On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Antioch University New England will return to Wright-Locke Farm for In Bloom in Massachusetts. Wright-Locke is an intriguing operating farm, backed up against a big chunk of conservation land, right-in-the-middle-of-the-north-of-Boston suburbs; but easy to access from downtown. With the collaboration of the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network, there is an excellent program line-up for this event.
The morning keynote will be given by Ashley Brailsford, Founder of Unearthing Joy in Nashville, Tennessee. Creating nature-based curriculum and programs that center diverse cultural perspectives can be challenging, but is necessary for transforming outdoor spaces into inclusive places. This keynote will share practical strategies and examples from programs that center the stories and roles of Black, Indigenous and Other People of the Global Majority in nature education. Ashley Brailsford, PhD is an early childhood educator and nature enthusiast who launched Unearthing Joy to guide the development of culturally-centered, nature-based programming for families, community groups and organizations that center the stories and contributions of Indigenous, Black and other people of the global majority. Her experiences in teaching, professorship, curriculum development and leadership in education coupled with time spent as an outdoor guide informs her programming and development process to transform outdoor spaces into inclusive places that honor culture, explore justice and unearth joy.
There are also a number of fascinating workshops and panels focusing on early childhood education and nature. Complete information may be found HERE. $125.
