Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education

Jonny Walker embraces the creativity of writing and poetry retreats outdoors, and helping teachers with outdoor education development, in his organization Otherwise Education. In this episode we talk about the work he's doing, the problems facing traditional educators today, trust and risk aversion when working with children, and the power of the forest when it comes to creativity and imagination. Connect with Jonny and Otherwise Education: https://www.otherwiseeducation.com/ https://www.instagram.com/otherwiseedu/?hl=en Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

This week's Forest Educator Spotlight is all about After School Programs. In this episode, I'm sharing some tips about what you can and can't do in an after-school program, how to build connections with the students, the program model and the business model, and so much more. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

In this episode, I'm joined by Aurélia Cheuvreul-Gaud, TedX Speaker and Author of the 7 Connection Gateways Pedagogy. She's passionate about environmentalism and biodiversity, and strives to connect urban children from standard education systems to the natural world. We talk about the challenges that teachers and children face in standard schools, and why it's important to consider this a long-term approach. Connect with Aurélia: https://www.aureliacg.com/ Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

In this week's Forest Educator Spotlight, I'm talking about the challenges of ethical gathering. Learn how to protect your reputation, build your resource network and community, and honor the environment in today's episode. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

My guest in today’s episode is Erica Hermsen, the director and founder of Everwild Forest School. With a background in conservation and wilderness education, ever since her undergraduate education, Erica knew that she wanted to find a way to capture the magic and massive impact that outdoor programming can have for kids. Once she had her own daughters, she became even more determined to find a way to battle all the challenges facing kids today. Her family moved to Boise and she founded Everwild Forest School… right in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. In this episode, Erica shares her successes, obstacles, and lessons learned in the past 3 years as a forest educator. Connect with Erica & Everwild Forest School: https://everwildforestschool.org/ Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

As forest educators, it's important that we don't just teach skills: but we really teach the skills behind the skills. In today's world of modern conveniences, the average kid is not witnessing how things happen in the world around them, or the skills it takes to make things happen, as they grow up. Forest education doesn't just teach people wilderness and earth skills, but it teaches us how to think and adapt. In this Forest Educator Spotlight episode, I'm talking all about the skills behind the skills and sharing lots of stories about this practice in action. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part episode featuring Erik Rasmussen of Making Tracks Earth Education. We discuss social media, experience in addition to skill-building, and innovative ways to adapt programming to leverage nature as the world's greatest facilitator. Did you miss part 1? Make sure to go back and listen to last week's episode with Erik, too! Connect with Erik and Making Tracks Earth Education: https://www.makingtracks.co/ https://www.instagram.com/ehrasmussen94/ Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

In this week's Forest Educator Spotlight, I'm sharing some of my best tips for staff hiring and training. I hope this helps you keep in mind some different ways to think about how to effectively use your team to achieve your desired program outcomes. There are always things that come up with your staff that are totally unexpected, so hopefully this episode also prepares you for the unknown. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

This episode is Part 1 of a 2-part episode featuring Erik Rasmussen of Making Tracks Earth Education. We discuss AI, recreation education as it compares to survival education, and the importance and disconnection of wilderness skills in today's modern world. Tune in next Thursday for Part 2 of this conversation with Erik. Connect with Erik and Making Tracks Earth Education: https://www.makingtracks.co/ https://www.instagram.com/ehrasmussen94/ Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

In this week's Forest Educator Spotlight, I'm sharing the most key items I carry with me in my pack on forest adventures. You might need to adapt this list to your own preferences and environmental circumstances, but hopefully this list gives you some ideas about some items you might not have thought about before. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

I'm excited to welcome my first guest to the podcast, Forest Educator Jude Vinton who runs Be Free Forest School in the UK. Jude shared her story about how she transitioned into (and out of) traditional teaching before opening her Forest School program, the huge obstacle in this industry when it comes to funding, and the mental and emotional health and well-being crisis facing kids (and adults) today and why forest education is so important. She also shared some of her favorite resources, which I've linked below! Connect with Jude: https://befreeforestschool.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/befreeforestschool https://www.instagram.com/befreeforestschool/ Book Recommendations in this Episode: The Organic Artist for Kids by Nick Neddo - https://amzn.to/3qOzM9D Losing Eden: Our Fundamental Need for the Natural World and Its Ability to Heal Body and Soul by Lucy Jones - https://amzn.to/3qBa7Bi Wild Days: Outdoor Play for Young Adventurers by Richard Irvine - https://amzn.to/3X5Vx11 Activities, Games and Challenges for Learning Outside the Classroom by Tracey Maciver - https://amzn.to/3p3MpgC Activities, Games and Challenges for Learning Outside the Classroom 2 by Tracey Maciver - https://amzn.to/43HHK2Y Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

This episode is all about my story: my first wilderness memories, the childhood stories that inspired my sense of adventure, where my wilderness career began, and how I grew Hawk Circle over the past 35 years. Plus, I'm sharing some insights into The Forest Educator Initiative and why the work we're doing in this community is so important in 2023. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

It seems like the best place to start is to introduce what we mean when we talk about Forest Educators. In the inaugural episode of The Forest Educator Podcast, I explore the different layers and angles involved in forest education and the types of conversations we are going to have on this podcast. If you have suggestions of other types of people (or specific people!) we should be having conversations with on this podcast, make sure to send me a message and let me know. I love to hear from you! Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Introducing The Forest Educator podcast hosted by Ricardo Sierra. Join Ricardo as he engages in enlightening conversations with educators from across the globe who are revolutionizing nature-based education. Drawing on his 35 years of experience in wilderness education, Ricardo shares practical insights, tools, and best practices to inspire and support forest educators worldwide. Tune in twice a week for interviews with passionate educators and skill spotlights that delve into the challenges and triumphs of the field. The Forest Educator Podcast launches on June 15 with three initial episodes, so grab your favorite beverage and get ready to be inspired. Download an episode and join our community of dedicated educators striving to make a difference in the world. Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolverineway/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra