Nature and Sustainability 2day workshop
Creative Environmental Education
The course was full with 12 students from 8 different nationalities: 2 from education, 3 from
arts and humanities, 1 from college of art, 4 from environmental studies and 2 from social
science. It was held in the Pishwanton Centre outside Edinburgh and was supported by the
Chaplaincy, SRS and EUSA.
Feedback from Participants
My thoughts on the 2-day workshop 'Nature and Sustainability':
Franziska Schmidt, MSc Environment, Culture and Society
As a student of 'Environment, Culture and Society' I have spent a lot of time pondering the
relationship between us humans and the natural world, and have often felt it to be a shame
that while our education stresses the need to form a more positive and respectful attitude
to the our environment, there was little opportunity to explore these claims in practice. I
felt that an opportunity to relate to nature through the senses, through creativity,
storytelling and observation would be a much-needed extension to my theoretical learnings,
and I was also curious to learn how outdoor educators use the natural world to teach
others, as it is something I'm hoping to use in my own professional practice.
I approached Associate Chaplain Ali Newell with my idea of a workshop, and thanks to her
efforts to secure funding and invite another facilitator to work with her, the event went
ahead.
The workshop consisted of the following exercises and activities:
Day 1
• introduction round and short creative exercise about the term 'sustainability' - 1h
• slowing-down walk, mindfulness in nature exercise - 1h
• lunch
• practical work on the land: harvesting birch trees and weaving fences - 1h
• solo excursion – 2h
• dinner
• sharing the story of our solo, deep listening and reflecting each other's stories -2h
• short night-time walk, experiencing the elements - 30mins
Day 2
• mindfulness in nature exercise - 10mins
• observing and describing nature – 1,5h
• using creativity and imagination to understand the natural world - 1h
• lunch
• practical work on the land: harvesting birch trees and weaving fences – 1,5h
• introduction to ecopsychology – 1h
• de-briefing and sharing of experiences - 1h
I am really glad that we did pursue this idea despite some initial difficulties because I found
the workshop an incredibly rewarding experience that I will draw inspiration from for my
future efforts in the field of sustainability and environmental awareness-raising. What has
most strongly stayed with me is firstly the experience of my solo, which turned out to be an
intense experience of bonding with the natural world, and helped me to really relate to
many of the readings about environmental philosophy and ecopsychology that I have
studied over the last year and a half. I felt like much of what I had learned in theory was
finally coming to life, and it helped me to clarify my own stance towards many of the
readings by placing it into a real-life context. Sensory experience and bodily engagement can
be wonderfully effective facilitators in learning and understanding, and I really think that
they are under-used in university teaching, especially in fields where man's relationship to
the environment is a concern.
It was enlightening for me to slow down and carefully observe nature and to let 'the other'
take centre stage. Beforehand, I was not quite sure in what way the solo would be helpful,
but I decided to be open and patient about the experience. It is hard to describe such an
intense sensory experience and inner process to others, but it will definitely be a memory to
draw on and refer to in the years to come. In the evening, we shared our solo experiences in
a round of stories, and the practice of deep listening and reflecting other's stories that our
facilitators showed us has really stayed with me. In so many of our daily interactions, our
own agenda gets into the way of really opening up to others and acknowledging what they
have to say. I hope that I can use this method more often and maybe become a better
listener and communicator through it.
Secondly (and somewhat related to my last point), it was very rewarding to observe Ali
Newell's and Roland Playle's facilitation. The methods and exercises they used, their way of
listening and phrasing practices as invitations was really helpful to witness and I hope that I
can incorporate some of it into any facilitation work I might do in the future, or even just in
discussions with others.
Thirdly, I gained a lot from the other participants and from the supportive and open
atmosphere that we enjoyed in this group. Sharing my insights and also my worries about
the environment was very strengthening and affirming, and knowing that others feel and
worry about nature in much the same way will hopefully help to sustain me in my future
work for sustainability. The workshop has established connections to other young people
interested and active in the field of sustainability in a wide variety of ways, and I do hope
that I will be able to build on this!
