Eco-tellers Retreat 2010

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2010-06-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

2010 ECO/Environmental Storytellers Retreat (Summary)

2010-05-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

The 3rd annual Eco/Environmental Storytellers Retreat was held April 9-11 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Previous retreats were held in other states.

Eric Wolf, with assistance from Jonatha Wright, organized the event, held in the Vale Community in Yellow Springs. Those who arrived on Friday enjoyed a pot luck dinner with residents of the Vale community. On Saturday evening, a fund-raising concert performed on the Antioch College Campus by many of the retreat participants raised funds to benefit the Tecumseh Land Trust.

Workshop sessions and discussion topics were determined in advance through e-mail conversations with those attending. Sessions included:

• “Guided Inquiry” led by Kevin Cordi, who chose coal mining as the topic for this activity. We each selected 4-5 documents scattered over the floor, then wrote a question prompted by each. Kevin facilitated an unscripted role-playing discussion based on the questions. Roles included mine owner, engineer, widow of a miner, surviving miners and others. A good technique to prompt in-depth exploration of a topic.
• Environmental Theater for Kids — Eric Wolf. Eric writes scenarios wherein campers become characters, perhaps even animals. These are set in places like Africa, a meadow, and a local community with a polluted pond. The focus is on a conflict/crisis that affects humans and/or the natural world. As many as three scenarios are taking place at one time, (all in the same habitat). The discussion that follows provides additional insights and evaluates students’ understanding and increased knowledge.
• A discussion of the need for stories with a positive outcome, (vs. tales of environmental disasters), both in folk-tales and in true stories was led by Fran Stallings of Oklahoma. Having observed a feeling of hopelessness about the earth’s plight, especially among teens, She suggested using stories, including true “ECO-Hero” stories, to promote hopefulness and provide examples of actionable projects.
• A discussion of National Park Residencies and the obligation to create a useful product for the park ws led by Sally Crandall (who will be resident at Homestead National Monument in Nebraska later this year)
• Creating a themed program — start to finish, led by Joyce Geary, Jonatha and Harold Wright and Janelle Reardon. We divided into three groups, each group creating a program on one of the TOPICS: Air, Fire, and Water. A guiding THEME for each (a sentence describing the desired take-away message of the program) was developed by the group. Each group presented the theme, an outline of the program and stories to be included, telling one or two stories from the program.

There were opportunities for “hat stories” (storyteller’s name drawn out of hat), nature hikes in the nearby parks (a deep gorge and beautiful glen), and quiet time in a serene natural setting.

Day of Friday, April 9 2010

2010-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

(Times listed are approximate and may be adjusted when more accurate information is available)

Please have someone else report on the following two events -- I was not present.
1 p.m. – Tree Walk with George Beri, Land Manager, the Glen
3:30 p.m. – Flower Walk in the North Glen

6:30 p.m. – Pot Luck on the Vale Commons
Registered attendees are invited to meet the Vale community members
Our excellent dinner, including contributions from the travelers, featured delicious, healthful vegetarian and vegan choices provided by residents of the Vale community. In addition to the bonfire area, there is a large community garden that inspired some discussion of the advantages of locally grown fresh produce.

8 p.m. – Hanging around the Vale Commons Campfire telling stories (Moved to the Yurt)
Because the night was cool, we moved into the yurt for storytelling. The spacious yurt was home to most of the retreat activities, providing the warmth of a wood fire, an excellent hardwood floor appropriate for all kinds of movement activities, comfortable rugs underfoot that could be moved as needed. There was an assortment of cushions and blankets available for those who preferred floor sitting, or who may have forgotten to bring a chair. Colored lights and symbolic banners brightened the perimeter, along with an assortment of objects for inspiration and reflection.
Names were put into a hat of those willing to share stories. One by one, the tellers’ names were drawn and the stories told.
(WHO, WHICH Stories?) Anybody remember – please email Eric Wolf ericwolf2@yahoo.com

Morning of Saturday, April 10

2010-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

9 a.m. – Opening Ceremony
Eric Wolf provided a number of colorful silk scarves, along with an invitation to create a focal point in the center of the yurt. One by one, we added color, texture and shades of meaning with the scarves, stones we brought from home, and objects found in the yurt. The soft, colorful scarves provided the feeling of flow and motion, anchored by the stones and other objects added to this centerpiece. Textures and symbolism were provided by a large exercise ball, a tall drum, a stone goddess figure, part of an animal’s skull, a painted gourd and a lampshade.

9:20 a.m. -- Acceptance of Schedule
All present agreed to the schedule as proposed

9:25 a.m. -- Lisa Homes – Performance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Lisa presented part of the program she created for the Clark County Solid Waste District, called “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” Designed for Grades K-4, the program has currently been presented to about 800 students in Clark County, Ohio, and is part of their “Keep Clark County Beautiful” campaign.
The program is presented by three characters: Trash Hildaville, The Wizard of Waste, and Mother Earth. These characters make learning about waste and recycling fun for kids.Lisa plays both Trash Hildaville and Mother Earth. A colleague who plays the Wizard was unable to be present. Eric Wolf did an abbreviated version of the wizard during the presentation.
When Trash Hildaville appeared on stage dressed in dirty, ragged clothing with brown teeth and with her huge stash of trash, we were surprised and confused. When she began emptying it on the floor and throwing it at us – rats, used diapers, plastic jars and much, much more, we were appalled. She LOVED the stuff, describing the ugly litter, the danger to animals, and the pungent odors (which we were thankful were not part of the presentation) with great delight. Though Lisa portrayed Trash Hildaville with great delight and a positive attitude, she elicited the desired response – disgust and disagreement.
After making a disgusting mess, she left the trash behind and left, telling us that Mother Nature was coming and she’d better leave.
At that point, the Wizard of Waste arrived (substituting for him was Eric Wolf.) As he started picking up the trash, he described other uses for some of the discards, and that some of the items were made from recycled materials. He talked about appropriate recycling and disposal methods of the items picked up.
Following the pick-up, Mother Earth arrived, looking beautiful in a gown adorned with flowers & butterflies. The Wizard’s part provided time for Lisa to change from “Trash” to Mother Earth. She discussed what children can do to help the earth and reinforced the previous messages.
After the program, the main points are reviewed in a discussion period with the children. Teachers may follow up with a recycling project, but Lisa’s agency doesn’t track that. The agency puts together big bags of things for the kids to take home.
Discussion provided the following additional ideas:
• Possibly track behavior changes
• Take home a 3R’s report card and grade the family’s trash/recycling practices
• Schools could evaluate what is thrown away after lunch and try to make appropriate changes
• Encourage kids to pick up litter regardless of who tossed it
• Consider a teen level version of the program

