Relationships Across Difference: Nature as our Guide

Relationships Across Difference:
A Conversation Series with Fran Stoddard
Free & open to the public | Donations gratefully accepted at the door

Nature as our Guide | March 21 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Shelburne Museum, Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education
6000 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, VT 05482

Join moderator Fran Stoddard, Vermont PBS producer/host, for a provocative three-part series exploring relationships across difference. Distinguished guests will discuss difference from diverse perspectives and how engagement with the natural world, each other, and diverse spiritual traditions may bridge the divide. The series is a collaboration between All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Pierson Library, Shelburne Farms, and Shelburne Museum. Supported in part by the Vermont Humanities Council, with media sponsorship from RETN Vermont, Channel 16.

In conjunction with Shelburne Museum’s special exhibition In the Garden (open March 17-August 26).

The evening’s guests include Duncan Murdoch, host of forest walks throughout the state with his organization, Nature Connection Guide, artist; and Steven Parker owner and manager of High Reach Farm, a diversified tree farm in Danville, VT.

Duncan Murdoch grew up on the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain in rural Vermont where his deep connection to Nature was formed. After receiving Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Certification from the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, he began his official practice in New York City by guiding the first Forest Bathing groups through the Loch Trail in Central Park. After creating NYC’s first Shinrin-Yoku trail on Randall’s Island, he moved back to Vermont where he now hosts walks throughout the state with his organization, Nature Connection Guide.

Steve Parker is the owner and manager of High Reach Farm, a diversified tree farm in Danville, VT. Steve has been working on sustainable land and forestry practices since 1976 when he returned to Vermont to manage the family farm. Steve and his wife Susan created a series of trainings on the relationship between nature, conflict and community which were sponsored by the Orton Foundation. Out of this work Steve refined his thinking and writing on the subject and has done numerous presentations and trainings. High Reach Farm is managed with pesticide and herbicide free practices and is known for its beautiful landscaping stock and Christmas trees Steve was on the Danville Select Board eleven years, six of which he was chair and then was Town Administrator for two years.