Seraph White brings nearly two decades of non-profit experience to the role of Interim Executive Director for Outdoors Empowered Network, and has expertise in fundraising, marketing, and operations. She is passionate about increasing access to nature and the outdoors and is looking forward to finding creative, systemic, and strategic ways to fulfill OEN’s mission. Seraph has an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University and a BA in Environmental Studies from UCSC. Seraph grew up camping and is passionate about access to the outdoors. She regularly packs her family into a hybrid Toyota Prius C to travel the American West, including over thirty National Parks. She is an alumnae of NOLS semester in Alaska and a long-time student of nature connection and deep ecology. When not camping, Seraph lives in her hometown of San Francisco. -- Seraph White Interim Executive Director Outdoors Empowered Network Website: www.outdoorsempowered.org As always, the purpose of the interviews is to highlight the great work of the individuals who are making a huge impact in the world of early childhood environmental education. Diona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Seraph White Facebook Page: @dionareesewilliams Instagram DRW Personal Brand: @drw_dionareesewilliams Instagram Out Back Learning LLC: @outbacklearning2019 Facebook Page: @outbacklearning2019 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/diona-williams --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

Seraph White brings nearly two decades of non-profit experience to the role of Interim Executive Director for Outdoors Empowered Network, and has expertise in fundraising, marketing, and operations. She is passionate about increasing access to nature and the outdoors and is looking forward to finding creative, systemic, and strategic ways to fulfill OEN’s mission. Seraph has an MA in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University and a BA in Environmental Studies from UCSC. Seraph grew up camping and is passionate about access to the outdoors. She regularly packs her family into a hybrid Toyota Prius C to travel the American West, including over thirty National Parks. She is an alumnae of NOLS semester in Alaska and a long-time student of nature connection and deep ecology. When not camping, Seraph lives in her hometown of San Francisco. -- Seraph White Interim Executive Director Outdoors Empowered Network Website: www.outdoorsempowered.org As always, the purpose of the interviews is to highlight the great work of the individuals who are making a huge impact in the world of early childhood environmental education. Diona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Seraph White Facebook Page: @dionareesewilliams Instagram DRW Personal Brand: @drw_dionareesewilliams Instagram Out Back Learning LLC: @outbacklearning2019 Facebook Page: @outbacklearning2019 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/diona-williams --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