10 a.m. – Eric Wolf report on Living Theater Education
Eric presents Living Theater education to turn already eco-knowledgeable participants into activists. He has done this throughout the summer at a nature camp for several years. Eric writes several scenarios, dividing the kids into groups and assigning roles. There are usually three scenarios running simultaneously. While viewing videos of campers in action, running through a scenario, Eric described the process.
In Living Earth Theater, Mad Max is a bad guy. Kids become animals (and/or human characters). Eric is a trained tracker and teaches kids how the animal actually moves. They can finish by having the kids discuss, interpret and comment on the experience.
In one example, the participants are role-playing as an elephant and villagers in Africa. As the designated time goes by, the role-playing becomes easier for the kids. With increased comfort comes more improvisation and more involvement. Conflict
inside the group occurs. The three scenarios may include:
• Ivory
• Hunting elephants
• Butterfly
In one scenario, villages make a deal with Mad Max to get guns, paid for with ivory, to fight against an evil dictator. This sets up an ethics discussion – ivory poaching is bad, guns are bad, but the evil dictator may be worse. Eric crafts the story and possible endings. He mixes age level of the kids and gives them roles.
Younger participants tend to reduce the story to black and white, good and bad, while older students see shades of gray and multiple values in the situations.
In the scednario, “Mad Max and the Poison Pond”, a company dumped popcorn waste into a pond. There is a frog spirit who talks in riddles and a wise man who interprets his sayings.
This (Living Theater) is a method of teaching kids using emotional learning, which is more powerful than intellectual concepts. Though Eric has found that is very difficult to trigger creativity in the kids. When triggered, however, their imagination can be a powerful part of the process. During one scenario, the kids staged a sit-down strike because of ivory being sold in the store.
Eric said that he has led this at the same nature camp every summer at “Free Spirit Nature Camp”, 6 hours a day for 80-150 children present at any time. (For two weeks.) Other facilities say it sounds like “Earth First” and consider it too radical to include in their curriculum.
Youngest participants may be 4-5 years old. Though they are not really players in the exercise, they are given roles, becoming “The African Village.”
Eric’s current repertoire of scenarios includes: Africa, Pond, Fields, Nuclear Power Plant (Poisonous Peter).
This program requires a lot of adults, with a ratio of 15 to one being maximum, 10/1 is better. Eric involves lots of junior staff (15-16 yrs old). Three groups at one time, each with adult, junior staff, a major character and a facilitator (Eric)
Fran Stallikngs commented that this would work in school residencies based on the approximate contact time.

10:30 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. -- Hat Story

10:50 a.m. – Fran Stallings – A discussion on healing ecology through storytelling
Fran Stallings pointed out that many stories in common use by eco- and environmental storytellers are of the “ain’t it awful?” variety. Her example: “A Drop of Honey, lists a chain of events beginning with a drop of honey and ending with the violent overthrow of a kingdom. Often, a story of what should have been done to facilitate a desired outcome is not readily available.
Fran shared experiences of teens in despair over what is happening to the planet. They are not finding stories of hope about reversing some of the earth’s problems, including global warming, chemical pollution and other environmental disasters. She is seeing reactions like the Kubler-Ross stages of grief/terminal illness. (Denial, anger, bargaining, depression), reflective of the attitude that “there is nothing we can do about these earth-threatening problems.”
In previous retreats, a difference between other storytellers and Environmental/ Eco-storytelling has emerged. Our goal may be to motivate the listeners to action. “Surveys show that knowledge can be spread, attitudes can be changed, but behavior may not change.” Fran used the phrase: “Aware—Care—Dare,” in which “Dare” is the hard step.
Fran shared information about Eth-No-Tec’s program “Green Grow the Stories.” At the end of an assembly, the partners share four things kids could actually do. They partner with local organizations such as Audubon Society and Sierra Club to provide follow-ups and materials. Some ideas from our discussion:
• Mom can turn off the SUV while waiting for school dismissal
• Walking school busses—volunteers meet kids, picking more up along the way as they walk to school together
• Walking school bus mom could use the time to tell appropriate stories
• Pick up letter along the way to/from school
Fran stated that we cannot afford the depression/denial cycle. We need an action step. The discussion that followed included how children and adults have become disconnected from nature, seeing it only through or on a screen. Perhaps a program on urban ecology and the microorganisms that live in and on you and your home, or about urban wildlife, could help townspersons make connections with nearby nature and, by extension, nature in a wider world.
Eric spoke of comparing the wall of grief to a wall of green. There are people who, when looking at a habitat, do not see individual plants. As people begin to recognize individual plants and animals in nature, they become more emotionally linked to the individuals and to the whole habitat.
Fran commented that research on community based social values may provide insight into a gibber wedge into certain communities.
Though people may realize: “I am a part of nature,” modern people will never be as integrated as tribal people were.
Kevin Cordi suggested a pledge as part of “Aware—Dare—Care” feedback: “Here’s my challenge to you: take this pledge__________________.” With every story there’s a responsibility behind it and in front of it. Follow up, suggest other programs (by other storytellers/presenters.)
Another participant (Reesa?) pointed out that the stages of coming to terms with loss are not linear, that they can manifest in any order and last different periods of time, or overlap. Young professionals working with preschool kids find that kids are in “cages”, intimidated, and that teachers emphasize safety to the point of ludicrousness – “don’t touch dandelions!” Noted that a teacher became seriously ill from handling a used diaper. Referred to Vivian Paley (recipient/founder?) Genius Grant, and to books about systems thinking. When trying to deal with corporations that get bogged down when negotiating between opposing views, the facilitator needs to keep asking questions to clarify understanding and find a small point of concurrence.
Our audience may be made of people or groups that each have a different “take” on the story. Her (Fran? Reesa) challenge is to find YOUR story about the issue. Steven Demings (?) used storytelling to change the World Bank. The story was 20 seconds long. It was short, true, hand an emotional component and included key facts and figures.
Ken said that it is important to know what your audience values.
• Children want to be good and be accepted
• Adults want to know the value of the experience
• Teens value contact with local celebrities, and need to know that we are acting on the belief that it is not too late.
The message: There IS something you can do, and it is the RIGHT thing to do.
Fran said that she has been using hero stories of things that have been done and that have worked, such as Amnesty International and environmental groups saving the lives of activists who might have become martyrs in developing countries.
She referred to Kieran Egan’s literature about emotional learning stages. (Book: The Educated Mind). Fran uses his writings in developing science stories and programs.
Hero stories, mythic, good & bad are black & white, are good for younger audiences. When older, one can apply stage theories, philosophical and ironic elements.
Reesa noted that it is important to explore what unintended consequences may be. Children may hear more, or less, than we expect.
Fran said that for elementary and upper grades, chain stories lead to understanding connections and provide a bigger picture.
Reesa acknowledged that teachers shut down storytelling by kids because they start with shooting things and death. Look at the similarities between what kids are trying to figure out and what adults are dealing with.
Fran remarked that if people are pushed (rushed) through romantic stage to ironic stage, they sometimes get locked into a rigid mindset. Referred to hero stories and stories of things, and Kendall Haven’s “Story Proof.” Also acknowledged the success of high- and middle-school teachers who costume themselves as historical scientists, and their success in reaching the teen audience. Knowing what stage of emotional development your audience is likely to be in helps you develop an appropriate program.

Noon – Lunch Sponsored, with a walk to the Garden
The garden of Eric’s family lies in the woods downslope from the house and yurt, with a grassy area of flat land surrounded by forested land. We enjoyed hearty vegetarian sandwiches and pizza donated by two Yellow Springs restaurants.

Afternoon of Saturday April 10th

2010-05-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

1:30 p.m. – Kevin Cordi, Ensemble Storytelling – Guided Inquiry
The Magic of Inquiry – Imagining to Learn by Brian Edmiston.
Kevin led a guided inquiry exercise like those used with students. He scattered a wide variety of articles, lists, and photographs relating to the coal mining industry around the floor, along with blank post-it notes. He invited us to pick up 4 or 5 papers, quickly scan them, and write a question that springs to mind on a post-it note, attach it to the paper, and turn it in to him.
We then became members of a coal mining community, wives, engineers, miners, politicians, mine owners, foremen… Kevin selected one question to start the discussion. As we took on roles of people involved in or interested in a mine accident, Kevin stepped into and out of a facilitator role in which he could provide some guidance or prompts to keep the discussion moving.
This hands-on example of guided inquiry provided insight into how it could motivate students to explore/research a historical or scientific subject far beyond a textbook’s ability to stimulate students.

