Earthy Chats Podcast

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 reminds us why nature and heritage in...

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 is. 

Resources for Indigenous Lear...

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? Why is it a critical component of pl...

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 the side”
• escaping the cycle of...

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 Brunswick’s six global competencies and ho...

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 of climate change ed.

*Earth Ranger...

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 barriers to outdoor learning

*the n...

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 Express

*indirectly educating othe...

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 Nature Activities

*the magic of “I won...

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 wonder of soil and the "wood-wide web"

*...

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 space exploration

*the value of kno...

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

*Natural Curiosity's four-branch fram...

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 evolved since the early 1990s

*devel...

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

*developing resiliency from time sp...

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 books, Messy Maths and Dirty Teaching

*...

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 facts about salt water and freshwater

...

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 nature through an artist's eyes

*re-ass...

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 how to listen to the land and water i...

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

*Eileen's many relationships with members...