Megan is the Early Childhood Program Coordinator for The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois where she leads their nature-based early childhood program within 1700 acres of diverse habitat including forests, prairie, creeks, oak savannas, and lakes.  She has nine years of experience managing and teaching at nature-based preschools.  Megan is also the founder of Northern Illinois Nature Preschool Association (NINPA), the first association for nature-preschools in America, as well as a part of the Leadership Team with the Natural Start Alliance, part of NAAEE. She holds a Masters Degree in Education along with a Certificate in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education from Antioch University New England and she is a featured contributor in David Sobel's recent book: The Sky Above and the Mud Below: Lessons from Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens.   Little Trees Early Learning Program website: https://www.mortonarb.org/learn-experience/youth-and-family-programs/little-trees NINPA website: https://ninpa.org/ Contributing Author: https://www.redleafpress.org/Sky-Above-and-the-Mud-Below-Lessons-from-Nature-Preschools-and-Forest-Kindergartens-P2424.aspx Resources: Storypark website:   https://www.storypark.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's interview I had the pleasure to talk with Cassandra Ellis, founding director of The Kinship School, which offers educational coaching, consulting and direct service with young children and families in nature. The way she works is inspired by E.O. Wilson’s words: “We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.” Cassandra synthesizes somatic practice, place- and nature-based learning, radical self-inquiry, collective care and intergenerational learning to build bonds that strengthen the individual, family, collective and the web of life. She is a Washington State approved early childhood education STARS Trainer, Child Development Associate (CDA) Professional Development (PD) Specialist, certified holistic movement teacher, certified children’s yoga teacher, and certifiably hilarious first-time dog mama. Cassandra plays, works and lives in the lush Pacific Northwest. She gives gratitude to the Snohomish Tribe and the extensive web of Coast Salish tribes that have tended to the lands long before she planted her own feet there. Social Media: www.thekinshipschool.com @thekinshipschool (Instagram) Resources: Heather Kindem's website, designer of The Happenings Mat: thehappeningsmat.org/ This is the Nonviolent Communication (known as NVC and also known as Compassionate Communication) needs inventory I mentioned: cnvc.org/training/resource/needs-inventory And the feelings inventory: cnvc.org/training/resource/feelings-inventory Also since I mentioned her, Claire Warden: claire-warden.com/ And Chicago Botanic Garden's nature preschool: chicagobotanic.org/preschool Stepping Stones Nursery School in Chicago: steppingstonesnurseryschool.net As always, the purpose of the interviews is to highlight the great work of the individuals who are making a huge impact in the world of early childhood environmental education. Diona Reese Williams Edited Production: Angel Productions DRW Guest: Cassandra Ellis Facebook Page: @dionareesewilliams Instagram DRW Personal Brand: @drw_dionareesewilliams Instagram Out Back Learning LLC: @outbacklearning2019 Facebook Page: @outbacklearning2019 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/diona-williams --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's interview, I had the pleasure of meeting with Nikki Julien from the Arizona Wildlife Federation. She took a moment to share how she entered Environmental Education and discussed her work with the Arizona Wildlife Federation. If you want to learn more about AWF and the field of Environmental Education, this is the interview to watch. Thank you, Nikki, for taking the time to stop by the DRW "show." If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out my latest product called the Goal Development Plan. You can find this plan on my website  http://www.dionareesewilliams.com Thank you all for your support, and remember to continue to be blessed in nature. Nikki Julien Information: Facebook: Nikki Julien Instagram:  nikki.julien Twitter:  AZWildlifeFed Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Nikki.Julien --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's interview, I had the pleasure of meeting with Nikki Julien from the Arizona Wildlife Federation. She took a moment to share how she entered Environmental Education and discussed her work with the Arizona Wildlife Federation. If you want to learn more about AWF and the field of Environmental Education, this is the interview to watch. Thank you, Nikki, for taking the time to stop by the DRW "show." If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out my latest product called the Goal Development Plan.  You can find this plan on my website  http://www.dionareesewilliams.com Thank you all for your support, and remember to continue to be blessed in nature.  Nikki Julien Information:   Facebook: Nikki Julien  Instagram:  nikki.julien   Twitter:  AZWildlifeFed  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Nikki.Julien --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Jessica Paul from Tucson Community Gardens. During this episode discusses what a Master Naturalist, citizen science and inaturalist. Jessica later describes her role at the Tucson Community Gardens as the Educator. Take a moment to listen and learn how your child can learn about gardening with Jessica. Diona Reese Williams (Goal Development Plan) http://www.dionareesewilliams.com Community Gardens of Tucson https://www.communitygardensoftucson.org/ https://www.facebook.com/communitygardensoftucson https://www.instagram.com/communitygardenstucson/ Az Master Naturalists (applications are still open for the next cohort) https://azmasternaturalist.org/ Nature's Notebook https://www.usanpn.org/natures_notebook inaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's DRW podcast episode, I had the pleasure to connect with Rachel Miller, who is based out of Melbourne, Florida. She has recently embarked on a new journey, which you all will get to hear about in her episodes.  As always, the purpose of these interviews is to highlight the great work of the individuals who are making  huge impact in the world of early childhood environmental education.   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's episode, I had the opportunity to chat with Ellen Bashor from Prescott College and Board of Directors of Arizona Association of Environmental Education (AAEE). She is sharing her experience as an educator navigating through COVID-19 and how the community came together to provide a safe and inclusive outdoor classroom for students to return back to school.  If you are interested in finding out additional information you can find Ellen Bashor through Prescott College or AAEE.  This episode was previously recorded, if you would like the visual of this episode please click the link below: https://youtu.be/fQVT5vG1rlk  Resources:  https://naaee.org/  https://www.arizonaee.org/ https://www.greenschoolyards.org/  https://www.5ensesmag.com/post/prescott-s-community-nature-center-comes-full-circle --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support

In today's episode, the author of this story, Le'Aszia, takes a moment to continue to introduce the chickens, also known as "The City Chicks." You will have an opportunity to learn about the personalities of Sally, Kimberly, and Ellen, but from the author's perspective. In this episode, Le'Aszia goes on to discuss the City Chicks' recent unwillingness to go into the coop. The author goes on to expand the storyline perspective of Trina and Bree (family dogs). Please note the content of this episode is not intended to offend, but simply to give the perspective of two dogs and how they view the owners. This episode was written and recorded by Le'Aszia Davis Williams and produced by Diona Reese Williams. This City Chicks podcast series is a mother/daughter collaboration. As a parent, I am very proud of her artistry and written creativity, but I feel blessed that she was willing to share her gifts with you all as listeners. Enjoy and continue to Be Blessed in Nature. -Diona Reese Williams --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diona-williams/support