Come With Us to a Conference
Soooo Allie and I were invited to a conference facilitated by the Ontario Society for Environmental Education at the Guelph Arboretum on May 3, 2025. Not to be biased, but it was the coolest conference ever – all about getting kids outside and learning in nature! Seriously, if you're into nature education, connecting with children, outdoor resources, or just good vibes in general, this was the place to be. Think less stuffy lectures and more hands-on workshops, networking, and a whole lot of inspiration!
The forecast in the morning of the conference was a sky full of heavy, gray clouds, which cast a gloomy blanket over everything. But as the day went forward, a fortunate shift occurred. The rain held off, and the thick cloud cover transformed into a welcome source of shade. This created a surprisingly pleasant and cool atmosphere, shielding everyone from the harsh sun and making for a comfortable climate for the day's events, which was great for growing some spore-ting connections!
One of my favourite parts was hearing about how important it is to connect with nature and hearing from Jan Sherman, an Indigenous woman with a strong relationship with Mother Earth. She discussed listening to the world before we take resources from it, and truly spoke from the heart. Jan’s talk was not only inspirational, but was a perspective that altered traditional ways of thinking and interacting with nature.
While we were there, we had some incredible conversations with the CAZA representatives - Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Rewilding Education, Cathy’s Composters, and Dogwood Forest, Project Learning Tree Canada. All organizations, like us, have a passion, and see the true and deep need for children to interact with nature and the great outdoors.
At the conference, we sold packs of 10 blank greeting cards, with an image taken by a student at one of our workshops or camps printed in striking, coloured ink. Whichhhh, by the way, can be purchased by clicking here.
This conference was an exceptional experience that left both Allie and myself feeling both educated and deeply inspired (we talked about the conference the entire car ride back!) The insights gained, connections made, and renewed reminder of the importance of nature based education continue to fuel Focus on Nature’s mission. This experience has served as a reminder of the power of community and continuous learning, and we are already looking forward to the next opportunity to engage and grow in such a dynamic environment of fellow nature lovers!
