Spring is in the air and we can't wait to celebrate with you! This special day of training brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of hands-on sessions to choose from. 

ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. 

Note: We strive for zero waste during our events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

Who Should Attend?

This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with young children ages 2 to 8. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

Workshop Descriptions:

Spring Plant Walk

with Bodhi Vasilopoulos

Nature is abundant with food, medicine & more yet we have forgotten our ancient ways of working with the botanical and fungal relatives growing all around us. Learning about wild foods takes some time and focus but in the process we are rewarded with greater health, happiness, resilience and connection to the natural world. In this walk we will cover topics such as:

• Plant and mushroom identification
• How to harvest sustainably and prepare different wild edible foods throughout the seasons
• Basics of botany, mycology, field herbalism and medicinal preparations
• Planting & propagation techniques
• Agroforestry principles & practices
• Temperate ecology...and more!

Social Emotional Learning Through Nature

with Jason Lee

Being in Nature is naturally calming to most people. As Nature Based Educators, especially for those working in Early Childhood, it is so important to help children practice social and emotional skills that will be necessary throughout life. If planted and nurtured correctly children will grow in important skills like problem solving, emotion identification, emotional regulation, empathy and more. Come learn nature-based mindfulness and self-regulation techniques to help guide students through their ever growing emotional awareness!

Other Workshop Topics Include...

Earth Skills and Bushcraft

Student Portfolio and Documentation

...and more! 

Full workshop descriptions coming soon!

Meet Your Presenters!

Jason Lee - Director of Epiphany Preschool

Jason is a teacher, director, husband, father, and all around nature lover. He grew up in Arlington, VA with an urban landscape as his front yard and a forest as his backyard. He has been an Early Childhood Educator for over 20 years. During this time he worked in almost every teaching role there is as well as many different administrative positions. Jason began his journey into Nature-Based Education 7 years ago and during those last 7 years he has grown a greater appreciation for the magic that he'd observed in Early Childhood settings and the impact that educators can have on developing resilient well-rounded people and students of life. Jason has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Curriculum Design. Jason is also an ANBE level 2 certified Nature-Based Teacher.

Bodhi Vasilopoulos - Founder of Nature's Love and Wisdom

Bodhi is a passionate forest gardener, herbalist, naturalist, and teacher. His teaching explores the intersection of foraging, agroforestry and food systems with ecology, activism, and cultural transformation. He offers immersive, educational and transformational workshops, retreats and courses. Bodhi also helps manage Forested, a regenerative food forest farm and education center working to expand forest agriculture in DC and Maryland. With a BS in environmental science and engineering, multiple technical certifications, and a decade of experience working with the land, he applies the skills and knowledge he has acquired towards his service to life on Earth.