California Wilderness: Belonging

Lost Coast, California:

Walking onto the sand, all my possessions in my pack, I am confronted with a beautiful view of endless ocean and a feeling of belonging and excitement for what the wild coast will bring: wisdom in the waves, calmness in a sunset, belonging in solitude. Deeper into the wild I go, reflecting on the past month of desert sands, wildflowers and mountain streams, days spent wandering open spaces and experiencing the wisdom of nature philosophies first hand in untouched nature itself. Joining my tribe for group meals, thoughtful discussions, yoga, singing and endless laughter is among the many joys I experience in a day, knowing that this is where I'm meant to be. Wading in cool waters, reading among wild elk, contemplating the sounds and cycles all around me, those muted by the chaos of the front country. The days have turned to weeks and my sense of wonder and curiosity translates to belonging and gratefulness - to be surrounded by such beautiful people and endless possibilities for learning more about myself  and this giving, wondrous earth than ever before. 

-- Luna (Rachael Merten)

Patagonia: an inside perspective

Kaleb Goff, a participant in the Winter 2014 program Natural History of the Patagonian Cordillera: Argentina and Chile, shares his enthusiasm for nature and experiential learning in this wonderful essay. Why not let nature be YOUR classroom?

In modern Western society, education is dominated by a paradigm that works to be as efficient as possible - imparting knowledge to students through a stream of facts and information. This form of education is particularly extreme at many universities, and millions of students pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for this institutionalized approach to education, aiming to absorb required facts and hopefully apply this information to a set of skills which are determined depending upon an intended career path. Around this dominating and ironic modern educational system lies a plethora of other techniques - from the autodidactical to the heavily institutionalized. Education forms also exist in a wide variety of settings, from the dark and musty concrete lecture hall of 500 students to the vast and windswept Patagonian Steppe. So called “outdoor education” is a broad educational dogma that removes the student from the classroom setting and aims to divert the constant stream of spoon-fed information, ideally creating an educational paradigm that is dynamic and question-driven, promotes the hands-on development of practical skills, and harnesses the evolutionary and evident need for the connection between humans and the more-than-human world. Outdoor education in our modern civilization fundamentally seeks balance - to balance the efficiency of institutionalized education with the advantages of outdoor education is an immense challenge and a worthy pursuit.
 
This course, Sierra Institute Patagonia 2014, is its own unique form of outdoor education, nuanced with its own personal challenges and triumphs. From my perspective, this course focuses particularly on combining the personal and academic aspects of being a student, which is particularly applicable due to the nature of studying natural history - it is truly happening at every moment. Also, this course has a particular focus on teaching students how to learn, which truly means breaking down the habit of instant information and promoting self-driven, question-based learning that each student has a personal relationship with and responsibility towards. The course dives headlong into the challenges of combining an intimate group dynamic with a rigorous academic schedule and the challenges that the natural world can bring to conducting classes.
 

My personal experience in this course has been profound, challenging and wondrous. I began this course with some background knowledge, as a 3rd year Plant Science student. I had completed basic courses and begun some of the more advanced topics in the university setting, as well as personally learning and exploring the skills of a naturalist. Reflecting on it now, I knew very little of what was taught during this course, and the academic content of the course was a perfect extension of my background knowledge. Much of what this course explored academically is not immediately taught in the university, some not taught at all (for example botany is a class generally taken late in college, and there is no class at UCSC I know of that details the entire Kingdom Plantae and its varied and beautiful life cycles). All this said, I learned a tremendous amount academically, and more specifically I learned a tremendous amount about things I love and care about immensely. This experience has been one that will continue to nourish me academically in the future.

I have gained more than ever could be formed into words and paragraphs. I gained a wider view of our home, the Earth. I gained academic knowledge that I will use to look more closely and make tighter connections in my love and exploration of this world. I learned how to travel, live and learn with a group of 10 other people, and how to relate on all of these levels simultaneously. I also gained a more open perspective of myself as an outdoor educator and facilitator, which I hope to explore more deeply in the years to come.

In conclusion - I am overwhelmed by the immensity of this experience. It is one that will continue to nourish me for the rest of my life, in my pursuit of being the deepest lover and student of the Earth that I can possibly be. Moreover, my inspiration to facilitate others in their observation and learning about our home has greatly grown, and I will not cease to share what I have learned on this trip with all I meet. My wholehearted and ardent gratitude for all that has been given to me on this trip. May it continue to shine.

California Wilderness: Growth

On July 1, the Summer California Wilderness group departed on their six-week journey. The group faced many challenges: several students were backpacking for the first time, everyone was just meeting for the first time, and no one knew what to expect!

As one of their assignments, each student has been asked to submit a reflection from the field. Some may write about their engagement with the course material, others may focus on their relationship with nature, their fellow students, or themselves. What better way to start of than with a post that touches on all three?

From Kai Lee Herbertson:

How am I to communicate what the Sierra Institute has done for me? Although I have only completed one leg of our six-week long trip, I already feel such a connection to the subjects we have discussed, my own personal development, and the growing identity of the group as a whole.

Oftentimes while doing the readings, I laugh outright thinking: this is CLASS! The educational component of our experience is an almost bizarre contrast to what is normally viewed as academic. How lucky we are to sit on a stony riverbank with our toes in the water, and read the words of authors who truly speak to us! Many of my classmates are passionate about the subjects we explore, and whether that is environmentalism, social justice, or just plain great writing, it makes for powerful discussion.

Being in the backcountry has been an important part of my life, and retaining a strong connection to the natural world is something that I wish to carry into the next chapter. Sierra Institute allows for a safe place for that development, both physically and emotionally. A powerful positive regard for each individual in the group allows for everyone to satisfy their own personal needs, everything from alone time to think, meditate, and explore, or opportunities to bond as a community. Teamwork is practiced when we make dinners in pairs, group decisions, or fireside music. The safe, non-judgemental space that we hold for each other here is a huge part of what makes the experience so comfortable for so many different kinds of people.

It has been beautiful to watch the tribe develop, even in this short amount of time. I know for a fact that every person has had their boundaries pushed in a healthy, supported way. For some, that has taken the form of the physical act of packing in; for others, it has been learning how to listen to a new friend with an open heart, or having the courage to speak their truth during council or in our day-to-day interactions.

I didn't really know what to expect when I applied for the Sierra Institute, but so far I have certainly gotten a lot out of the experience. I can only imagine what the coming weeks will bring, but I know already that whatever it may be, it will certainly further each of our development--intellectually, personally, and as a thriving community.