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Innovation in Education 1967 to today

Article by: Denise Lewis, Director of Programs

Decades ago, nature education mainly consisted of basics like tree identification and wildlife tracking. The first nature centers and greenspaces were mainly self-guided, trail rules were limited or non-existent, and taking live creatures and artifacts from nature was the norm.

I was a young child in the 1960s, and although I spent countless hours outside, I never had the opportunity to learn from professional nature educators about our wild world. The adults in our lives taught us “lessons” passed down from family including folklore and old-wives’ tales.

Today, Fontenelle Forest employs Naturalist Educators to help our visitors understand and enjoy our natural spaces.

I recently read through several issues of Fontenelle Forest’s first copies of the “Leaflet” that were published in 1967 — 58 years ago. Fontenelle Forest had built a new Natural Science Building, heated but without indoor restrooms, and just one staff member, James Malkowski. A few months later, a naturalist and a receptionist joined the team. The small staff welcomed 1,757 students for formal nature interpretation lessons during the first year. That winter, Christmas Bird Counts, Winter Hikes and Guided Hikes for Members were offered. Individual memberships cost between $5-$10, which would be between $50-$100 today

The following year, in 1968, volunteers were first mentioned in the Leaflet, and Night Hikes were added to the calendar as well as, 3-hour summer camp programs for $1.00 for members.
The 1970s brought more firsts for the Forest; Butterfly Hikes, Owl Prowls, week-long summer camps, and lectures on the Fontenelle Family and the Trading Post Era. A Chief Naturalist, Andy Saunders, was hired, and he formed a broader and more intentional Nature Education program. Naturalist Educators wore a uniform and a badge — and spent many hours of training for their roles.

Today, Fontenelle Forest’s Education Department has continued refining and teaching many of these programs. The Forest still offers night hikes in the form of our popular Full Moon Hikes and Owl Prowls. Additionally, you can find summer camps, various guided hikes, and adult lecture programs on our calendar.

The Forest’s dynamic team of educators believes that innovation in nature education is fluid, and they continually collaborate to design new programming that meets high standards. We listen to our members to provide diverse learning opportunities for folks of all ages.

Even as the years pass, our mission remains the same: To inspire curiosity and a connection to nature through experiences and adventures.

A Fontenelle Forest Teacher Naturalist teaching children in the 1980’s

Fontenelle Forest Teacher Naturalist training in the 1970’s

Fontenelle Forest is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit.

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