Life on the Bluff

                           Eagle Bluff Naturalists 2010-2011

What have I been up to?

I have spent the last month and a half getting to know my new home, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. Joe Deden is our fearless executive director who is ever a support and motivator. His dream was to bring Germany's model of environmental education here to the US, and as a result we have Eagle Bluff. Joe and his wife, Mary Bell, has been extremely supportive of my goals in the midst of their sustainable home renovation (their walls will have an R-rating of 40...the current standard is about 9!). They happen to live on the edge of our scenic bluff with their dog, Will, and three horses that live down the road. They are very welcoming to all the visitors that cluster to their overlook to admire turkey vultures, red-tailed hawk, and bald eagles. It is a real treat to see such majestic birds from above in their natural environment.

What do we do?

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center was originally funded by a grant to make mushroom production profitable to farmers. EB is now home to 12 naturalists fellows and more than 20 staff that work to create "healthy sustainable communities that value the natural world." ELC's throughout Minnesota teach state-recognized academic classes to students K-12, typically focusing on the middle school level. Classes are three hours in length with a third of class time spent in the classroom introducing and concluding curriculum and the other two-thirds spent outdoors. Full-time Naturalists and Naturalist Fellows (like myself)  teach classes like Fungus Among Us, Insects, Pond Life, and Group Challenges. Eagle Bluff has three ropes courses for team and individual growth, as well as a rock climbing wall, archery range, and river for canoeing. When fellows are not teaching, we work as liaison for whatever school group is on campus. Our role as liaison is to facilitate the groups' extracurricular activities outside of class time.

The folks in the photo above are my co-workers, friends, and family. We live and work together everyday to make Eagle Bluff as awesome as it is. I have already learned so much from everyone's life experiences and our growth as a team. I welcome any questions you have about EB and will continue to provide updates on my own journey.

Goal for next week: first mountain bike race in Wisconsin.

Keep smilin' 

EH

Wish Sticks and Farm Dreams

We put our hopes and dreams into the universe and hope they are well received. As a kid I would blow on dandelion seed heads with all my might hoping that I would get a dog. I would go to church on Sunday thinking that the purpose of communion was to ask God for a dog. I asked my parents too, but I figured I would have better luck with the greater powers of dandelion seeds and the big guy. I've grown since then. I've grown taller and wiser, but I still like to throw my dreams into the universe to ensure safe arrival. Today I begin by putting my dream out to you. This blog is one of the seeds I am blowing into the air with all my might. If I keep blowing I know one will take root and grow strong.

My dream is to connect people through a farm, creating sustainable communities that will inspire others to do the same. Sustainable communities are built on healthy soils, lifestyles, and relationships. My farm dream will teach courses on communication, teamwork, consumption, farming, and more. I seek to utilize teaching forms I have learned at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the Rochester Institute of Technology and its Interactive Adventures, and Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center (my current home), while expanding upon my experiences with higher education.

Running Trail at Eagle Bluff

I have yet to buy or acquire land, but once found I see a large common hall used for classes, concerts, dining, and receptions; a working small-scale farm; a farm store selling produce and locally made goods; a ropes course; a common residence for workers and visitors; cross-country skiing and hiking trails; and a mountain biking balance course.

The farm will be provide a home for ideas to grow and dreams to spread. I will consistently update this page with my experiences and dreams and I encourage you to do the same.