Camille S. Edwards x Dan Kriesberg
Diversity Education in Nature
DEIN
Nature continues to be one of our greatest teachers and by going outdoors we can discover solutions to some of the challenges facing our society. Nature surrounds us with what works. Four billion years of life has evolved to create the biodiversity that sustains stable ecosystems. Inspiration to take on the challenges of diversity and inclusion can be found by learning from nature and applying those lessons to our lives. In addition, time outdoors experiencing the Earth as a role model gives us emotional, physical, and social benefits that are transformative for ourselves and our communities. It is also fun!
when we love the earth, we are able
to love ourselves more fully - bell hooks
Our Workshops
These workshops combine hands-on outdoor lessons and group discussions. The activities we have designed cultivate an understanding of the ecological concepts of biodiversity and symbiosis in order to generate ideas people can apply to their organizations. By working in community during these experiences, community-building is happening in real time. We believe that outdoor education is an effective way to make any community a more diverse, inclusive, and empathic place for all.
The workshop can be conducted in virtually any outdoor space from a public lawn, to a private schoolyard or corporate campus, to a forest. The programmatic pillars of our workshop experience uphold tenets that embody our core values:
→ Practicing Radical Empathy
→ Honoring Diversity
→ Cultivating Reciprocity
→ Nurturing Interrelationships
Workshops can be held as a single session, half-day, full-day experiences, or a week-long residency. Workshops can be designed for students in grades 4-12 and adults.
Our Team of Facilitators
Camille S. Edwards (she/her)
Camille S. Edwards is a DEI practitioner of thirteen years and currently serves as the Director of DEI at Friends Academy, a Quaker independent school on Long Island, New York.
As a DEI practitioner, Camille specializes in the areas of (1) curriculum review, (2) program design, (3) hiring & retention, (4) professional development & training, and (5) relationships & culture. In schools, her passion ignites around the intrapersonal and interpersonal professional development opportunities for educators who are engaging and leading DEI efforts and advancements across their school communities. She coaches executive teams, designs & facilitates retreats, and specializes in strategic community engagement initiatives.
You can view more of her work at Camille Simone Consulting.
Dan Kriesberg
(he/him)
Dan Kriesberg has been a science teacher and environmental educator for over 40 years. Currently, he teaches at Friends Academy, a Quaker independent school on Long Island, New York. Dan is the author of two books on outdoor environmental education, as well as over 100 articles on environmental education and essays about his experiences in the outdoors.
Over the years, Dan has developed awarding winning programs. He is an experienced backpacker and ever since a young age, whenever possible, Dan spends his time in wild places backpacking, hiking, and simply hanging out.
You can view more of his work at Earth Wisdom.