The Nature Connection Leadership One-Credit Class

Nature Connection Leadership

at the Morven Sustainability Lab, University of Virginia

ETP 3500 Spring, 2026

Welcome!

Together, we will explore the science of nature connectedness, the evidence-based pathways that deepen it, and its role in community mental health and conservation-mindedness. We will ground our study in experiential nature connection activities. At the end of the class, you will host a retreat for your peers that reflects the core concepts, facilitation skills, and practices that nurture nature-connected communities.

Carolyn Schuyler

Instructor:

Carolyn Schuyler is a UVA Visiting Scholar, a Morven Sustainability Lab Community Scholar, a psychotherapist, and the founder of Wildrock and Nature Connection Lab, two local nonprofit organizations that promote nature connection for health and happiness. Her joy is helping people to find meaning and purpose in their relationship with nature.

Nature Connection Leadership

Welcome Retreat

-making, and kinship care. You will also be introduced to the main facilitation skills and community engagement practices that you will cultivate throughout the course. A Nature Connection Concept Map will be provided to support your learning.

During the welcome retreat, you will connect with other like-minded students.

Community Engagement

Students participate in community engagement projects.

Projects include:

1) Planning and leading a two-hour retreat on April 24th at Morven for friends and classmates.

2) Designing and creating an interactive nature connection sandwich board for use at Morven.

3) Creating an interactive exhibit to be displayed during the final retreat that explores the human nature relationship.

Projects integrate the program's foundational knowledge concepts, exploration areas, and facilitation skills.

Independent Exploration

To develop the expertise needed to promote the science and practice of nature connection, students read articles covering foundational knowledge and facilitation skills. All the materials are selected to provide you with the core knowledge needed to work across a wide range of settings, from urban office buildings to remote wilderness areas.

Concepts will be incorporated into the final Morven retreat and explored in personal mission statements.

Closing Retreat

During the closing retreat, you will have the opportunity to share your personal mission statement that reflects your knowledge of foundational concepts and your interests in ongoing nature connection work.

At the completion of class, students may say:

-I have expertise that allows me to educate others about the science and practice of nature connectedness.

-I have expertise in leading community engagement experiences to promote nature connection through events, retreats, workshops, and projects.

Instructors: Carolyn Schuyler is a UVA Visiting Scholar, a Morven Sustainability Lab Community Scholar, a psychotherapist/ecotherapist, and the founder of Wildrock and Nature Connection Lab, two local nonprofit organizations seeking to promote nature connection for health and happiness. Her joy is joining with others to find meaning and purpose in a relationship with nature.

Assisting the class is Dorothe Bach, Associate Director and Professor at UVA's Center for Teaching Excellence. She is committed to helping students create a life for themselves that is in keeping with their deeply held values and considers their natural and social environments.

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