2:30 p.m. – Break
2:45 p.m. – Hat Stories
Sally Crandall – Why Mosquitos Only Buzz
Fran Stallings – Beavers and Western Willow Flycatchers

Eric – Grandmother Key & the other friends (Wabanoak elder of Anishinabe -- ask Eric about this – biography on Amazon?)

Announcement by Eric:
• Everyone may post one post on the retreat blog, up to 1400 characters (300-600 words). Deadline for comments and responses will be 30 days.
• E-mail Fran to become a part of the Environmental Discussion Group
• Jonatha will send letters of thanks to the restaurants that donated food. (Eric or Jonatha, please add restaurant names here.)
• Eric expressed disappointment that several expected participants cancelled or didn’t show up. A possibility for next time he may require a $50 deposit that will be refunded to those who come.

2:50 p.m. – Janelle Reardon, Jonatha & Harold Wright (Water) and Joyce Geary – break into three groups for an hour to create themed programs from scratch then each team has 20 minutes to present a portion and concepts of their program
Janelle provided a quick review of some aspects of story/program creation.
• Taking into account Maslow’s Hierarcy of Needs as appropriate for particular audience demographics and in the context of the venue as well as within the stories & program choices
• Choosing a topic and developing a theme statement around which to build the program
• Exploring tangibles and intangibles
• Addressing different learning styles
• Conflict/crisis and resolution for each story and the program as a whole
• Defining goals and objectives (especially important for a resource or a school system)

Three groups formed to create programs based on the TOPICS: Water, Fire, Air. Each group was asked to: Describe their audience, create a theme statement, and outline a program that worked together to deliver the message of the theme statement.
• Water: Johnatha and Harold Wright & team Ken, Kathryn,
o Ocean (topic)
o Ocean, their mythic past to their unknown future (theme)
o General audience
o Goal is to inspire participants to greater knowledge of endangered oceans and their importance for our future.
o Stories/segments

Mother Turtle – Ken told a version of the Earth on Turtle’s back
European belief in sea monsters
Polynesian explorers and their navigation techniques
A story of a tragedy and how it can be turned around
Other comments, connectors:
Scientific inclusion: diversity before man’s interference as found in Galapagos Island, Darwin’s writings.
Kathryn commented on man’s inability to recognize something outside his experience: Clipper ships seen as “shadows” needing interpretation
Europeans exploiting the oceans
Kathryn, polar bear story about mother bear’s inability to return to the ice floe where she left her cubs
Jonatha – Eco-Hero story needs to be found for the topic

o Ended with choral reading of a list of ocean-related topics, such as death of coral reefs, dead zones…
• Fire: Joyce Geary and team Eric Wolf, Reesa, Kevin Cordi
o Fire (topic)
o Fire as friend, fire as foe (theme)
o Audience – 4 & 5 years old
o Goal: Helping children understand fire
o Stories/segments

Pele story (Hawaii) Eric
Snail brings Fire into the World -- Sally Crandall
Fire can start small: Cleveland Browns Practice Stadium – Kevin Cordi

Note: Discussion of fictional stories in science education emerged. Fran said: “Sometimes it works, sometimes not.” A discussion of “talking animals” and mythology, spirits, etc., was tabled for later conversation if time permitted.

• Air: Janelle Reardon and team Fran Stallings and Michael Kasony-O’Malley
o Air (topic)
o Air – the invisible gift (theme)
o Audience: General/Family
o Goal: Bring a greater understanding of the importance of clean air to the audience
o Stories/segments (with an effort to structure the stories/message in Elizabeth Ellis’ excellent pattern (ha-ha, aha, ahh, amen)

Introduction by “Snake oil Salesman” – Trying to sell air (empty hand extended), but no one wants to buy it—they can’t see it.
Gluskabe and the Wind Eagle (Bruchac & Caduto, Keepers of the Earth)
Create something that relates to Kathryn’s story of sharing breath with a horse, or Michael’s reference to a gift received from the last breath of a dying person
Just Enough Rain (praying for good crops—forgot to pray for wind)
Hero story about the clean air act (to be researched)
“Snake oil Salesman” reports to boss about his lack of customers – Boss says “That’s o.k., I decided just to give it away for free.”

5 p.m. – Dinner Break –
An excellent vegetarian chili provided by a Yellow Springs restaurant was supplemented by salad and items from the pot luck.

7 p.m. – Tecumseh Land Trust Fundraiser
Held at Antioch College (Location?)
Storytellers:
Kevin Cordi, Fran Stallings, Jonatha Wright, Harold Wright, Michael Kasony-O’Malley, Eric (Brother) Wolf, Lisa Homes, Joyce Geary, Sally Crandall, Janelle Reardon
The concert was recorded. CD’s will provide a fundraising resource for the Tecumseh Land Trust. Participating storytellers will be able to purchase them at a deep discount for their own use.

Sunday, April 11

2010-05-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

9:45 a.m. – Sally Crandall, Building a National Park storytelling program
Sally will be in residence at Homestaed National Monument (HNM) in Nebraska for two weeks, beginning next Sunday. Many national parks provide an opportunity for an artist to reside in the park. Facilities vary widely, from a cabin requiring a one or more mile “pack-in” hike to a room at a lodge. In turn, the park requires something from the artist within a year of the stay. (Go to nps.gov to explore the possibilities.)
Sally will be staying at the Homestead National Monument for two weeks. During that time, she will appear at their 12th annual storytelling festival. Her goal is to create a replicable story-related product that can be used within their park. Homestead would like to have lessons specific to their location. Settlement in the area was based on the Homestead act of 1862 during which 10% of the U.S. land area was claimed and settled. Homesteaders had to be a head of household, at least 21 years old. Homesteaders included former slaves and single women. Many were newly arrived immigrants. They were allowed five years to “prove” the land, (building a dwelling and creating an income-producing farm.) HNM staff aim at serving the curriculum needs for 4-6 grades. Sally prompted discussion with the questions: “How do I approach the area, and how do I leave behind something others can do?”
Discussion followed.
• Nancy Donoval researched and provided stories of pioneer women in a previous project.
• Other topics could be prairie animals and plants, disasters such as grasshoppers and fires. Sally, having previous experience with the disaster story of the Dayton flood of 1913, might be able to find a serious natural disaster to research and write about.
• Resa suggested that the settlers might not be able to fully understand (see) what was already there on the prairie, which to them looked like a vast nothingness.
• Sally referred to one of Sherry Norfolk’s books which included ideas for a scavenger hunt including sounds, textures, smells and other sensory prompts.
• Suggestion by ? – cooperative efforts with local historical societies, museums
• Harold suggested the possibility of transportation: Prairie Schooners, the “ships” of the great plains
• Joyce referred to the wants and needs of the homesteaders. They didn’t need a road. Instead, the later settlers followed items that were discarded by earlier travelers. Strict limits were set by those guiding the westward parties, Explore what people hid in their luggage: dolls, a toy top, a poetry book). Things thrown out included a grandfather clock, a large bureau.
• Eric proposed a class full of historical characters and scenarios. Kathryn suggested that some of the characters need not be human, but could be animals.
• Sally will be taking stories of here experiences of the ocean, the NYC area, and building on those to amplify the contrasts and similarities to life on the prairie, (i.e., “a waving ocean of grass” and seasickness which occurred on the prairie as well as the ocean.)
• Resa proposed using technology and artifacts: Google Earth maps, audio and video, artifact related to specific spots.
• Fran related that Lyn Moroney did a writer’s residency in the Colorado Mountains. The director of parks in Oklahoma worked with Territory Tellers to develop stories about the Waushetau and Black Kettle battlegrounds where Custer’s troops massacred Native women and children. Tellers there tried to interview Native folks. In another residency at a park based on springs, sound-makers used interactively by students reproduced sounds found in nature. A park ranger used those soundmakers as part of a food chain program.
• Sally said that the ideal would be to create a program where there is an introductory “talk”, then students would break up into groups and “explore,” coming up with stories based on what they have found. Resa remarked on the possibility of using “guided inquiry,” such as Kevin presented, having participants find things and attach questions that lead to discussion.
• Sally noted that there is an in-residence Education Director at the park who will be able to guide her to some degree, assuring that her work product will be utilized by HNM.

