Outdoor Education Commons^™

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education, including:

American Therapeutic Recreation Conference

National Association for Interpretation Conference

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

There was a time not long ago when children living in rural areas of the Northeast or upper Midwest could roam freely and not be concerned with bodily harm. Stay-at-home moms chased children outdoors telling them to “go play,” and choices were often left to the imagination of the child. Knowing to avoid poison ivy or oak, children could pick a spot most anywhere to lie in the grass or forest floor. Wading or swimming in the nearest creek or pond with buddies was pursued without second thought. Those days appear to be gone.

What Every Primary Care Clinician Should Know About The Diagnosis Of Lyme Disease, Elizabeth Maloney

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A great deal of misunderstanding, even in the medical profession, exists concerning Lyme disease. Dr. Maloney’s article provides an in-depth discussion of the illness. It was written with physicians in mind but is not so heavily laden with medical terminology that the layperson will fail to understand its contents.

Lyme Testimonials, Taproot Editors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Most people (estimates suggest about 80%) who become infected with Lyme disease recover after a month or two of antibiotic treatment. However, there are many individuals who suffer long bouts of chronic Lyme disease. One only has to google “Lyme testimonials”…to find hundreds of stories, written and video format, regarding the devastating effects of Lyme disease. Some share how victims continue to suffer and others describe how certain treatments either improved or restored their health. It is important to note that a person is never totally cured, as victims of Lyme disease are always subject to relapse.

A Conversation With Christy Merrick, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A Taproot: Journal of Outdoor Education interview with Christy Merrick, Director of the Natural Start Alliance that explores the mission of the Alliance and the North American Association’s special programs designed to connect young children to nature. Discusses role of parents, preschools, nature centers, zoos, and other community organizations.

Understanding Commonalities, Albert Schweitzer, And Aldo Leopold, Minnie Lauzon

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act has fostered nostalgia and reflection among environmentalists. Signed into legislation by Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964, the Wilderness Act presented a duality of purpose—to maintain a level of defense to 9 million acres of wild land while also creating an “enduring resource of wilderness.” This 50th anniversary necessitates another observance—the presentation of Albert Schweitzer’s Reverence for Life philosophy in his 1923 book titled The Philosophy of Civilization. Even a brief reading of Schweitzer’s seminal works will prove to be reminiscent of Aldo Leopold, who is often seen as the godfather of …

False Idyll, J.B. Mackinnon

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A provocative essay awaits those who peruse prize-winning author J.B. MacKinnon's article, False Idyll. MacKinnon posits that many of us romanticize nature as a sacred place ( one of succor and comfort) overlooking that most places visited have been tamed by humans. The absence of real wildness (predators that can kill us) creates an "imaginary connection with nature" instead of a tangible one. We settle for occasional visits to such sanctuaries and "see little purpose in returning to a deeper and more risky engagement:' Thus "seeing only nurture in nature" reinforces the concept that we are apart and above it.

Research Updates: A Conversation With Alan E. Watson, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A February 2015 conversation between Wilderness Institute Research Social Scientist Alan Watson and Taproot editor Charles Yaple reveals the evolution of wilderness social science research, current issues, and trends in the wilderness preservation movement.

Review Of Wilderness And The American Mind, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section reviewed the book "Wilderness and the American Mind, Fifth Edition", written by Roderick Nash and reviewed by Kendra Liddicoat.

Taproot In & Outside The Classroom, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The following Wilderness History lesson has been adapted from Wilderness.net a public wilderness information website formed in 1996 through a collaborative partnership between the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute – the federal government’s wilderness training and research arms, respectively – and the College of Forestry and Conservation’s Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana. Additional and extensive wilderness education lessons can be obtained by visiting their websites.

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share the mission to support and further outdoor education and its goals.

Tracing Connections Between The Development Of Wilderness And Outdoor Education In The U.S., Jeff Rose And Dan Dustin

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

After a brief background on the purpose and formulation of both wilderness and the Wilderness Act of 1964 changing cultural, physical, and recreational demand; on wilderness lands are projected into the forthcoming decades. As the Wilderness Act passes its 50th anniversary, we place particular value on the ways in which wilderness, as both a place and a concept, support and enable many of the same values that are found in outdoor education. Tracing the history of wilderness aligns with many of the same histories of outdoor education, and we speculate that the future trajectories of these two institutions will likely …

The Role Of Wilderness Protection, Alan E. Watson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

