung in December 2019.Susan is an illustrator with the Co-Design Group which is an association of architects, designers, and researchers in Canada. The Co-Design Group doesn’t design buildings, they design how life is lived in and around public spaces.If you appreciate biophilic design and value the power of graphic narratives, you’ll want to listen to this conversation.I hope you enjoy it. LINKSView links and images in the show notes at Talaterra.com.

Michi Mathias is an illustrator, author, and educator who creates informational illustrations to help people teach complicated concepts. She has written and illustrated short graphic narratives, a booklet about the science moments we experience every day, and a fun interactive comic about a day in the life of a freelance professional who is trying to get kids to school on time while getting work done. It is written in a “choose-your-own-adventure” type of format and is a lot of fun.How did Michi begin her illustration and graphic novel practice?How does she find the story in her projects?How does she illustrate to inspire behavior change?Let’s find out. LINKSMichiMathias.comMichi on LinkedInGo behind-the-scenes of Michi’s book projectsArticle about children, gardening, and comics.Photosynthesis comic bookScientific illustration hack for wiggly campers

Today we reflect on the green spaces where we live.Beyond parks and gardens, we sometimes find green spaces inside buildings, between buildings, on tops of buildings, in parking lots, and in places, we may not expect to find them.When we do find them, we may not recognize them as green spaces, yet we experience the restful changes in mood these spaces were designed to create.Today we get to learn from Sonja Bochart, LEED-accredited independent professional whose expertise is in interior design, health and wellness, and regenerative design. LINKSSonja Bochart Wellbeing+DesignSonja on LinkedInSonja on Twitter (@sonjabochart)TEDx - How Buildings Can Make Us BetterProject for Public SpacesBiophilic CitiesStephen R, Kellert

Sally Bensusen is a former astronomer, a graphic designer, and a scientific illustrator. Her illustrations have been used by the National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and Scientific American magazine.In 2019 she retired as a graphic designer from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.Sally is the founding director of The Leonardo Principle, a new endeavor destined to become a library of STEAM activities focused on developing observation skills blending art and science.What prompted Sally to create the Leonardo Principle?How did she launch this initiative?When did Sally's love of drawing begin?Let's find out. LINKSThe Leonardo Principle 

Claudia Diaz-Carrasco discusses how she engages with Latinx youth in Southern California as the 4-H Youth Development Advisor for the University of California Extension. This episode originally aired in 2019. Since then, Claudia's community research has informed the work of many practitioners. At the end of this episode, I introduce a new resource based on Claudia's work. LINKSOverview of Guiding Principles for Engaging Latinx Youth

Dean Waye is a professional copywriter who helps independent professionals, small business owners, and corporations write copy for their respective initiatives. He also produces webinars as Chief Copywriter at WebinarGhostWriter.com. In today's episode, Dean and I talk about writing for LinkedIn, how to hold your audience's attention, and how to create online presentations. Dean shares valuable insight and resources environmental education professionals can use to develop presentations for their programs. As we enter another year in this new era of distance learning, you'll want to hear what Dean has to say about earning your audience's attention. LINKSLearn more from Dean at CMOWebinars.com 

If environmental education organizations do not open by the end of 2020, it is estimated that 11 million children will miss out on outdoor learning opportunities. This statement comes from the policy brief created by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley. This policy brief is titled "A Field at Risk: The Impact of COVID-19 on Environmental and Outdoor Science Education." This policy brief is the result of a survey that the Lawrence Hall of Science and its partners conducted in April of last year.Nine hundred ninety-five organizations responded to this survey. These organizations included science centers, museums, nature centers, school districts, aquaria parks, government agencies, colleges, universities, and some Botanic gardens too.The information in this brief is not encouraging. The research group estimated that in addition to the 11 million children who would be missing out on outdoor learning opportunities, the 995 participating organizations may lose $600 million in rev

Sara Lynn Cramb is a designer and illustrator who creates illustrations for children’s books, apps, and other educational products. Sara’s clients include Scholastic, Nosy Crow, Silver Dolphin Books, Cambridge University Press, and the Akron Zoo.Through her work, she introduces young learners to the world outside their doors. She also teaches them about human biology, geography, molecules, and more.Sara’s Nature Coloring Pages caught my eye and I reached out to her to learn more about them.Sara has worked as a freelance professional for more than 7 years. In today’s episode, I speak with her about her work and how she built her career. LINKSSara Lynn CreativeNature Activity Sheets by SaraSara's Red Bubble Store (magnets, stickers, children's clothes, and more)Sara on Instagram (@saralynncreative)

Welcome to the new year and to part two of our look at some of the themes that have emerged from my conversations with guests of this podcast.I have had the good fortune to interview more than 40 guests since launching the podcast two years ago this month. Guests have come from many fields. What they share in common is their commitment to nurturing peoples’ relationship with the outdoors and their status as independent professionals.In the previous episode, we took a look at guests’ earliest memories of enjoying nature.Today we’ll hear guests talk about the moment nature became important to them. LINKSRayma PetersonDr. Marijke HechtJohn Muir LawsTina DemirdjianDr. Stephanie Dole 

Since launching the podcast, I've had the opportunity to learn from 43 wonderful guests. Along the way, I started asking guests questions about their earliest experiences with nature. I also started to ask guests when it was that nature became important to them. These became the show's signature questions.In this episode, we reflect on themes emerging from guest responses to the question:What is your earliest memory of enjoying nature? LINKSKate FieldDr. Kathayoon KhalilKatura ReynoldsCrystal MandicaBethan BurtonJohn Muir LawsTalaterra on Twitter (@Talaterra)

Nicole Felts is a biologist and ecologist by training and has a Bachelor's degree in biology and a Master's degree in geography and environmental systems. Nicole is also the co-founder and principal educator at Felts Family Farmette, a suburban farm she founded with her parents just as the pandemic began to change our lives. Nicole shares how she navigated her first year in business and talks about what she needs to learn next.If you've ever thought about starting an urban farm, bringing fresh and nutritious food to your community, and serving as an educational resource, you'll want to listen to Nicole's story.How did Nicole position herself for success?How did she decide on which farmer's market to join?What does five-star customer service look like to her?Let's find out. LINKSFelts Family Farmette on Instagram (@feltsfamilyfarmette)Felts Family Farmette on Facebook (@feltsfamilyfarmette)Do you have questions about starting your own small urban farm? Nicole has generously offered to respond to questions from

Dr. Lee Ann Woolery is a researcher, naturalist, educator, and artist. She is also the founder of EcoArt Expeditions and the Citizen Artist project. In this episode, Dr. Woolery and I discuss her interdisciplinary approach to ecological field research and the Train-the-Trainer pilot program that will launch in the new year. LINKSEcoArts ExpeditionsArt-Based Perceptual EcologyKnowing the Language of Place Through the ArtsDr. Woolery's publications on ResearchGateContact Dr. WooleryMaria Sibylla Merian, Smithsonian Institution     

Students in the United States like studying animals more than plants.People tend not to pay attention to the plants in their surroundings.These are only two factors contributing to a condition described as "plant blindness" in the botany and science education literature. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Elisabeth Schussler, one of the two botanists who coined the phrase in 1999. I also speak with Kathryn Parsley, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Memphis, whose specialty is botanical literacy. In a paper written for the journal "Plants People Planet," Kathryn makes a case for replacing the phrase "plant blindness" with Plant Awareness Disparity. Find out why formal and informal educators should consider doing the same. LINKSLinks to Kathryn Parsley's websites and projectsDr. Elisabeth Schussler, University of TennesseeArticle - Plant Awareness Disparity: A Case for Renaming Plant BlindnessArticle - Preventing Plant BlindnessBotanical Society of AmericaAmerican Society of Plant BiologistsPlant Identifica

The Trailhead is the newest initiative by Talaterra. It is an open forum for independent professionals working in environmental education. Learn more about this initiative and The Freelance Condition and Lifelong Learning in Communities project. LINKSThe TrailheadTalaterraShare Your Story

Today my guest is Dr. Kathayoon Khalil, conservation and education professional and the Conservation Impact Manager at the Oregon Zoo. Dr. Kahlil is all the co-author of "Practical Evaluation for Conservation Education and Outreach: Assessing Impacts and Enhancing Effectiveness."In my conversation with Dr. Khalil, we discuss why conservation is a people problem and not an animal problem. We talk about sociology, biology, anthropomorphism, and teaching in informal learning environments.What role does empathy play in environmental education?Let’s find out. LINKSKathayoon Kahlil on LinkedInSociety for Conservation BiologyEffective Practices for Fostering Empathy Towards Marine LifeMeasuring Empathy: Collaborative Assessment ProjectPlants as Persons: A Philosophical Botany*Practical Evaluation for Conservation Education and Outreach*The People Problem: Including Social Sciences in Wildlife ConservationLightning Talk at Seattle Aquarium (Death of Tahlequah) *Talaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.orgSocial media im

Rayma Peterson is a botanist, artist, and author. Her new book, "Very Fine Art Projects for Artists and Educators," features 29 projects perfect for classroom teachers, educators working in informal learning environments, and parents leading homeschool programs.Why did Rayma create this book of projects?How did she establish herself as a freelance artist and educator?How does she hope to guide people’s understanding of the outdoors with this book and  upcoming books?Let’s find out. LINKSRayma Peterson's websiteAmerican Society of Botanical ArtistsRayma's StudioAlberta Native Plant CouncilVery Fine Art Projects for Artists and EducatorsTreaty SixAlbrecht Durer’s “Great Piece of Turf”Contact Rayma

Sometimes I have the good fortune to visit with a past guest to find out how they are doing. Recently I had the opportunity to visit with Bethan Burton. Bethan and I spoke earlier this year when she was busy preparing for International Nature Journaling Week. It was March and global state-at-home orders were just beginning to be implemented. I reached out to Bethan to find out how things were going for her.How did International Nature Journaling Week go?What is Bethan working on now?Let’s find out. LINKSJournaling with Nature (Bethan’s website)Journaling with Nature PodcastWild Wonder Virtual Nature Journal Conference (Oct. 7-11, 2020)Brisbane Nature Journal ClubAmy Kirkbright, Melbourne Nature Journal ClubArt & Fear*  *Talaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

Today, my guest is Darrel Griffin. Darrel is a LinkedIn strategist who helps business owners and freelance professionals attract new clients. I had the opportunity to learn from Darrel last year and reached out to him to see if he had time to discuss how freelance environmental educators can use LinkedIn during this time. How should environmental education professionals present themselves on LinkedIn?Let's find out. LINKSPolicy Brief: A Field at RiskDarrel Griffin on LinkedInDarrel’s websiteRequest Darrel’s LinkedIn HandbookView transcript while listening 

Kathryn Owen is an independent evaluator who helps zoos, aquariums, nature centers, and conservation groups assess the effectiveness of their exhibitions, programs, and initiatives. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years.I reached out to Kathryn because I wanted to speak with her about doing evaluation in the kind of community settings where freelance educators often work — settings such as an environmental education fair, a neighborhood conference, or some other community event.How many ways are there to evaluate the impact of brief interactions at community events?Let’s find out. LINKSEmail Kathryn OwenKathryn Owen (LinkedIn)Kathryn offers free one-hour phone consults and is happy to offer feedback and suggestions on evaluating your programs.Helpful resources for those seeking more about evaluation include:My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant is an online tool that takes you step-by-step through the process of designing and implementing your own evaluation.The Visi

Alastair Duncan is an award-winning artist and educator who uses sound to interpret place. As founder and director of StillWalks he develops interactive projects that promote understanding of place and the outdoors.How does Alastair create StillWalks projects?What has he learned about sound?How does he work with schools, community organizations, a local prison, and immigration services?Let’s find out. LINKSStillWalksStillWalks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@stillwalks)Viewing Nature Scenes Positivity Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental StressView Through a Window May Influence Recovery from SurgeryFrom Orange to Blue: How Nature Imagery Affects Inmates in the “Blue Room”High Tide Birds soundtrack, courtesy of StillWalks®, all rights reserved. Correction: Near the end at 49:11, when talking about research, Alastair mentioned the University of Exeter. He intended to say the University of Essex. Thank you for listening.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends and