Panarchy

Natureology Annual Report to Contributors 2013

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amed for Pan, the ancient mythical Greek god of nature, Panarchy was introduced to us by our teacher Rick Zenn, Senior Fellow at the World Forestry Center and Founder of their signature program, the International Educators Institute in Portland, Oregon. Rick explained that forests, for example, experience growth and decline - but after that, things don’t just end. Life continues on in varying directions. In these ways a forest ecosystem restructures and revives itself, often improved in health, vigor and productivity. In his book, The Upside of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity, and the Renewal of Civilization, author Thomas Homer-Dixon interprets the 20 year old theory; “Panarchy is a conceptual framework to account for the dual, and seemingly contradictory, characteristics of all complex systems – stability and change. Put simply, the catastrophe of collapse allows for the birth of something new. The cycle of growth, collapse, reorganization, and rebirth allows the forest to adapt over the long term to a constantly changing environment.” This dynamic theory transcends areas from forests to relationships, projects to professions. Natureology celebrated its 5th anniversary delivering quality outdoor recreational experiences for children and adults in 2013. Like many fledgling businesses, our efforts in environmental education experienced a panarchaic trail of growth-decline-renewal. Calamity inspired a surge of resilience through which we endeavored to persevere. And it worked. Over the years, Natureology has propelled professional learning communities between individuals, schools, organizations, agencies and businesses, reaching thousands of Michigan’s children, their family members and their teachers, employing restorative nature explorations. To recognize this impact, a special tribute was given on April 11, 2013 during a session of the Ninety-Seventh Legislature at Lansing. Governor Rick Snyder, State Senator Howard Walker (37th District) and State Representative Peter Pettalia (106th District) shared their sentiment; “We dedicate this special tribute to honor Natureology in its mission to educate youth about the environment. Your dedication goes above and beyond to reach out to Michigan’s students, and your accomplishments make our districts better. Thank you for your commitment to environmental education.” This annual report highlights our 2013 contributions in local to global outreach and education. We thank all of our partners for investing in us through constantly changing environments, and fueling our resolve to sow reverence for the great outdoors.

neighborhood projects

www.natureology.me

Impact Begins at Home

Together with partners including the Getting Kids Outdoors Coalition and our friends from Earth Week Plus, Natureology helped launch meaningful environmental education projects to benefit our community in 2013. Our staff fostered steering committees, authored successful grant proposals, and developed strategic plans. As a result, weekly public workshops featuring outdoor activities including nature explorations at Pond Hill Farm of Harbor Springs (opposite page), ice fishing on Silver Lake with Wolverine Camps, and sharing national environmental education curriculum programs with teachers, flourished throughout our Northern Michigan neighborhoods. After taking over the reins in 2012, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director, Keith Creagh encouraged measures to increase recreational opportunities for visitors on state land across Michigan. “These efforts are integral to our success,” shared Director Creagh during a 2013 partnerships meeting. Natureology applauds our local leadership at Cheboygan, Petoskey and Young State Parks for championing the value of visitor programming and welcoming our offers of support to provide this key service for visitors to our hometown parks.

Invasive Species Research, Cheboygan State Park

Visit our website at: and click on the ‘Partners’ tab for more information on our joint projects and future programming.

MDNR Director Keith Creagh & Natureology Founder Maureen Stine

at a recent regional partnerships meeting.

Ecology of Petoskey State Park Project Learning Tree at Young State Park

“Get teachers and students into the community, into the woods and on the streets – closer to the beauty and true grit. Get the town engineer, the mayor and the environmental educator onto the schoolyard and inside the four walls of the school. These are the places we all belong.” -David Sobel

regional collaborations

Celebrating Renewal

Prior to 2013, the last official Shivaree held on Black Lake (Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties, MI.) took place in1961. Our friends from Sturgeon for Tomorrow led by Black Lake Chapter President, Brenda Archambo weredetermined to resurrect the 52 year old winter festival.Brenda worked with agencies and businesses from acrossthe ‘tip of the mitt’ to launch the event celebrating the LakeSturgeon season opener and winter outdoor recreation.

Natureology was excited to join the festivities of Shivaree,one of many meaningful projects that sprouted from strongregional partnerships throughout the year. Our staff also enjoys serving as an Assets and Experts contributor to the Straits Area Hub of S.T.E.M., participating on the Leadership Team of the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, and serving the Board of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Region 4. We remain united with our friends and partners and dedicated to outstanding work throughout the Great Lakes Basin for the benefit of the next generations.

