Nature-based Learning Symposium 2024
About The Symposium
This one-day symposium on August 20th brings educators and their partners together to experience and learn about nature-based learning through engagement with the environment, relationship-building, discussion, and workshops. Participants will leave with a better understanding of nature-based learning benefits and practices along with resources and relationships that promote this philosophy.
This Year’s Theme: The Right to Nature
Nature is an essential part of our lives – that’s why it’s essential that all people have equitable access to our beautiful green spaces and outdoor activities.
Cities around the country (including ours!) have adopted a Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBOR), which illustrates equitable access to nature and guides children and adults to develop healthy, active lifestyles. Topics at this year’s symposium will be related to the rights within the COBOR.
Participants Will
- Learn about nature based education as a way to improve individual and community wellness.
- Build an understanding around how nature based learning can be used to meet content and character goals
- Develop a framework for incorporating nature-based learning into their work
- Create an action plan for implementing nature based learning
Register Today for the Symposium or our Pre-symposium Field Trip
Symposium Schedule
August 20th 9am-4pm: Learn
The first day of the symposium includes nature immersion, a panel discussion, workshops, “un-conferencing” time, and opportunities to connect with participants.
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Light breakfast and registration |
| 9:00 – 9:20 | Welcome and setting the stage |
| 9:20 – 10:30 | Nature immersion experience |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 – 11:25 | Panel discussion: The Right to Nature |
| 11:25 – 12:00 | Breakout discussion |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch break (bring your own) |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Workshop sessions #1 |
| 2:00 – 2:15 | Break |
| 2:15 – 3:15 | Workshop sessions #2 |
| 3:15 – 4:00 | “Un-conferencing” – Participant driven conversations |
August 20th 4pm-5pm: Networking Hour
Join Fellow Nature-based Learning Enthusiasts for a Chocolate and Cheese Tasting
At the end of the day we will give participants the opportunity to connect with organizations that engage in and support nature based learning. If you would like to register for the networking hour or represent a group that would like to share what you do with our nature based learning educator community you can register for a networking hour ticket using the link below.
Register
We are looking forward to seeing you on August 20th.
Tickets for the symposium and networking hour are on our event page.
Nature Immersion Choices
- Nature Journaling with Angela Cannon-Crothers, Cumming Nature Center Forest Schools & Field Studies Program Coordinator
- Mindful Meander with Kyra Stephenson, NBL Coach, RSCD, School #12
- Meditation & Breathwork with Shanna, Kundalini Practitioner
Workshop Details
August 20 – Session 1 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Phenology: The Past, Present, and Future, Lara Hargrave (she, her)
- Growing Food From Seed to Harvest in Rochester, Steph Rawleigh (they, she)
- Meet our Mammals, Finn Henderson (he, him)
- Microplastics and You: Our Health and Plastic Pollution, Becca Lauzon (she, her) and Kaeti Stoss (she, her)
- Nature Everywhere and The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, Amanda Little (she, her) and Kyra Stephenson (she, her)
August 20 – Session 2 from 2:15 – 3:15 pm
- Wild Plant Foraging for Youth, Melissa Spoon (she, her)
- Community Action for Stormwater Clean-up And Debris Elimination Activities and Research, Kaeti Stoss (she, her) and Autumn Potts (she, her)
- Biodiversity Quadrats, Shelley Walker (she, her)
- Acorns to Academics, Karen Morales (she, her) and Kyra Stephenson (she, her)
- Nature and Me: Cultivating Personal Wellness Through Nature, Carter Remy (he, him)
- Playing with Sticks: Getting Hands on with Nature-Based Learning, Loretta Haulslauer (she, her) and Lindsay Clark (she, her)
Symposium Details
Guiding Questions
- What is nature based learning and what are the benefits?
- How does nature based learning happen?
- What practices lead to the ability to observe deeply and cultivate inquiry?
- How do we use nature to enhance teaching within our existing educational goals?
- How do we ensure nature based learning is equitable and culturally responsive?
For Educators (broadly defined)
This event is designed for educators of every kind who want to integrate nature based experiences and environments into their well being and/or teaching practices. We invite anyone who is interested to attend.
We Welcome All
We, the planning team firmly believe that the active inclusion of people from varying identities, backgrounds, and perspectives is essential to creating equitable access to holistic and affirming nature based learning experiences. Reach out to let us know how we can accomodate your needs.
585-563-9604
COVID-19 Safety
This event will be outdoors and the risk of COVID-19 transmission is relatively low. Masks are optional and we expect anyone who has tested positive or has come in contact with anyone who has to stay home. We will offer a refund to anyone who needs to cancel due to COVID exposure.
Presented by Rochester Ecology Partners
Rochester Ecology Partners helps all people in the Rochester Region find nature where they live work and play. We do this through nature based learning and community building, particularly with young people.
About the Venue
Durand Eastman Park is one of Rochester’s magnificent parks and a perfect place to engage in activities that build a deeper connection with nature and each other.
The symposium will be held in and around the Magnolia shelter. To get there turn onto log cabin road from Lakeshore Boulevard and keep driving until you get to to the top of the hill.
We encourage car pooling. When you register you can select whether you would like or are offering a ride.
Event Sustainability
Creating an event with a limited environmental impact and a positive impact on the community and economy are important to us.
- Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, coffee mugs, and utensils. Stations for refill will be available.
Presenting Individuals
We greatly appreciate our presenters for sharing their expertise and time with
everyone.
- Lara Hargrave (she/her), Environmental Educator, NYS Parks
- Steph Rawleigh (they, she), Garden Support Coordinator, Taproot Collective
- Finn Henderson (he/him), Environmental Educator, NYS Parks
- Becca Lauzon (she, her), Program Manager, University of Rochester
- Kaeti Stoss (she, her), Environmental Education Specialist, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Amanda Little (she/her), Environmental Education Specialist, City of Rochester Department of Recreation and Human Services
- Melissa Spoon (she/her), 4-H Team Leader, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County
- Autumn Potts (she/her), Student Researcher Environmental Science BS/MS, RIT
- Shelley Walker, Environmental Botany, Chemistry, and Food Science Teacher, Geneva
- Loretta Haulslauer (she/her), Nature-based Learning Educator, Rochester Ecology Partners
- Lindsay Clark (she/her), Program Development Manager, Rochester Ecology Partners
- Karen Morales (she/her), Ret. Teacher, Rochester City School District, School #12
- Kyra Stephenson (she/her), Nature Based Learning Coach, Rochester City School District, School #12
- Carter Remy (he/him), Founder, The Next Generation and You
- Panelists: Wesley Bruce, Natasha Besch-Turner, Karen Morales, and Elijah Kruger
Participant Folder
Please add resources that you would like to share before the conference begins.
Follow us on social media for updates.
Join Our Mailing List for Updates
Symposium Sponsors and Supporters
This event is made possible thanks to the generous contributions of our community members.
Please reach out to E Turpin if you would like to support the success of the symposium in any way. eturpin@rocecology.org
Ugly Duck Coffee
AES Energy
Greater Rochester Afterschool and Summer Alliance
Laughing Gull Chocolates
New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Donuts Delite
Headwater Food Hub
New York State Outdoor Educators Association
Exploration Charter School
Monroe County Parks
M&T Bank
Project Origin
The first nature based learning symposium was held on Septemeber 1, 2021. After a long and weary winter Kyra Stephenson and Chris Widmaier sat down under the trees of Durand Eastman park to imagine how more teachers might be exposed, and in turn expose their students to the power of nature based learning. Throughout the spring and summer of 2021, a working group of dedicated volunteers planned and put on a nature-based learning symposium for 50 educators. In 2022 the effort grew to include 100+ educators as we tried to answer, “What is the opposite of Zoom?”. The success of these two events lead organizers to commit to making it an annual event. This year is our fourth Nature-based Learning Symposium and we are grateful for all that have joined us in growing the nature-based learning movement.
