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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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...