Above: IDNR Chief of Interpretation,Vicki Basmanfacilitates our strategic plan development during

NAI Region 4’s annual Board Meeting, Jan. 18, 2013, atPokagon State Park, Angola, IN. Opposite Page & Below Left:

Festival attendees enjoy the outdoors during Shivaree. Below Right:Teaching kids to fish at our 2nd annual

Natureology Adventure Camp, Aug. 2013.

state partnerships With Great Friends Soar Great Opportunities What a year for essential statewide programs!

Natureology was thrilled again to participate in the annual Get Outside and Play at the Capitol (opposite page), held on June 18, 2013. Created and overseen by our friends at the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, this event draws statewide partners together to share fun activities with nearly one thousand children in a day spent out-of-doors. Upper Right: Michigan Green Schools celebrated their 7th year of success in 2013! Natureology coordinates MGS within the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District. We congratulate Vanderbilt Area School for becoming the first Green School in Otsego County on April 22, 2013. Thanks to Justin Burchett, Executive Director of the Gaylord Downtown Development Authority for helping us bridge that gap. Middle Right: Natureology was tremendously fortunate to work once again with Donna Posont, former Program Manager of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind. Donna enabled 20 children from across the state to travel to our camp in Cheboygan County for a week-long adventure in the northwoods. Donna shared how the partnership began, “Maureen Stine was seeking to advance her interpretive craft and share nature explorations with blind children and I was looking for outdoor programming to offer – it was the perfect fit.” Donna specializes in ‘Birding by Ear’ which was featured in 2013 by CBS News Correspondent, Dean Reynolds, and is endorsed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Donna currently serves the programming department of the Environmental Interpretive Center at University of Michigan-Dearborn. Lower Right: Natureology joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Campaign to promote eco- and agri-tourism in our state.

With Great Friends Soar Great Opportunities What a year for essential statewide programs!

Natureology was thrilled again to participate in the annual Get Outside and Play at the Capitol (opposite page), held on June 18, 2013. Created and overseen by our friends at the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, this event draws statewide partners together to share fun activities with nearly one thousand children in a day spent out-of-doors. Upper Right: Michigan Green Schools celebrated their 7th year of success in 2013! Natureology coordinates MGS within the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District. We congratulate Vanderbilt Area School for becoming the first Green School in Otsego County on April 22, 2013. Thanks to Justin Burchett, Executive Director of the Gaylord Downtown Development Authority for helping us bridge that gap. Middle Right: Natureology was tremendously fortunate to work once again with Donna Posont, former Program Manager of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind. Donna enabled 20 children from across the state to travel to our camp in Cheboygan County for a week-long adventure in the northwoods. Donna shared how the partnership began, “Maureen Stine was seeking to advance her interpretive craft and share nature explorations with blind children and I was looking for outdoor programming to offer – it was the perfect fit.” Donna specializes in ‘Birding by Ear’ which was featured in 2013 by CBS News Correspondent, Dean Reynolds, and is endorsed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Donna currently serves the programming department of the Environmental Interpretive Center at University of Michigan-Dearborn. Lower Right: Natureology joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Campaign to promote eco- and agri-tourism in our state.

national initiatives Serving Teachers: It’s in Our DNA

Our staff holds Facilitator Certifications with many popular national programs, and wespent 2013 traveling to support workshops for educational leaders across the country.

These award-winning curriculums focus on a full-spectrum of environmental education themes from trees, to wildlife, birds, water and archery. Certifications give teachers the tools to share nature with children using effective, action-driven, multi-sensory activitiesthat appeal to kids.

We offer 1/2 day, full-day and weekend certification workshops for teachers and naturalists.Let us implement your next professional development certification. Gather a few friends andcolleagues and give us a call, for a unique opportunity to enhance your students’ learning experiences,network with other academic leaders and resource professionals, and earn SCECH.

Serving Teachers: It’s in Our DNA

Our staff holds Facilitator Certifications with many popular national programs, and wespent 2013 traveling to support workshops for educational leaders across the country.

These award-winning curriculums focus on a full-spectrum of environmental education themes from trees, to wildlife, birds, water and archery. Certifications give teachers the tools to share nature with children using effective, action-driven, multi-sensory activitiesthat appeal to kids.

We offer 1/2 day, full-day and weekend certification workshops for teachers and naturalists.Let us implement your next professional development certification. Gather a few friends andcolleagues and give us a call, for a unique opportunity to enhance your students’ learning experiences,network with other academic leaders and resource professionals, and earn SCECH.

global connectivity You Should Go

Since 1996, the World Forestry Center’s International Educators Institute (IEI) has attracted some of the most successful and inspirational leaders working to advance conservation education in 45 countries and 36 states. Many thanks to Michigan’s Project Learning Tree, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the American Forest Foundation for awarding and sponsoring our participation in this incredible program which allowed us to bring the experience back to Northern Michigan’s students and NIPF landowners.