11:20 a.m. – Talking Stick Circle (as time allows)
We were given time to comment on the weekend, as a “talking stick” was passed around the circle. Remarks were universally positive, with a majority feeling that they were taking away a feeling of stimulation, motivation, and useful tools to improve their programs.

12:15 -- Short Ending Ceremony
The artistic central focal point built by participants on the first day was disassembled. Each participant removed the stone they had brought from home and the objects added to the assemblage were put back where they had been found. We wished each other well and disbanded for lunch or to head home.

Lunch
Such an abundance of food had been provided during the pot-luck and by the restaurants that many of us stayed and enjoyed another friendly meal at the Wolf household before heading home.

Note: Thanks go to Kathryn who cleaned and vacuumed the floor of the yurt after our many comings and goings had inadvertently brought in dust and dirt. We hope we left it in good condition and will be invited back.

More Photos from the Retreat....

2010-04-15T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Family that tells stories together....

Ken Oguss Fran and Gordon Stallings

Photos in this section curtsey of Ken's Camera

The Water Line down to the Garden
and the Creek that runs past the Yurt...

During discussion of ecological storytelling and hope.

Left to Right.

Resa Matlock
Fran Stallings (Facilitating)
Lisa Holmes
Sally Crandel
Jonatha Wright

During Ensemble Storytelling.
From Left to Right

Kevin Cordi (Facilitating)

Lisa Holmes
Mickeal Kasony-O'Malley
Legs of Eric Wolf?
Joyce Geary

Photos From the Retreat

2010-04-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

All photos in this post curtsey of Resa Matlock

Harold Wright

Lisa Holmes as Mother Nature (Flags are Yurt props not Lisa's). First Performance in the Yurt on Saturday morning.

Trashilla - Ecovillian

Mother Earth is in the Yurt already -

Sound and Photo Report From the Retreat...

2010-04-15T03:52:00.000-07:00

Fran Stallings shares her reaction to the retreat.

Sally Crandalll shares her reaction to the retreat.

Ken Oguss Shares his last thoughts on the retreat.

Kathleen McMillan shares her final thought on the retreat..

Joyce Geary and Janelle Reardon share some final words on the retreat..

Resa Matlock talks on what she got out of the retreat.

Quick Note of Progresses

2010-04-10T04:46:00.000-07:00

On Frday the Walks were specacular and fun. We have anice group of people here for the weekend. We had a great potluck with the Vale community and a story swap circle afterwards in the Yurt due to cold.

Yellow Springs News Runs Front Page Article...

2010-04-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

If you have not had a chance take the time to read this wonderful plug for this coming Saturday's performance!

Yellow Springs, Ohio The one and only Yellow Springs News on April 8th, 2010

Has a great picture - except I clearly should smile more!

Report on the Food

2010-04-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Potluck Planned for Friday Night at 6:30 PM - you can bring a traditional cooked meal if you live close by - here is a list of items that are good for far away folks or folks with busy lives...

Make cookies or brownies a few days before or buy cookies...
Drop by Tom's market on your way through Yellow Springs and Buy two bags of washed salad greens (in the back of the store) - bring a nice bowl from home.
Bring a gallon of apple cider or apple juice -
Buy a large container of humus and a bag of corn chips to go with it - bring a nice bowl from home.
Do Not Buy - Soda, Wine or Beer - thanks.

Saturday Morning - Breakfast on your own...

Saturday Lunch Provided by Current Cuisine 8 Veggie Sandwiches and Ha Ha Pizza with three large pies.

Saturday Dinner provided by the Sunrise Cafe (Pot of Chili) and the Underdog Cafe (Two loaves multigrain Bread.)

Sunday Morning Breakfast and Lunch are not provided.

Tecumseh Land Trust Moved to the Coretta Scott King Center on Antioch Campus

2010-04-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Coretta Scott King Center on April 10th between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. The Organizers of the Environmental Storytellers Retreat would like to thank Antioch College and the Morgan Fellows for their kind support.

Registration Extended till April 7th...

2010-04-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

Registration is extended till April 7th for interested participants...

Updated Schedule as of April 2nd

2010-03-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

Friday the 9th of April

1:00 PM - Tree Walk with George Beri the Land Manager of the Glen.

3:30 PM - Flower Walk in the North Glen.

6:30 PM Pot Luck on the Vale Commons.

Registered Attendees are invited to meet the Vale community Members.

8:00 PM – Hanging Around the Vale Commons Camp Fire telling stories.

Saturday the 10th of April

8:30 Am – Half hour opening ceremony.

9:00 AM – Acceptance of schedule.

9:15 AM - Hat Story

9:20 AM - Lisa Homes - Performance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

10:00 AM - Eric Wolf Report on Living Theater Education.

10:30 AM - Break

10:45 AM - Hat Story

10:50 AM - Fran Stallings - A Discussion on healing ecology through storytelling

Noon - Lunch Sponsored - with a walk to the Garden.

1:25 PM - Hat Story

1:30 PM - Kevin Cordi - Ensemble Storytelling

2:30 PM - Break.

2:45 PM - Hat Story

2:50 PM - Janelle Reardon, Jonatha & Harold Wright (Water) and Joyce Geary -

We break in to 3 separate groups for an hour to create themed programs from scratch then each team has 20 minutes to present a portion and concepts or their program.

5:00 PM - Dinner Break in town or maybe pizza together.

(Still Looking for a Sponsor. How about you?)

7 PM Tecumseh Land Trust Fund Raiser.

10 PM Another Fire in front of Brother Wolf's house for the dedicated.

Sunday the 11th of April

9:30 AM - Two Hat Stories

9:45 AM - Sally Crandall - Building a National Park Storytelling Program.

10:30 AM - Hat Story

10:35 AM - Talking Stick Circle - (As time Allows)

11:45 AM Short Ending Ceremony.

This is a draft schedule and may change without notice...

Carpool - List of Current Attendees... As of April 2nd

2010-03-23T07:31:00.001-07:00

Eric James Wolf - Yellow Springs, Ohio
Joyce Geary - Worthington, Ohio
Fran Stallings - Bartlesville, OK
Jonathan Swiger - Milford Ohio - No Show - No call.
Janelle Reardon - North Olmsted Ohio
Resa Matlock - Muncie, IN
Sally Crandall - Columbus, Ohio
Jonatha Wright - Yellow Springs, Ohio
Harold Wright - Yellow Springs, Ohio
Lisa Holmes - Springfield, Ohio
Kevin Cordi - Columbus, Ohio
George Hardebeck - Cincinnati, Ohio - Couldn't make it called.
Micheal Kasony-O'Malley - Columbus, Ohio
Ken Oguss - Indianapolis, IN

If your name is not on this list you do not have a spot saved. Please Register to attend the workshop.

Dr Kevin D. Cordi, with a PHD in Storytelling, joins in...

2010-03-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

In this pressing age where the needs of the environment is overshadowed by celebrity, as a storyteller I need to be aware of how I can use narratives to keep people aware of the value and urgency of protecting our land, air, and sea. I also want to learn from the many talented and educated storytellers that have done so much in this field. I have much to learn and an eager to listen.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I need to fill my resources and awareness of how narrative addresses environmental awareness and concerns. I believe story is strong advocacy and I want to learn and continue to be an advocate for social causes.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

"What if..." Using Process Drama, "Ensemble Storytelling" (Cordi, 2007) and narrative to explore the imaginative possibilities of taking care of the environment Drawing on my recent doctoral work in proces drama and what I refer to as "Ensemble Storytelling," we will engage in a fictional world together using narrative and other tools (Vygotsky, 1978) to see the "What if" worlds that could be created when we are able to actively represent environmental change . This will be achieve by achieving by creating a "living-through" (Heathcote, 1990) experience using our collective imaginations as we walk, talk, contest problems in a fictional world with an environmental concerns.. It is my hope that using our narrative imaginations in the fictional world will help us address real soultions and dialogue for the current world. This highly interactive story world will hopefully help us change our own.

Wild Walks Planned for April 9th.

2010-03-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

Meeting Locations to be distributed by email to registered attendees. Bring your Hiking shoes...

1:30 PM - Tree Walk with George Beri the Land Manager of the Glen.
4:00 PM - Flower Walk with Bill Felker Writer of Poor Will's Almanac.

6:30 PM Pot Luck on the Vale Commons - Registered Attendees are invited to meet the Vale community Members.

Sally Crandall - Columbus Historical Storyteller

2010-02-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

An eco -tellers retreat will allow opportunities for sharing ideas and stories on this topic. Everyone should come away the richer.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I may have the opportunity to be the artist-in-residence at Homestead National Park in Ne. for a two weeks in late April. My job, if I am accepted, will be to work with staff and kids to create some kind of storytelling that can continue after I leave. I'm hoping to get some ideas from the conference.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

If I had an hour, I would like to brainstorm interactive environmental storytelling ideas for my upcoming project

Tecumseh Land Trust Fundraiser Located at Antioch College

2010-02-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Tecumseh Land Trust fundraiser will be held at the Herndon Gallery on April 10th between 7 pm and 9 pm. The Organizers of the Environemntal Storytellers Retreat would like to thank Antioch College and the Morgan Fellows for their kind support. More details on the event here...

The kind folks at Antioch College for the offer to loan their sound system for the event.

Met with the Tecumseh people they promise a good turn out of over one hundred people - which is very good considering the track record in Yellow Springs with storytelling events. They are handling all the video production and recording issues. They are responsible for the set up of and take down of the chairs. I am responsible for the sound system check half hour before the performance and for making sure to the recording is set up.

Registration Opens

2010-02-01T08:18:00.001-08:00

Registration is now open - to register please use the registration page here -
http://eco-story-2010.blogspot.com/p/registration.html
or click the link in the top left hand corner of the page.

Joyce Geary - ESL Teacher and Novice Environmental Storyteller

2010-01-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

I would attend the Eco-tellers retreat for the same reason that I, as the sole ESL teacher in my districts for over 20 years, went to every ESL conference/ meeting I could to meet and visit with kindred spirits to be affirmed that my ideas were excellent, on target, respected, and appreciated and understood by others as they were by my students! Along with that plus I always learned more and more from fellow teachers/ tellers. I went to an Eco conference in Springfield, IL., some years ago and it was a wonderful experience, but haven't been able to get away to the recent retreats.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I want to meet and greet other tellers of like mind, to learn more stories and methodology, and to just absorb some of that good ol' environment. I like a combination of "formal" workshops, chatting and sharing, experiencing nature, and hearing/ sharing ideas on just what "Eco-telling" is. I've heard a variety of meanings. I want to participate more in this area of storytelling.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

What would be beneficial to me would be to share in an hour a variety of stories and story types appropriate for this area and also how to market oneself into venues that want the stories. I have some ideas but don't know if I'm heading the right direction.

Draft Schedule - Jan 1st

2010-01-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

Friday the 9th of April
Day - Secrets of the Glen.
Evening – Hanging Around the Camp Fire in the Vale telling stories
Saturday the 10th of April
8:30 Am – Half hour opening ceremony.
9:00 AM – Acceptance of schedule
9:30 AM - Lisa Homes - Performance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
10:45 AM - Fran Stallings - A Discussion on healing ecology through storytelling
Lunch Sponsored
1:30 PM - Eric Wolf Report on Living Theater Education
2:00 PM - Jonatha & Harold Wright Report and Discussion on stories and there use in Water Education.
2:45 PM - Janelle Reardon We create three themed programs from scratch.
3:30 PM - Break.
3:45 PM - Talking Stick Circle - (1 round)
Dinner Break in town or maybe pizza together. (Still Looking for a Sponsor.)
7 PM Tecumseh Land Trust Fund Raiser.
10 PM Another Fire in front of my house.
Sunday the 11th of April
9:30 AM - Mylinda Butterworth Books as Tools Eco-Fiction books
10:00 AM - Jenn Romaniszak Leads a discussion on the responsibility of storytellers.
11:30 AM Short Ending Ceremony.
This is a draft schedule and may change without notice...

Tecumseh Land Trust Fundraiser Set for the evening of 4/10/10

2009-11-22T07:22:00.000-08:00

Met with Krista Magaw, Executive Director of the Tecumseh Land Trust (TLT). We agreed that the eco-storyteller retreat would provide stories and storytellers for a benefit performance for the Land Trust on April 10th, 2010. TLT would provide audience, run ticket collection, sell refreshments and signup members during the intermission

The theme of the performance will be Stories of People and the Land. The performances will be in an olio style with nine tellers telling eight to twelve minute stories. Ticket price will be $5 per person, families for $10. The performance will be in Yellow Springs (more details later) from 7 PM to 9:30 PM on April 10th, 2010.

The performance will be recorded and Eric Wolf will produce a CD from the performances. TLT will be able to obtain the CDs at cost of printing and sell them to benefit their land preservation work. The audio editing + design work for the CD will be donated by Eric Wolf to TLT. Contributing storytellers will be able to purchase units of 25+ CD's for $3 a CD for resale on their travels. All CDs will clearly state a price of $9.95.

Performers are reminded that the storyteller must own all copyrights to the stories they tell. All storytellers will retain all copyrights to their stories. Performers will license TLT and the other performers in the set the right to sell, give away and use as they see fit the audio recording of the performance. Performers will not be asked to donate to attend the concert, but retreat participants are strongly encouraged to make a donation for a ticket.

The Tecumseh Land Trust is the most successful land trust in Ohio and has set a standard that many other land trusts aspire to reach. You can read more about them on their website www.tecumsehlandtrust.org. This event is one of several partnerships the TLT is forming to celebrate its 20th anniversary, all based on the theme "Stories of People and the Land."

To take part in the olio please call or email Eric Wolf at ericwolf2@yahoo.com The CD can only hold 80 minutes of material and it is very likely there will be more performance than room on the CD - so performing does not grant inclusion on the CD - but a refusal to be recorded does preclude you from being allowed to perform.

Feed back welcome through the comment system below.

MyLinda, book publisher, joins the retreat.

2009-11-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

Because individually we pass on what we know to the people where we live and work, but when we get together we share ideas, concepts, and passion with those who share a common thread.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

To meet others who share the need to awaken a sleeping world to eco-telling. To fill my half full cup to overflowing by rubbing shoulders with others in the field and learn from them what I do not yet know.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

Eco-tales just like my Eco-Fiction books are merely tools we use to teach others about seeing the effects of what we do and how it affects the world around us. So I would like to teach some of the tools we use for broadening the education about the environment and then open it for discussion.

