Reaching adult audiences with environmental education is one of my favorite challenges as a Naturalist at Wood Lake Nature Center. Adults are often a fickle audience who are pulled in many directions, so wrangling them in for an environmental education program can be tough but not impossible. Seven years ago I created an environmental book club and after reading over 60 books it is still going strong! Each month a group of adults get together for an engaging discussion that focuses on environmental issues, nature, and outdoor adventures.
The book club model has worked because it provides an opportunity for adults to use critical thinking skills in discussing what are often complex and timely environmental issues. Frequently, presentations, guest speakers, videos, and photos enhance our discussions. Participants also have the opportunity to share their opinions, stories, and questions. The book club model has also allowed for a wide variety of issues to be explored.
Communication with participants is done through a monthly email. All books are available through the library and are regularly suggested by the group. We have read many of the classics as well as recently published books to better understand where we have been and where we are going in understanding the natural world around us.
The following are our most recent reads:
- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle By Barbara Kingsolver
- Under a Flaming Sky By Daniel James Brown
- Four Fish By Paul Greenberg
- The Wild Muir By Lee Stetson
We are starting the New Year with an older classic, Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner. For a complete list of books that have been read or questions please email Amy Markle.
Amy Markle is a Naturalist at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis.