Earthy Chats Podcast

In which contexts is nature-based therapy most effective? What does it have to do with attachment theory, stress reduction theory, and attention restoration theory? How can nature help both children and adults (therapists included) stay regulated? Nevin also discusses outdoor risky play, when social-emotional learning is developmentally appropriate, and the limits of some contemporary approaches t...

Have you thought about starting a garden to use in your teaching? What if you’re in an urban area? Perhaps you’re working on a shoe-string budget. How can you get started and, most importantly, keep a garden going once the initial excitement fades? These are some of the questions and challenges that Noel Cibulka and the team at KidsGardening tackle on a daily basis. Noel joined us to talk all thin...

Jade is our resident chionophile (look it up), so she popped over to the other side of the mic for this episode about outdoor learning in places where winter is cold and snowy. There’s talk of winter mystery bags, using snowflakes as lessons prompts, connections to literacy, and the importance of movement. We also get into the nitty gritty of clothing and ways of ensuring that everyone has access...

Prepositions matter in this episode, specifically that three-letter word ‘for.’ What is outdoor learning ‘for’ assessment? How can we facilitate outdoor learning ‘for’ social-emotional learning (SEL)? Teacher, writer, podcaster, and regular sit-spot practitioner Lauren MacLean of Teach Outdoors joined us to talk assessment and SEL in the context of learning outdoors. We also got into the weeds reg...

There has been a sharp increase over the past decade in educational resources from Indigenous perspectives. What can we look for when selecting such resources? Which gaps remain, and how do we address them? Launa Payne and Sherrelle Anderson of Rise Up Indigenous Wellness joined us to discuss these questions and offer their insights about learning Indigenous languages, paths to reconciliation, and...

With Parker McMullen Bushman of the National Association of Interpretation and Ecoinclusive How has the field of interpretation changed in recent decades? What opportunities do digital tools open up for interpreters? Where can we look for guidance in telling uncomfortable stories and reconciling with difficult truths? NAI Board President Parker McMullen Bushman covers all of these questions and re...

In our first fireside-chat episode, we hear from multiple voices to unpack different aspects of Truth and Reconciliation. The idea here is to invite curiosity, reflection, and discussion. We’ve heard from many folks over the years that they’d like to learn more but aren’t quite sure where to start. We hope that this episode serves as an invitation to get started, no matter what your starting point...

Ian and Jade are back for this two-part episode! In Part 1, the co-hosts begin to unpack the use of watersheds as an integrating context for learning (AKA, watershed education). In Part 2 starting at the 12:45 mark, we return to an episode of the Talking with Green Teachers podcast from the spring of 2022 wherein Ian and guest David Ramsay discussed these questions:  What is watershed education? W...

What are some common barriers to learning in nature? How can we shift the paradigm whereby learning about nature is prioritized? What are some key lessons we can learn from nature? How does learning for nature also benefit learners? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: the purpose of environmental education and education as a whole transitioning from “sage on the stage” to “guide on...

How does outdoor education differ from outdoor learning? What is the “experiential edge” for both young people and adults? Why does outdoor learning often diminish or stop with older learners? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *embedding outdoor learning into the everyday structures of schools *the distinction between outdoor learning and Land-based learning *unpacking New Brunswi...

How can we support educator manage their own eco-anxiety and that of their students? What is the process of moving from eco-anxiety to eco-action? Why is it so important to acknowledge, name, and sit with the complex emotions associated with environmental concerns? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *the need to focus on solutions and not just stop at problems *age-appropriateness...

What’s the value of learning about soil? How can educators engage their students in soil studies if they lack expertise? Why do so many people feel happier when they get their hands dirty? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *the differences between soil and dirt *using storytelling as a tool to spark curiosity *the remarkable world of microbes in soil *Megan’s recent research into...

What’s the most impactful length for educational programming? How does community collaboration help us manage challenges? Why is intergenerational learning so effective? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *the opportunities brought about by virtual learning *getting back to hands-on, experiential learning with SaskOutdoors *the benefits of active transportation like the Punch Buggy...

What is a ‘nature sommelier’? How are seeing and noticing different? Why is storytelling such a powerful outdoor learning tool? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:  *formative moments in Jacob’s childhood as a “wild child” nature explorer *children’s right to interact with Vitamin N *the importance of regeneration in addition to sustainability *the development of The Big Book of Nat...

How do outdoor learning and various Indigenous teachings overlap? What are some existing inequities in teaching and how can we address them? Why is the land such an effective teacher? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *exploring (and sometimes talking to) plants *how Jenna's teaching experience has informed her admin. work *working with students with diverse abilities *the wonde...

Why teach astronomy? How important is each and every one of us in the universe? Where in popular culture do we see references to space and astronomy? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *Tim's childhood visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida *the (many) differences between astronomy and astrology *the magic of seeing Saturn's rings for the first time *whether or not to fund...

In what ways are the land and water shaped by children's questions? How can educators light a fire of inspiration in their learners? Why do many Indigenous teachings lend themselves so well to inquiry-based learning? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *adopting a framework that challenges people to think without being prescriptive *the flow of knowledge in Anishinaabe learning *N...

What does effective climate change education (CCed) look like? What role does outdoor learning play in it? How has the field changed over the past thirty years? What is the "new kid on the block" in CCed? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *the shift in environmental education from teaching issues to teaching core concepts *how the collective understanding of climate change has e...

What is it like running across Canada in nine months? How can outdoor learning become an inherent part of K–12 education? What roles does digital technology play in outdoor learning? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *insights from Colin's 7600-km run across Canada to promote outdoor learning *how Take Me Outside came to be *when digital technology enhances and hinders learning...

Why do we have to jump through hoops just to take classes outside? What are the systemic barriers to outdoor learning? How can an outdoor "classroom" function as a leveler? These are three of the core questions we discussed with Juliet Robertson of Creative STAR Learning . Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *Juliet's unlikely path to outdoor learning *the sagas behind her two boo...

What would water tell us if it could talk? How can each of us strengthen our relationship with the waterways and water bodies near our homes? Our special guests from Ocean Wise and Water Rangers joined us to discuss these questions and more, as we covered as much territory as Canada has coastline (well, maybe not that much...). Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat:   *need-to-know fac...

Friend of the show Gillian Judson was joined by artist Adelle Caunce for this lively discussion. Adelle's newest creation, the book Playing in the Muck and Other Art Activities, was designed to accompany Gillian's book, A Walking Curriculum . Here's a taste of what we covered in this Earthy Chat:   *appreciating the underappreciated creatures (of the muck, soil, and ocean depths) *experiencing nat...

The new children's book Sila and the Land was co-authoured by Ariana Roundpoint, Shelby Angalik, and Lindsay Dupré — each from a different Indigenous community. Ariana joined Ian and Jade for this Earthy Chat. Here's a preview of what they discussed:   *finding common ground among Indigenous Nations *moving away from a "take-everything" mindset *reconnecting with the land and water *re-learning ho...

The Heart of a River is back in print, and author Eileen Delehanty Pearkes joined Ian and Jade to mark the occasion. Here's a sampling of what they discussed: *being "tapped" to write The Heart of a River and letting the river speak *the complexity of reconciling with a colonial past *finding truth in the land (and water) *encouraging developments for the Columbia River and rivers elsewhere *Eilee...

Do you have to be an artist to make field sketches? Do you have to be a poet to make field notes? How is record-keeping like poetry? In what way does it engage us in creative problem-solving? Ian and Jade discuss these questions, while sharing stories of their own outdoor note-taking experiences, as well as those of their students. Jade also talks about the time David Attenborough was in the next...