More about MyLinda

International Storytelling retreat in Yellow Springs Ohio for Storytellers, environmental educator or interpretive naturalist.

2009-11-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

April 9th-11th, 2010 an eco-teller’s retreat will take place in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Interested storytellers, environmental educators and interpretive naturalists are welcome to attend.

The retreat is organized by the environmental discussion group which is a part of the National Storytelling Network. The retreat is open to any person who is currently a storyteller, environmental educator or interpretive naturalist. The retreat is hosted and organized in the Vale community by storyteller Eric Wolf. A public performance on Saturday night of the retreat is a fund raiser for a local environmental nonprofit.

Participation in the retreat is free and lunch on Saturday is provided. Presenters and participants are responsible for other meals, transportation, and for finding their own lodgings. Lodging suggestions are on the website. The retreat is limited to 25 people, including presenters. Potential presenters are welcome to email their answer s to the three questions that are listed on the blog to Eric Wolf at ericwolf2@yahoo.com by 2/01/10. Registration opens on 2/01/10 and ends 4/01/10.

Interested folks are welcome to check out http://eco-story-2010.blogspot.com/
For more information or call Eric Wolf at (937) 767-8696.

Jenn Romaniszak - Goals and intentions

2009-10-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

The exchange of ideas around a broad theme can be beneficial to a broad range of people. Nature and Environment bring to mind very different types of stories for different people. Traditional folk tellers, ecological activist tellers, and naturalist educators could learn for each others' styles and perhaps fuse it with their own. I imagine, for example, someone who tells a really good tortoise and the hare story learning to twist it a bit to inspire a new eco-consious response in the listener.

Like many others have written here, I am interested in how we tell stories relevant to current issues, without painting the world disaster-colored, or creating an enemy of someone who exists in reality. For both traditional tales meant to inspire respect or warning tales about a man-made environmental issue, it's hard to tell a story that speaks to multiple groups of people or doesn't come across as a thump on the head.

So many nature stories float out there in the ether. Simply inspiring respect for nature is good, but with so many environmental hot button issues out there, are we, who are calling ourselves "eco-tellers", not called to do something more specific? Without some degree of recognition to current events and issues, I fear many stories may just be perceived as eulogies, memorials, or memoirs for ideas whose times have passed.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I hope to be a sponge soaking up as much wisdom as there is to share. I would like to connect with other people doing similar types of work as myself, as well as those who would have relevant insight and critique as to methods.

My project, collecting stories about Mountain Top Removal, could easily have a specific enemy, and I am having a difficult time conceptualizing if/how this could be a non-partisian project. I hope come come out of the retreat with some insights to frame it better.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I would have an open dialogue about the responsibility of storytellers, and question what, if any, responsibility we have to current issues when so many stories are about the past. I would like to hear testimonies of those who have had to deal directly with the political arena or high stakes issue, with positive or negative outcomes.

Knowledge comes from the past, mistakes and victories. I personally believe (and I am sure I am not alone) storytelling is the best way to teach. There is a quote I like, it may be from George Dawes Green, I am not sure, "If everyone told their story, then we would have the truth."

Jenn Romaniszak

Lisa Homes - Intentions and Answers...

2009-10-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

By pooling our various approaches in using storytellling and theater we can advance our individual ability to educate the public on these environmental themes. By learning to be more effective performers we can making it fun and interesting for children and adults to be environmentally educated.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

To share my current work and learn more about what others are doing in environmental storytelling.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I would perform my educational plat called "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle." that I have produced and created with the support of the clark county waste management district, I would love to get feed back from the group.

Janelle Reardon concepts for the Retreat.

2009-09-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

We are scattered far and wide. Many of us work in park systems, while others are independent artists. The big events (national and regional conferences) are great, and usually provide an hour or two of environmental/ecological focus. Though I have not been able to attend past retreats, my belief is that a more focused mission provides increased benefits to those of us promoting environmental awareness and eco-friendly lifestyles while using stories as part of a larger program, or as the communications medium.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

Charging my storytelling batteries -- inspiration, relaxation, self-affirmation -- while renewing acquaintance with people whose work I admire and visiting with old friends. Give and take -- If someone can use what I have, I'll be glad to give!

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

Choose a specific topic from a list submitted by the group and brainstorm: outline a complete program, theme, target audience, activities -- down to the details (as far as we could go with it), stories, pre-and post-activities for teachers (if appropriate), and, of course, appropriate stories. We couldn't finish the exercise, of course, but could go through the basic steps for developing a brand new program.

Thanks for facilitating this, Eric.

Fran Stallings Answers - What she would do with an hour...

2009-09-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I'm still fretting that what often pass for "environmental" stories are either warm fuzzy Wonders of Nature tales, or else depressing Ain't It Awful stories of catastrophe past current and future. Therapists note that neither upbeat happy stories nor sagas of failure are as effective as "redemptive" stories which acknowledge suffering and struggle, but show a path to recovery. I think we need to develop more of those.

So I'd like to spend an hour discussing the parallels between the redemptive "healing stories" therapists find effective, and stories which might help heal humans' relationship with our planet. We could ask attendees to bring resources for developing such stories. Examples: species saved from extinction, whistleblowers finally heeded, new approaches to energy water etc conservation moving from garage invention to green-job-creating enterprises...

The Wonders tales are fine for Aware and Care levels, and mixed audiences usually appreciate more of that. The awful cautionary tales can help convince skeptics that we're in jeopardy, but too heavy a dose risks triggering revulsion and paralysis rather than action. I think redemptive tales may be the best models for action (Dare).

Harold Wright plans for the retreat.

2009-09-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

1) Why do a an eco-tellers retreat? (Big Picture)

To explore ideas with other storytellers involved in environmental concerns, and how we, as tellers, can reach more people.

2) What is your intention for the retreat? (Personal Focus)

Mostly to learn and listen. But I will be happy to share in any brainstorming sessions.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I would be happy to share (with Jonatha) a summary our storytelling successes, especially in the area concerning Ohio waters. We tell stories involving The Ohio River, the Great Lakes, the wetlands like the Great Black Swamp, local rivers and creeks, all kinds of lakes (natural and man made), the 19th century canal system, the great flood of 1913, and the solutions to the Miami Valley flooding completed by Arthur Morgan, who later became President of Antioch college. We also have some cute stories about frogs and fish.

We did present this to the group of Eco Storytellers who where at the 2007 Eco Retreat at the Shaw Aboretum west of St. Louis. The program has grown since that time, and entered new water topics.

Harold Wright of http://www.jonathaandharold.com

Jonatha Wright on the event...

2009-09-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

1) Why do a an eco-tellers retreat? (Big Picture)

Keeping the dialog alive via story, an easier 'pill' (message) to take than the naked truth, is more critical each day as our Earth suffers from our constant abuse. Perhaps we can change minds toward a movement to take care of Mother Earth, one story at a time, one storyteller at a time, one listener at a time....

This is a chance for Eco minded storytellers to regroup, energize, renew and brainstorm about a more healthy future.

2) What is your intention for the retreat? (Personal Focus)

To share ideas to help me focus on my personal best plan that can make a difference, however small, in the years ahead.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

Participate in a dialog of past and current successes in youth education in ecology efforts, with the goal of capitalizing on the positive: what reaches the youth, what have youth ecologists been doing, how do the youth see their path to a healthy future. and such.

Eric Wolf Answers the question - Why we gather....