Apart from this, it was also great to experience such an intense group process and to
witness first-hand how our facilitators encouraged an inclusive and trusting atmosphere
between a bunch of people who did not previously know each other. Overall, this workshop
has made me want to learn more about outdoor education and facilitation!
Kati Venho, Social Policy and Economics
‘The sustainability and environmental education workshop at Pishwanton was truly an eyeopening experience. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with new people and
learn about their individual approaches to sustainability and environmental action. The
exercises facilitated finding answers to questions I had held within for some time - and it
was a good way to discover a relationship with nature that is deep but at the same time
easy and casual. This weekend definitely provided the motivation and energy to continue
with projects aimed at a more sustainable future!
Saad Malik, MSc by research in Psychology.
I feel a real sense of freshness after my trip to Pishwanton. I really enjoyed the fact that we were not
told what activities we were going to be doing because it allowed me to be more "present". I
enjoyed all the activities we did, I really did! I am not just saying that, from observing the tree, the
mindful walking, the solo, working in nature and the listening exercise and everything else, all of it
felt really great.
Also, what really surprised me was how we as a group, who did not know each other all,
were able to form and feel a deep connection with each other over such a small period. I
really felt like throughout the trip there was a very open, non-judgemental space where
everyone could express their emotions freely. This was such a delight because so many
times in daily living I tend to guard what I do or don't express and I think, perhaps, also feel
the same. So it was really nice to just express myself without fear of judgement.
I think, the trip left me with a feeling of "wholeness" and a deeper desire to cultivate
friendships with new people and re-enforce and feel gratitude for the friendships that I
already have...I don't quite know how I arrived at this, I think an aspect of it was feeling a
connection with people at the trip and also with nature and realising how much joy it
brings...On a more practical level, I have also started recycling after the trip. I am recycling
not because I "should" but rather, after feeling a connection with nature, its just something
which has happened quite organically.’
Marie Claire Bowser, BA (Hons) Performance Costume Design
''I found the two days in Pishwanton to be a fulfilling experience, for both sharing the time
with a new group of people and finding an openness between us all, as well as for the level
of understanding of our relationship with nature. As I came to the workshop as someone
who is looking to make a change in course studies into an area of sustainable practice, I
found the ecopsycology approach to be highly beneficial as it has helped me develop a
strong sense of what our 'rooted' relationship with nature is. I think this approach is
beneficial for anyone who would like to work, or live in, a sustainable environment as this
understanding should be what motivates us to change and to sustain this environment.
Remembering what the value of our nature world is, is invaluable!
The structure of the two days was interesting also. Not knowing what we would be doing
was a stimulating approach and it kept us mindful of what we were doing in the present
moment. Overall, I had a great couple of days; a very interesting and mindful experience,
lovely group dynamics, really nice setting, (both at Pishwanton and at the cottages) and
great food, I came home very refreshed!''
Fei Zhong, MSc Education
‘The activities such as walking in silence, solo meditation and walking in the windy night enabled
us to really experience and observe the nature. The sharing among members were inspiring, I
love this kind of dialogue. I had some ideas about the ecopsychology (I am quite interested in
this concept) and the outdoors environmental education. This workshop gave me a good
chance to reflect on myself and my relationship with nature. I might share what I learned in this
workshop with my friends and hope to organize such kind of activity in the near future in my
country if given the chance.’
I really enjoyed the two days away. It felt much longer than two days, we got a lot done! I
liked that it was both relaxing and super productive, we did some drawing and reflecting as
well as some fence building and tree chopping. It was great that it brought together people
doing such a variety of degrees too and I especially liked that we were able to bond over
shared meals at the cottage. Alysha Somani, Spanish and History
The facilitators were Roland Playle and Ali Newell. Roland has been involved in social and
environmental work since 1999, was part of Transition Edinburgh, and studied a Masters course at
the Schumacher College in 2008. He currently works as a facilitator for community groups / NGOs
and is creating a community forest garden in North Glasgow.
Ali Newell has been involved in exploring issues of environmental concern in the study groups she
runs at the University in her role as Associate Chaplain and through pilgrimage work over many
years. Ali and Roland are both trained as facilitators with Natural Change (an organisation using
outdoor education to catalyse social change for a fair and sustainable future).