Pre-conference Workshops and Seminars » Place-Based Pedagogy Workshop

Observe, Participate, Reflect: The Land Ethic Leaders Method

One of Aldo Leopold’s great strengths as a scientist and communicator was his ability to weave reflections on history, social trends, and ethics into his deliberation of ecological issues.  To follow his lead today, the Aldo Leopold Foundation has developed a program to help people create opportunities for community dialogue about humanity’s relationships to the natural world. 

The Land Ethic Leaders program is rooted in Leopold’s own method of engaging his family and students in developing a personal land ethic—observing the natural world through scientific inquiry, participating in purposeful work on the land, and reflecting on their experiences. Together, these activities can bring people to a new understanding and respect for the landscape around them. The main thrust of the program is in teaching participants to lead reflective discussions with a group of people using pieces of literature as a starting point.  The program generally takes place over a two-day period, so this workshop focuses on methodology of and rationale behind the program rather than providing a complete training in discussion facilitation.

In this workshop, you will take part in an outdoor observation activity and a reflective discussion using a piece of Aldo Leopold’s writing.  We will then analyze the method you have experienced, breaking down the parts of the each activity and discussing their function in attaining the goals of the program.  We will look at variations on the method and consider how such reflective elements could be used your own settings.

Buddy Huffaker has been the executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation since 1999.  He has published several essays and given numerous lectures on Aldo Leopold and his land ethic philosophy.  With his education staff, he has designed and led Land Ethic Leaders training workshops for participants from across the United States and several foreign countries.

To pre-register for this workshop, please contact Greta Gaard: greta.gaard uwrf.edu. A fee will be due at regular registration, price is TBD but in the $15-20 range.