2009-09-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

Storytelling is the most effective form of communication available to environmentalists. As environmental storytellers we have a lot of work cut out for us and we can not hope to achieve any level of success without mutual aid and support.

My intention for this weekend is to support all attendees in their passion and pursuit of place based, ecology inspired or earth balanced storytelling. I am very excited about this upcoming weekend. I am most likely going to share three things.

1) Learning Earth Theater - Sharing the ideas behind a unique form of interactive environmental activist education I have been working on for years.
2) Medicine Stories Work and Life - Native elder and storyteller.
3) Setting up a recording session for a donation CD for a local environmental nonprofit say the Tecumseh Land Trust..

In addition I will post back here with future draft schedules of events.

2009 Environmental Storytellers Retreat

2009-04-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

March 13-15, 2009
summary submitted by Shelby Smith & Fran Stallings
Location: Cherapa Retreat Center c/o Tipi Tellers, PO Box 101, Spurger, TX 77660 in Big Thicket National Preserve
Despite cold, rainy weather, the 2009 Eco-Tellers Retreat proved to be all that was expected and more. It was hosted at Cherapa in Spurger, Texas, by Tipi Tellers Shelby Smith, Tsagoi Jennings, and Jaye Mclaughlin.

Reba and Granville Ott, relative newcomers to the eco-telling group having been introduced at the Gatlinburg NSN Conference, arrived from Austin TX. Fran and Gordon Stallings drove in the pouring rain from Bartlesville OK. These seven hard-core eco-tellers decided to take advantage of the small group. They began Friday night by getting reacquainted, catching up, and planning goals and objectives for their time together.

At Saturday morning breakfast they discussed true-life eco-hero tales that could be crafted for telling, such as Giraffe Heroes http://www.giraffe.org/. At 10am a Big Thicket National Preserve Ranger donated her time to give the group a tour of Cherapa, the twenty acres hugging the official Big Thicket Preserve along the Neches Rive. Donning rubber boots and rain gear, they tromped out through the fields and woods, almost immediately coming upon the highway intersections of the leaf cutter ants. While marveling at the immensity of the ants and their burdens, they almost stepped on a coral snake who was so cold in the drizzle that he couldn’t move. The tour included blooming dogwoods and a toothache tree (Southern prickly ash, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)in the woods, and the white sand bars of the Neches River. In the swamp, they visited the Storytelling Tree, a towering cypress with an opening at the bottom large enough to hold five people. Hundreds of cypress knees gathered around at its feet like rapt listeners. Along the way, the ranger pointed out flora and fauna found in the Big Thicket. In 2001 the American Bird Conservancy designated Big Thicket National Preserve a Globally Important Bird Area. The preserve is 97,500 acres and was designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 1981. This protected area will provide a standard for measuring human impact on the environment.

After lunch, Fran gave the group a quick preview of the Stealth Eco-telling workshop she will present at the Northlands conference in Appleton, WI in late April. She discussed ways that non-nature stories can be interpreted and understood in support of environmental principles. For example, stories of unintended consequences demonstrate that "everything is connected." Following this discussion, they organized an Earth Stories Concert for the evening. Tipi Tellers had planned to hold the concert in one of their tipis, but in consideration of the cold rainy weather and the comfort of the guests, they decided in favor of a blazing fire indoors. During supper, they viewed a short video that Texas Parks and Wildlife had produced about the small Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve to which the evening's donations would go.
As arriving guests hugged, laughed and talked, the atmosphere was one of warmth and kinship.

The Earth Stories Concert began with Shelby's welcome and Fran's invocation of the starlight in the firelight: the light energy of our star Sol, stored in the wood, is released in flames. She then told Judy Nichols' story of "Pecos Bill and the Prairie-size Rainbow" revealing how wildflowers came to be. Granville Ott followed, recounting a very special young man he took to the Scout hike at Philmont. Reba Ott entertained everyone with a lovely rendition of "All Things Connected” a folktale from Zaire in Pleasant DeSpain’s Eleven Nature Tales. Tsagoi related an experience he once had in nature, teaching him that although the Earth has been ill used, our Mother remains compassionate and capable of healing itself and us. Jaye described the fascinating life and dedication of one of the first conservationists, John Muir. Shelby then introduced a living environmentalist, our guest of honor, 84 -year old Geraldine Watson of the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. She explained that Geraldine is a true hero working against all odds to preserve a piece of nature that she loves dearly. Geraldine expressed her gratitude for everyone’s support and attendance at the concert. After Fran closed the concert with Dave Carter's song “Gentle Arms of Eden”, the Big Thicket Storytelling Circle served refreshments and collected $125 in donations for the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. Laughter, talking and informal storytelling continued until 11:00 when Shelby finally had to ask the last diehards to leave so that the storytellers could rest up for the rest of the retreat.

On Sunday, the tellers rose to a pancake breakfast and immediately began working. Jaye handed out her extremely thorough report on grants: where to find information on applying, how to prepare a request for financial aid, and guidelines for collaboration. Shelby brought the group up to date on “educator-ese” and how to translate it. Fran supplied some of Oklahoma’s state science standards with which she had been grappling. Shelby explained how the testing system operates and how the teachers are charged with teaching the standards. These subjects will help Eco-tellers get work in schools strapped for funds.
The group then ate a quick bite of lunch and whisked themselves off to the Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve for a somewhat soggy tour. The carnivorous pitcher plants (Saracenia alata) were blooming in abundance and Fran just had to see them! Larry Williams, the preserve manager and a storyteller in his own right, made a special trip to the preserve to give the tellers an individualized tour of the unique flora. The outing began in the Watson studio stuffed with her paintings of the animals, plants and the human scenarios which had been common in the Big Thicket when she was a young girl. The eco-tellers then hiked through almost all the biomes offered in the Big Thicket, on a small scale. They walked through slope forest, swamp Reba and Granville had to begin their journey back to Austin at this point and they shared hugs all around before they left. At the end of the trail, Geraldine was waiting in the multilevel A-frame house she had built with her own hands on the preserve. The tiny house has four levels, including a root cellar backed up to a cistern, and a wood stove whose indoor woodpile is home to her rat snake. She explained that the ancient Greeks welcomed snakes in their houses, believing them to go down into the underworld and report on the behavior of the occupants. She hoped that the report on her would be a good one. Geraldine also showed them her most recent paintings and the shelves that she was installing for her many books.
To chase the chill of the drizzle, the remaining group stopped by the home of a couple from the concert the night before. Tori and John had a fire in the fireplace and coffee, tea and wine at the ready. Again they laughed until they cried sharing stories and a tour of their artistic and wacky house. They create displays for natural history museums and their house is like stepping into one of their projects, only all mixed together!

Back at Cherapa they ate supper, told more stories and critiqued each other's tales around a glowing fire before agreeing somewhat grudgingly that they needed to sleep sometime.

After breakfast on Monday, Fran told one last story before she and Gordon packed up their Prius and moved on to the next adventure. Jaye stayed behind to help Shelby and Tsagoi tidy up and work on tipi poles before heading back to Fort Worth herself.
Everyone agreed that this retreat renewed their purpose and energy, produced momentum and resolve and provided much needed networking, resources and information to tackle the coming year.
Posted with Permission from Fran Stallings Storytelling Website

2008 Environmental Storytellers' Retreat

2009-04-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

Report on the 2008 Environmental Storytellers' Retreat summary submitted by Fran Stallings
(NOTE: the 2008 retreat was originally scheduled for Friday 2/22-Sunday 2/24 at Shaw Nature Reserve in Pacific MO, but severe winter weather forced a one-day delay and motel accomodations instead. Thanks to everyone's flexibility, all turned out well.)
Saturday Feb 23

Once all twelve retreaters had arrived safely, we held an introduction circle and then heard presentations about successful environmental storytelling projects. Our circle included veteran environmental tellers, experienced tellers who want to address environmental issues, and a beginner whose connection we still can't explain, but who finished the weekend determined to jump in with both feet.

