We speak with Jackie Broder, director of the Mamakating Environmental Education Center in New York’s Catskill Mountains. The Center abuts the Basha Kill wetland, a vital self-contained ecosystem. It helps students, families, and community members to connect with the area’s distinct biodiversity and rich history and to develop an emotional connection with nature.
Overview
00:00-00:28 Intros
0028:01:30 Mamakating Environmental Education Center
01:30-02:57 Teaching history
02:57-02:57 Adventure programs
02:57-04:31 Transportation issues with schools
04:31-06:36 Promoting equity and ethics
06:36-07:59 How we talk about history
07:59-09:19 Visit to a Montessori school
09:19-10:31 Children’s impressions and misimpressions about nature
10:31-11:40 Learning about wetlands
11:40-12:49 Developing an emotional connection to nature
12:49-13:33 Connecting with teachers’ curricula
13:33-14:53 Working with teachers; getting buy-in
14:53-16:55 Learning to be “good ancestors”
16:55-18:00 Thinking about/addressing climate change
18:00-18:39 Connections in local communities
18:39-19:33 Nature centers around the country
19:33-20:22 Connection with the Town of Mamakating
20:22-20:48 Family programs at the center
20:48- Outro
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.
References
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear
Photo: mamakating.org