​

​

NATURE CONNECTION PROGRAMMING

​

We work with schools, communities and businesses to create custom-made nature connection programming, utilizing the 8Shields Model of questioning and exploring. Based on the patterns and cycles found in nature, such as the seasons, elements and the four cardinal directions. Each program follows the below outline:

​

East - Inspire: Watching the sunrise can energize us and fill us with inspiration, and we start our programs with the same contagious excitement.

 

Southeast - Activate: As the sun warms up and kicks life into gear, the natural progression is taking action to bridge inspiration into focused learning. Connecting to nature through touch: gathering and eating edible plants and tending their creations and imagination.

South - Focus: The South represents the full swing of the day, with everyone working hard and staying busy. We look to draw out increased awareness and attention to detail to solve mysteries, practice the art of tracking, push our identification and reasoning skills to a heightened state, and notice patterns to help our learning deepen and widen.

​

Southwest - Take a Break: The South-west, represented by late Summer and the sun beginning to set, is a natural time to take care of the physical need for rest and to internalize the learnings that our hard work created. The curriculum at this time is based on slowing down, letting touch and intuition guide the way,

and taking time to appreciate our surroundings.

​

West - Gather and Share: Like a thanksgiving celebration in Fall, or coming together for a meal when the sun has set, the West energy is for gathering and sharing. From a curriculum standpoint, it
is time to remove the focused lens and see the greater picture. We spend this time using our awareness to understand ecological principles, connect the dots of how things work together, and under-
stand that we can create positive change.

Northwest - Reflect: The Northwest is the true transition to night-time as darkness generates reflection and release. This is the time to reflect on lessons nature teaches us and lessons from our history and ancestry, as they are a testament to our connection with nature. It’s also a time to connect to heritage spe-
cies that may go back further than our ancestry can be traced.

North - Integrate: During the time of deepest darkness, the energetic quality is of dormancy and culminating wisdom through integration, allowing us to utilize our surroundings in ways that keep us alive.

​

Northeast - Close: With the sun moving towards the East, light is slowly entering the world again, creating a transition period from one cycle to the next, setting the tone for new inspiration and a ceremonial (and celebratory) closing of the cycle.

 

If you would like to book a consultation to discuss a nature connection program design specifically for your own group please contact us at plantwisdomgardens@gmail.com