Larry and Marilyn Kinsella told about recreating the "wood henge" of strategically located redcedar poles at Cahokia Mounds east of St Louis; solstice and equinox stories; and rediscovering the uses of stone blades by hands-on experiments. Gary Schimmelpfenig reviewed a project of native plant restoration at Forest Park with "The Giving Tree" performed by Gale and boys, including a new ending about giving back. A motel can feel like you are anywhere and nowhere, but these presentations, with fine PowerPoint pictures, helped us to feel WHERE we had come.

We then carpooled to Michelle's Cafe in Eureka MO for a buffet and story concert. Sue Hinkel (representing our cosponsor MO-TELL) and Gale Portman (our local organizer) set up a sound system for three sets of tellers, with dessert and coffee in the breaks. Stories were told by retreat attendees plus our afternoon speakers. The energy of this audience was wonderful! We could almost have flown back to our motel.
Sunday Feb 24

When we had carpooled through the snowy countryside to Shaw Nature Reserve http://www.shawnature.org/ for the day, we saw why it would have been wonderful for the whole retreat. Shaw staff had started a fire in the Assembly Center's stone fireplace. Light reflected off the snow into the center's wide windows, no electricity needed. We set up long tables to display books and resources we had brought to recommend to each other (annotated lists will be posted online). Gale set out a bounty of snacks to keep us going, and we settled into a day of intense discussion about environmental storytelling.

The Tipi Tellers (Jaye McLaughlin, Shelby Smith, and Tsagoi) from Texas described the programs they do at schools, pitching one or more huge tipis to "bring a field trip to your campus" creating intimacy, offering an alternate learning style through stories, and making a difference in student attitudes toward nature and each other. Tsagoi, "a recovering mental health professional," said that he also leads weekend retreats for teens and tells "Stories for a Change" for adults. They provide educators with lists of suggested follow-up activities and study guides to reinforce their programs' messages about Respect, Native American culture, and Ecology. They also work through the Texas Touring Roster and Arts Partners, but the cost of bringing in three tellers can be a problem (especially with the great distances in Texas).

During our informal discussions, I introduced my coinage "Aware Care Dare" which I originally composed in the context of Character Education stories and now use with environmental telling: our stories can inform (Aware) and touch hearts (Care), but we also hope that listeners will Dare to change their behaviors even if peers think that's dorky.

This lead to a discussion of Doug McKensie-Mohr's research in "Community-Based Social Marketing" http://www.cbsm.com/. Dr MM has found that information and attitude-change alone do not guarantee behavior changes! In (my) other words, Aware and Care are not enough; but he reports on actions local environmental groups have tried to help people Dare to change their behaviors. I don't know of any CBSM projects using storytelling for the first two steps, but some of us might want to try partnering with local eco groups for the follow-through.

After lunch (during which several retreaters experimented with paperfolding Butterfly Balls to climax a performance--summer library theme is insects! http://www.spitenet.com/origami/ButterflyBall-v.shtml ), some stayed in for a nap while others took a snowy hike with Gale, a veteran guide at Shaw. We saw animal and bird tracks in the snow and visited several biomes in this extraordinary site, which many vowed to revisit when the tallgrass is high (over our heads, judging by the still-standing stalks). During a stop in a high viewing tower, Gale explained how she tells students that the sweet rising sap is "baby food" for the tiny leaves in tree buds.

Our afternoon program featured Jonatha and Harold Wright's programs for 4th graders at a Children's Water Festival in Ohio. In a unique tandem style, Jonatha presented science background interspersed with Harold's historical vignettes of Ohio's Black Swamp and the tragic Dayton Flood, his own boyhood experiences, and experiences in the modern environment. They added suggestions for things a 4th grader can DO to protect water resources. Many of us were inspired by this versatile tandem format for compressing lots of information into an appealing program.

This program triggered more discussion of ways to inspire listeners and convey information through story. We hope to collect information about other colleagues who are telling environmental stories or working with local groups and agencies to go beyond Aware and Care, to Dare.

Two of our weekend retreaters had to depart after supper, but stayed with us in spirit as the remaining ten gathered around a table in the motel to reflect, evaluate, and plan for next time after we swapped some more stories and songs. We discussed the difference between "Environmental Storytelling" (informative andsometimes inspiring, but not controversial) and "Ecotelling" (with intent to motivate change). In other words, Ecotelling is not just an abbreviation for Environmental Storytelling.We had an intense discussion of whether we should call ourselves Ecotellers. Not all were comfortable with the advocacy angle--until Sycamore pointed out that HSA members are committed to healing, and YES members want to see their students learn via storytelling. We decided we want to advocate for change too. We are EcoTellers.

Participants were well satisfied with the retreat. Our goals were met: we had overcome our isolation by getting together to share ideas, resources, possibilities of funding, materials and inspiration. Many got ideas for new types of stories and new formats for presenting them.

Somehow we need to hook the program into school curriculum. Shelby and Sycamore, who are familiar with the language of education, will research the national standards from which all State education standards are taken and will translate the standards into language we could each use when working with teachers, to show where eco-telling fits into their curriculum needs.

Fran mentioned that at the 2004 Conference there was an Environmental Storytelling pre-conference but it had no effect on the conference itself. We discussed EthNohTek's plan to end each Green Grow the Stories performance by suggesting 3 things listeners can do to join the solution and help. This inspired us to develop a Consciousness Statement that we wanted to offer from our retreat, giving the 2008 NSN conference attendees 3 simple things they could do:
1.Bring your own re-usable coffee mug (or refillable water bottle).
2.Recycle your name tag holder from last year and if you have more, bring one for a friend
3.Carry in, Carry out: take your owngarbage home to recycle, if facilities are not offered at conference (but we hope they will be).
AWARE CARE DARE We will print a sticker, a three-lobed sycamore leaf carrying the words "AWARE, CARE, DARE " as asymbol of committing to become AWARE of thefacts, CARE enough about Mother Earth and DARE to take an action. People could put this sticker on the paper label inside their name tag holders. And Jaye volunteered to bring a box of reusable mugs for those that do not bring their own, asking to put it by the registration table.
For 2009:

Shelby and Tsagoi offered their place in Southeast TX (Cherapa) for the next EcoTellers retreat, dates either March, 6-8 or 13-15. Shelby says the daffodils, peach and pear trees were already blooming in Cheropa in late February!
Topics suggested for 09:
o Evaluate good and bad examples of storieswhich are offered for eco-telling
o Find sources of funding and networking tosupport community-based social marketing efforts
o Build several new "hero" tales together
o Sweat lodge
o Help with "translating"educational jargon
o Be ready to publicize the event in advance, and afterwards
o Provide time to be out in nature
o Offer: arrive early and/or stay late.
We gathered in a closing circle and were dismissed with a prayer from Gale and a one-word summary from everyone else.
Monday February 25

We drove off with plenty to talk and think about, under sunny skies with only a few patches of snow to remind us of Friday's storm. Texas weather may be much more predictable!
Taken from Fran Stallings storyteller Webiste

Welcome!!

2009-04-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

We are the eco-storytellers and story lovers who will be coming to Yellow Springs, Ohio located near Dayton, Ohio in the Miami Valley. We will be meeting the 2nd weekend of April and you're welcome to attended - fees may be charged at a latter date. Check back here for details.