In July, 2013, twenty-two participants (opposite page)representing nearly as many nations from around the globe were guided through daily stops along the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mt. St. Helen’s and other national treasures between Oregon and Washington. IEI students learned about issues facing world forestry on this 7 day forestry study tour spent hiking through national forests and touring the Pacific Northwest, welcomed along the way by gracious hosts including Weyerhaeuser foresters, federal forestry researchers, private sawmill operators, and tribal elders from the Warm Springs Nation.

The International Educators Institute is the premiere professional development program for experienced leaders in education, research, natural resources management and strategic communication who are committed to advancing effective teaching and learning about the world’s forests.

Above: Rick Zenn, IEI Founder and Instructor

You Should Go

Since 1996, the World Forestry Center’s International Educators Institute (IEI) has attracted some of the most successful and inspirational leaders working to advance conservation education in 45 countries and 36 states. Many thanks to Michigan’s Project Learning Tree, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the American Forest Foundation for awarding and sponsoring our participation in this incredible program which allowed us to bring the experience back to Northern Michigan’s students and NIPF landowners.

In July, 2013, twenty-two participants (opposite page)representing nearly as many nations from around the globe were guided through daily stops along the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mt. St. Helen’s and other national treasures between Oregon and Washington. IEI students learned about issues facing world forestry on this 7 day forestry study tour spent hiking through national forests and touring the Pacific Northwest, welcomed along the way by gracious hosts including Weyerhaeuser foresters, federal forestry researchers, private sawmill operators, and tribal elders from the Warm Springs Nation.

The International Educators Institute is the premiere professional development program for experienced leaders in education, research, natural resources management and strategic communication who are committed to advancing effective teaching and learning about the world’s forests.

Above: Rick Zenn, IEI Founder and Instructor

A Simple ThanksIt’s undeniable. Recent years have provided unprecedented opportunities for conservation and environmental education. We thank our family of volunteers and staff along with our partners and clients for their support as we celebrate this unique mile marker in our work. A very special thank youto the organization that sent the anonymous donation for our programming in 2013. Your generous gift helped us reach hundreds of children.

Table on inside cover used by permission from Thomas Homer-Dixon, 2013. Thanks also to, Judy Braus, Justin Burchett, Bobie and Lanny Crongeyer, Li-Wan Chang, Lynn Kochiss, Justin Lippe, Tara Nichole, Cydney Steeb, Ada Takacs, Jen Winnell, and Rick Zenn for the use of photos.

Anastasia Anti, Great Lakes Curriculum Development Maureen Corbett, Marketing & Communications Madelynn Jacobs, Travel Coordinator Julie Malinowski, Interpretive Costuming and Design Andrea Stine, Outdoor Recreation Specialist David Stine, Wildlife Biology Advisor Heather Stine, Photography & Program Support Maureen Stine, Founder/Interpretive Programming

Thank_you_page_BlackText.pdf 1 2/13/14 1:51 PM

Ecology StudiesGuided Float TripsProfessional CertificationsGraphic Design/Print Media

Forestry StewardshipWatershed ExplorationsIce Fishing for Families

Professional Grant Writing

We offer a variety of year-round nature explorations for children and professional certifications for adults

Contact us for information on our interpretive programming

NATUREOLOGY

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RECIPIENT OF:

National Outstanding Educator of the Year, Project Learning Tree, 2013 Excellence in Conservation Education, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2013

Outstanding Contributions to Environmental Education by an Individual, North American Association for Environmental Education, 2013

A Simple ThanksIt’s undeniable. Recent years have provided unprecedented opportunities for conservation and environmental education. We thank our family of volunteers and staff along with our partners and clients for their support as we celebrate this unique mile marker in our work. A very special thank youto the organization that sent the anonymous donation for our programming in 2013. Your generous gift helped us reach hundreds of children.

Table on inside cover used by permission from Thomas Homer-Dixon, 2013. Thanks also to, Judy Braus, Justin Burchett, Bobie and Lanny Crongeyer, Li-Wan Chang, Lynn Kochiss, Justin Lippe, Tara Nichole, Cydney Steeb, Ada Takacs, Jen Winnell, and Rick Zenn for the use of photos.

Anastasia Anti, Great Lakes Curriculum Development Maureen Corbett, Marketing & Communications Madelynn Jacobs, Travel Coordinator Julie Malinowski, Interpretive Costuming and Design Andrea Stine, Outdoor Recreation Specialist David Stine, Wildlife Biology Advisor Heather Stine, Photography & Program Support Maureen Stine, Founder/Interpretive Programming

Thank_you_page_BlackText.pdf 1 2/13/14 1:51 PM