CONNECTED NATURE PROGRAM

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

Connected Nature Program

Connected Nature is a year-long naturalist program designed not only to further your knowledge of local flora, fauna, and ecosystem processes, but to deepen your connection to your local area. You will learn to slow down and improve your awareness of nature by practicing core awareness practices, and will get to know 60 different species of plants and animals that live in your area. You’ll also learn about ecology, natural and cultural history, land stewardship, geology, weather, astronomy and more through self-paced lecture recordings by subject matter experts and monthly cohort field trips. Throughout the year, you’ll be provided opportunities to connect with fellow Connected Nature participants, both in-person and virtually, to share gratitude and stories.

We believe that offering the course as self-paced best allows for different schedules and different learning styles. However, there’s still ample opportunity for in-person connection and community building. In fact, it’s encouraged! Each month, we offer a virtual session to deepen your understanding of the core awareness practices and share gratitude and stories with fellow Connected Nature cohort members and leaders. Field trips, guided hikes, site visits and cohort meet-ups will also be offered throughout the year. All are optional but designed to support your learning and nature connection. You can expect to spend 6-8 hours/month on this program.

What’s Included?

All Connected Nature program participants have access to a password-protected page on DLC’s website that serves as your home base for the year. This is where the schedule of virtual meetings and in-person gatherings, recorded self-paced learning modules, recommended homework for each month, and additional resources will be hosted.

Self-Paced Learning:

Pre-recorded learning modules with presentations by local subject matter experts on 12 topics that follow the natural flow of the year. Take these at your own pace, though we recommend following the order as each builds off the previous topic.
Homework assignments and exercises suggested for each month and topic.
In-depth resource guide for optional additional learning and exploration.

Community and Connection:

Field trips and cohort meet-ups throughout the program designed around one of the 12 topics, or simply to build community. Even if you haven’t reached that topic just yet, it’s a great way to get introduced to it and build connection with the rest of the Connected Nature cohort.
Monthly live virtual session to deepen your understanding of awareness practices, and to share gratitude, stories, and lessons learned with fellow cohort members.
1:1 mentorship from a Connected Nature program alum, available for additional fee. Helpful for anything from an accountability buddy if you want to stay consistent with homework, or to facilitate your journey of deepening your connection to the environment around you.

Commitment

We want to make this program accessible to anyone who is interested in participating. Therefore, we’ve suggested a tiered donation system intended to meet you where you’re at, while covering the significant amount of staff and volunteer time that goes into making this experience exceptional. These are tax-deductible donations to DLC that directly support this program and other organizational outreach and environmental education programs.

Pay Cost:

The cost we’ve calculated to cover program materials and time is $500 per person.

Pay it Forward:

If you have the financial resources to support others’ learning, please consider donating above $500.

Pay What You Can:

If cost is prohibitive to you participating in this program, please reach out- there may be assistance available. We can also set up a monthly online recurring donation, take checks or cash, or you could even make the donation from your annual retirement distribution. Please notify us of any accommodations that we can make to ensure that this class is fiscally accessible for you.

Ready to get involved?

Attend an info session:

Wednesday, February 11, 6:00-7:30pm at the DLC office

Tuesday, February 17, 4:00-5:30pm via Microsoft Teams

Registration for the program opens 2/18 for current DLC volunteers and 2/19 for the general public. Please note in your registration form how you plan to donate.

Acknowledgements

This program is based on the methodologies developed by Jon Young and a lineage of teachers that includes Tom Brown Jr. It was developed by Sharon Sjostrom, trained through the Kamana Naturalist Program and Douglas County Naturalist Training, and additionally certified in Holistic Tracking, Native Plant Master training, and in Jon Young’s 8 Shields Principles.