An Urban Dive into Deep Nature Connection Practices

The old ways are new again for the many now seeking to (re)learn the skills, practices and mindsets of our ancestors – everything from our food to footwear.

It’s a movement that’s become known as ‘rewilding’; a return to a wilder or more natural, instinctive way of being. In contrast to the ‘back to the land’ movement of the 70’s, rewilding is as much urban as it is rural – wildness rather than wilderness.

Learning daily practices to ground ourselves in the rhythms of nature, and acquainting ourselves with the plants, animals, and elements of our bioregion, we can begin to cultivate deep connection with earth wisdom, ourselves and each other.

Are you ready to create time for deep connection in your life?

Rewild Fridays is an ongoing program dedicated to exploring deep nature connection practices, nature play, community building and traditional earth skills within a small group of under 12 participants.

Together we will explore and experiment with practices and activities that will serve to embed us into the land we live (yes the city!), the more-than-human-world, and each other. The goal here is connection – to self, earth and community – the pathway to a life of vision and joy.

What do we mean by Deep Nature Connection Practices?

Spending time outdoors does not necessarily cultivate a deep connection to nature. Pioneers in the field drawing on anthropological study of indigenous cultures, science, and a long hard look at the effectiveness of environmental education have found that there are core practices that quickly create strong bonds of connection between humans and nature.

Simple and repeatable practices such as tracking, bird language, sensory awareness and attuned mentorship are some of the most effective and ancient techniques that exist to enable profound connection with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. By understanding our relationships with the animals, plants, weather and wind, and various aspects of the natural environment around us, we re-pattern our brain and nervous system to activate what are known as ‘the attributes of connection’ – happiness, vitality, the ability to listen deeply, increase empathy, helpfulness, true aliveness and gratitude for life, compassion, forgiveness and the quiet mind.

What might we get up to?

Here are some of the activities we may explore. Repeated over many weeks, these practices strengthen the threads of connection until they become strong ropes of relationship.

• Sit spots
• Tracking
• Bird Language
• Mapping/Navigation
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Natural Movement & Awareness
• The Art of Wandering
• Nature Games and Play
• Nature Literacy and Ecology
• Wild Edibles and Medicinals
• Fire-by-Friction
• Natural cordage and rope
• Shelter Building
• Eco-Dye
• Hide Tanning
• Basket weaving
• Hide Tanning
• Ceremony
• Community Building
• Campfire cooking

“For me, Rewild Fridays has been an insightful and enchanting journey of both nature connection and self-discovery. Utilising a combination of traditional skills, listening, silence, stillness and enquiry, Claire and Mel have artfully guided my deepening connection to the natural world and opened my senses to a conversation I never knew existed. I will never be the same.” Seth Consedine, Father and Osteopath.

“Rewild Fridays gave me the skills, knowledge and confidence to engage with the wild places all around me. It’s not just in the national parks an hour drive from my house – the wild is in my backyard, my local park, that tree right next to the milkbar. It’s made me feel more alive.” Michelle Kovacevic, Mother and Community Organiser.

The Facilitators

Melissa Turnbull  and Claire Dunn are both passionate about nature connection and have been studying for many years with experts in the field such as Jon Young from the 8 Shields Institute. The main facilitators of the program, Mel and Claire will also invite various experts in the field such as naturalists, ecologists and skills experts to guide. Indigenous involvement is also something that will be sought (see more below).

The Details

Rewild Fridays is a regular dedicated program of study and nature adventure held on Fridays between 9.30am – 3pm over four teaching terms in parkland settings within Melbourne’s inner north. A couple of times a term we venture out of the city for a day long ‘excursion’ for immersion in a wilder landscape or during particular foraging seasons such as mushrooming in autumn.

Why is this not on a weekend?

Rather than an extra-curricular activity, this is a commitment akin to any other program of study. And besides, we like family/play time on weekends.

Dates

The term will consist of 8 dates in Feb/March:

Feb 7 – Core Routines of Nature Connection – Melissa

Feb 14 – Excursion for Coastal Foraging – Guest Facilitator Christine Rockley:

Feb 21 – Bird Language – Claire

Feb 28 – Expanding Sensory Awareness – Melissa

March 6 – Holistic Tracking Adventure – Melissa

March 13 – Plant Communication – Guest Facilitator Rosie Cooper.

March 20 – Basket weaving – Melissa

March 27 – Fire-by-friction – Claire

Registration:

5 class passes $375 waged / $350 concession

Drop-in passes: $85 waged / $75 concession

Cancellation Policy

Tickets are only valid for this term. Dates of attendance must be confirmed before term starts. Date changes within the term can be made with at least one week’s notice of the session you are cancelling. No refunds or date changes with less than a week’s notice. No refunds available. Half term passes must be booked in by the previous Friday. No refunds on drop in tickets. If you can’t attend a Friday you are booked in for, you may on-sell your pass.

We acknowledge that we will meet and learn on Wurrundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country. We acknowledge the the Kulin Nations as the First Peoples of this land. We thank them for caring for the land and the waterways and value the sharing of their knowledge and stories. We pay respects to their Elders: past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.