Nature Learning Community
is 10 Years Old!
One day, back in the fall of 2011, we toted our gear out into the woods, and prepared to welcome our first ever nature class, the Fuzzy Caterpillars. We had two enthusiastic nature lovers, a friendly 10-acre patch of woods, and a low, domed shelter covered in bark, cattails and mud that could only be entered by crawling. Thank goodness for that shelter – because it was pouring rain!
Nowadays, we analyze weather forecasts like pros. When it says it will be raining during class, we know it probably won’t be raining every minute of the whole class. But on this day, it was pouring rain every minute of the whole class! We thought of it as a message from nature to us:
“Do you really mean it?
Are you really going to start a nature connection program? Because if this is too hard, you could just go home now.”
Are you really going to start a nature connection program? Because if this is too hard, you could just go home now.”
We didn’t know how we’d get through that class. It’s tricky to plan for weather like that! But we lit a fire inside our shelter, told some stories, cracked some acorns together, and had a great time.
Yes! We really meant it! And we’re still here today.
Over the last 10 years, we’ve provided nature connected community to hundreds of people of all ages. We’ve taught all kinds of skills, from shelter building and campfire cooking to woodcarving, tracking, community building and more. We’ve worked to raise our own awareness of social issues, including racism, and worked to create space where everyone feels welcome and everyone feels at home.
Now we’re gazing out across the next 10 years and beyond and considering our impact on the world. Nature needs us!
We’re a slow-rolling wave of activism.
Children who’ve grown up in our programs are becoming young adults, and they care deeply about the natural world. Their sense of belonging in nature strengthens their ability to advocate for healthy forests, streams and meadows wherever they go. Because they know how to take care of themselves outdoors (while also caring for plants, birds, and animals) they’ll always be capable protectors of our many wild neighbors.
On that first, rainy day, we cozied up to the campfire, and envisioned a steadily growing ball of light – our nature connected community. The glow is stronger now, and still expanding. We hope you’ll help us to keep on shining!
Nature Learning Community is recognized as a Federal Tax Exempt Organization under IRS code section 501(c)3. Tax ID # 46-3492516. We'll gladly provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.