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 the power of shared laughter. Guests: From the Rise Up Indigenous Wellness website Launa Payne is a...
Jul 24, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 30
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 interpreters can have such a major influence on individuals and the...
Apr 11, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 29
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 Learning: 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning (virtual course) Indigenous...
Feb 11, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 28
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 place-based learning? How can we engage students of all ages in lear...
Dec 13, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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 mediocrity getting beyond the “I-don’t-know-enough-about-nature-to-t...
Feb 16, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 26
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 how outdoor learning helps students achieve them *supporting studen...
Dec 22, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 25
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 Rangers’ Eco-Anxiety Index *children’s influence on parents regarding e...
Sep 06, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 24
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 necessity of giving learning experiences time to breathe *enhancin...
Dec 05, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 others through public programming *outdoor learning in built environm...
Aug 29, 2022•56 min•Ep. 22
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 wonder…” and “it reminds me of…” inquiries *learning outdoors using a...
Jul 27, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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" *inside the Every Child Matters Year-long Learning Challenge *becomi...
Jun 25, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 20
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 knowing more about space *why everyone should just look up and ponder ...
May 31, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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 framework and the accompanying Indigenous lens *how children can ask qu...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 18
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 *developmentally appropriate education *teaching about the economic oppor...
Apr 17, 2022•51 min•Ep. 17
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 spent outside *looking at use of tech in school with a critical lens ...
Mar 28, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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 *supply teaching adventures (and misadventures) *cross-curricular l...
Feb 18, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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 *the disconnection many people have with water and how this can be ...
Jan 10, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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-assessing what we mean by "value" *using imaginative and ecological ...
Nov 29, 2021•45 min•Ep. 13
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 in a noisy world that's always "on" *distilling big ideas into a coh...
Nov 16, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 of the Sinixt community *finding common ground between two seemi...
Sep 26, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 room during a field trip... seriously.
Sep 07, 2021•26 min•Ep. 10
Grab a dip net and go! You might soon find yourself inadvertently getting a fish massage. Maybe you'll give rockpooling a go. If you're not sure what rockpooling is, you'll find out after hearing a story of crustacean drama in a shrinking tidal pool on Vancouver Island. Ian and Jade also share their tips for expanding your pond/stream study toolkit, using dichotomous keys to identify macroinvertebrates, and appreciating the beauty of swimming leeches.
Sep 01, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
How can something as simple and inexpensive as a magnifying glass be such a powerful outdoor learning tool? In what ways can we use magnifiers to engage some students with diverse learning needs? Is getting an up-close-and-personal look at "bugs" a means of helping students overcome their fear of "creepy crawlies"? Ian and Jade covered all of this, while also recounting a story of getting maybe a little too up close and personal with an insect after a rainforest adventure abroad.
Aug 25, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
What's "bad weather"? For that matter, what's "good weather"? What learning opportunities open up when the clouds burst? How can we optimize watershed-based education? Jade and Ian unpacked these questions, while sharing stories of flooded jungles (on two different continents) and capping off rainy field work with a visit to a cozy Scottish pub. They also touched on "Beaver Fever," Giant Squid, monsoons, mammal tracking, and "indoor rain."
Aug 20, 2021•34 min•Ep. 7
Our Fables from the Field summer sub-series continues with Ian and Jade discussing times when binoculars factored prominently in outdoor experiences, from observing a perched Bald Eagle with 12 remarkably patient children to receiving the stink eye from a group of birders (or is it "birdwatchers"?). They also dig into the differences between "twitchers" (AKA "listers") and people who simply enjoy birds.
Jul 30, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this first episode of our Fables from the Field summer sub-series, Ian and Jade discuss the value of sit spots, slowing down while out in nature, and the usefulness of sit pads. They also share stories from past adventures in Iceland (when a sit pad would have come in quite handy). Also, do you remember how to pronounce the name of the volcano that erupted in southern Iceland in 2010? Jade does. Ian — not so much...
Jul 27, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Ft. outdoor and garden educator Kaci Rae Christopher In the fourth episode of Earthy Chats , co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with outdoor and garden educator Kaci Rae Christopher, author of The School Garden Curriculum ! Here's a sneak-peek at what was discussed: *growing a science mindset through gardening *finding connections to systems thinking *how storytelling fits into "garden culture" *stories of student growth *dreaming big and starting small (with just a bucket of ...
Jun 08, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Ft. Aboriginal Education Coordinator Faye O'Neil In the third episode of Earthy Chats , co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with educator Faye O'Neil of the ?aqam Community in the Ktunaxa Nation! Here's a sneak-peek at what was discussed: *a childhood in nature *gaining knowledge from the land *gaps in the education system and how to fill them *making partnerships and maintaining open dialogue *how animals and plants are described in the Ktunaxa language *ways to achieve ground...
May 10, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Ft. Envirosongsters Peter Lenton (aka Peter Puffin) and Remy Rodden In the second episode of Earthy Chats , co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with the Envirosongsters , Peter Lenton (aka Peter Puffin) and Remy Rodden! Here's a sneak-peek at what was discussed: *the birth of the Envirosongsters collaboration *Peter and Remy's process for creating EE songs for kids *the role of storytelling in crafting a live concert *the cross-curricular benefits of using song and theatre in e...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Ft. Dr. Gillian Judson of imaginED and the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University The premier episode of Earthy Chats has arrived! Co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with Dr. Gillian Judson of imaginED and the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University . Here's a sneak-peek at what we discussed: *the role of imagination in meaningful learning for learners of all ages (adults, too!) *how story form engages emotions and enhances memory consolidation *Gillian's new ...
Jan 31, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 1
