At our staff gathering this week, one of our instructors shared that she was graduating high school when I founded Earthroots in 2005! I felt pretty old at that moment, which got some laughs, but she went on to share how grateful she was that something like Earthroots exists for her to contribute to, and to work alongside others who are bringing goodness to the world. What continues to amaze me is not just the impact Earthroots has on individuals—but how that impact carries forward, from one generation to the next.
If you would have told me 20 years ago that multiple generations would have been touched by Earthroots, I would have been in awe. And I am in awe today. Earlier in the fall, I visited a Forest Kindergarten class at Big Oak Canyon. I taught that class when my children were young, and the class is such a beautiful rhythm to sink back into. I love the joyful sounds of children and parents adventuring under the oaks, the songs, the crafts, and the curiosity that guides the flow of the day. I noticed that one of the attendees had the same last name as a student from 20 years ago. I was curious and wanted to find out more. Christine was there with her two grandchildren, and sure enough, their aunt Chloe attended Earthroots two decades prior, when she was a young girl with her mom, Christine. I remembered the family, and called Chloe on the phone to catch up.
We reminisced about her time in the Earthroots homeschool program a long time ago. She shared how her instructors, “Woodrat” (Evan Brown) & “Spider” (Meg Handler), only went by their “nature names” for a whole year, and how she was mentored by them with skillful care. She shared stories of plants, building confidence, and pushing past her fear to learn new skills.
Now as an adult, Chloe reflected on how her formative years outdoors with Earthroots continue to shape her life and work today:
“As a child therapist now, I wish that all the kids I work with are encouraged to be outside and learn from their mistakes in a safe way. Even if you don’t have something to heal, being outside is significant. I encourage those I work with to spend more time outside, even on school campuses. Especially if people are acting out with negative behaviors, they need time, space, and independence outdoors. Earthroots is that on steroids and I’m glad I got to be involved at the point that I did.”
(Chloe in white).
(Chloe, Christine, & grandchildren)
Over the decades of leading Earthroots, I have seen students from all backgrounds and abilities grow stronger, develop curiosity, learn tools to become more aware, and find belonging in a community who values connection and care for the natural world.
What we see unfolding at Earthroots is part of a larger movement—one that author Richard Louv calls the “New Nature Movement.”
“… [the new nature movement] goes beyond the good practices of traditional environmentalism and sustainability, one that paints a compelling, inspiring portrait of a society that is better than the one we presently live in. Not just a survivable world, but a nature-rich world in which our children and grandchildren thrive.”
We nurture in young people an awareness of nature’s beauty, the skills to move confidently within it, and the wisdom to protect it. Seeing how they carry these lessons into adulthood reminds us why this work matters. We are grateful to be walking this path with you, and hope you will continue to join us for the next 20 years and beyond.
Help us keep a good thing going for generations to come!