For example, an analysis of results of visitor studies at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in 1969, 1991 and 2007 reveal some big differences in who is out there today, most notably the presence of a much older, more experienced and better educated user population, almost exclusively white and predominantly male. It is time to decide whether the best thing for wilderness and our society is to try to restore historic patterns of use ( to include younger people, the less wealthy and lower educated) in greater numbers, to try to identify new markets within growing underrepresented populations, or …

Spirit, Breath, And Air, Chloe Crawford

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Early settler views toward wilderness differed from Natives encountered in the New World. While Native Americans advocated balance and respect for their wilderness surroundings, European immigrants felt fear and repulsion toward it. However, their views on wilderness changed so much by the late 1800s that sanitariums were built in remote climates promoting outdoor air as a cure for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Just as the concept of wilderness emerged in opposition to civilization, fresh or pure air cannot be defined or appreciated until pollution takes hold. The success of climatic cures for respiratory disorders was pushed aside as western …

Review Of Romancing The Wild, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section reviewed the book "Romancing the Wild: Cultural Dimensions of Eco tourism," written by Robert Fletcher and reviewed by Jeff Rose, PhD.

Review Of Principles Of Sustainable Living, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section reviewed the book "Principles of Sustainable Living: A New Vision for Health, Happiness, and Prosperity," written by Richard Jurin and reviewed by Martin Ogle.

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists teaching resources of all types for those who work in outdoor education at the time of publication. Some highlighted items include "Outdoor Play for 1-3 Year Olds" and "How to Get Kids Offline, Outdoors, and Connecting with Nature."

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education, including the "National Association for Interpretation Conference" and the "BOOST (Best of Out-of-School Time) Conference."

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists teaching resources of all types for those who work in outdoor education at the time of publication. Some highlighted items include:

Eco-Warriors: Updated Edition

Rise of the Eco-Warriors: Film Review

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists conferences in the field of outdoor education including the "North American Association for Environmental Education" and "4th IEA Clean Coal Centre Workshop on Cofiring Biomass with Coal."

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education, including the "American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference" and the "Anthropogenic Impacts on Coastal Communities and Ecosystems."

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists teaching resources of all types for those who work in outdoor education at the time of publication. Some items include the books: "The Essential Urban Farmer" and "The Soul of Capitalism."

Rethinking The Adventure Education Experience: An Inquiry Of Meanings, Culture And Educational Virtue, Benjamin Charles Ingman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is an investigation of the adventure education (AE) experience with particular attention to what happens during the AE experience, the meanings participants ascribe to the experience, how personal backgrounds and institutional cultures coalesce in AE, and the significance of the AE experience for schooling. These topics are explored through observing and interviewing participants of adventure education programs under the qualitative framework of educational connoisseurship and criticism. The experiences at the three sites of study—an outdoor challenge course, a wilderness backpacking expedition and a summer adventure program—are described in detail and illustrated through the qualities of the experience (celebratory …

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

In this section, Charles Yaple discuses the importance of this issue's theme, social capital. He begins with an anecdote from his own childhood and goes on to summarize the main articles of this issue, all of which center on the need for community and the value of inter-generational relationships.

Professional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists two opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. These options include a "Call for Abstracts" and a "Research Solicitation Announcement."

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the filed of outdoor education including: the "Association of Nature Center Administrators Summit" and the "Wilderness Risk Management Conference."

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission to support and further outdoor education and its goals.

Exploring The Bronx's Post-Industrial Concrete Plant Park, Nathan Kensinger

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Concrete Plant Park, which opened in 2009, is part of New York City's new series of parks that creatively engage their industrial past. Although overshadowed by its more famous siblings— The High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park—^this seven-acre space is the city's answer to Seattle's seminal Gas Works Park. Both parks prominently feature structures from their industrial history, and both seek to bring the public to a polluted, neglected post-industrial waterfront.

Interview With Jesse Silverstein, Raena Blumenthal

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

In this section, Raena Blumenthal interviews Jesse Silverstein, the Executive Director of the Colorado Brownfields Foundation, about the issue of brownfields and their potential redevelopment.

Generating Learning By Generating Wind Power, Katina Sayers-Walker

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This paper is a first-hand account that details the project and activities that led to the building of the Tully Central Schools' windmill. Beginning in the fall 2008 and continuing through the spring 2011, students and teachers at the Tully High School in Tully, New York worked collaboratively with community members to build a windmill on school grounds. Using traditional and not-so traditional methods of teaching and instruction, students were engaged in "hands-on" and "minds-on" learning activities. Community members were called upon for additional expertise in the area of electrical engineering. This project was an initiative funded by State University …