We enhance ecological literacy and reconciliation skills locally through inquiry-based, student-centered education and training.
Site Tours of Ecological Restoration Research at Shelburne Farms
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer 2024-2026 to school groups, organizations, and networks including site history, scientific objectives, methodology, current findings, deliverables, interdisciplinary scientific curriculum (chemistry, earth science, natural history, environmental science...) corresponding to participation orientation and time allotted. 1.5-2 hour time period suggested. If interested in scheduling a site tour email us!
Earth Repair Homeschool
for Elementary, Middle, and High School Aged Students
Registration Open for Spring 2025
We provide robust yet accessible science education to nurture earth repair understanding, ecological restoration lens honing, and practical skill development. Registration closes in mid March. Programs offered seasonally.
Curriculum incorporates nature awareness, earth science, biology, botany, chemistry, natural history, mycology, art, writing, math, and sociology, with orientation towards justice and equity. Each class involves a gratitude circle, nature awareness games and core routines, student-centered learning activities offering entry ways for students to grapple with and incorporate foundational concepts into their inherent knowing, and reflective debriefs. Homework to practice, expand upon and deepen content integration is offered each class and reviewed the following class.
Image: Middle school homeschool students figure out geologic time trajectory of life on earth (according to Western science) with a few clues given.
We provide robust yet accessible science education to nurture earth repair understanding, ecological restoration lens honing, and practical skill development. Registration closes in mid March. Programs offered seasonally.
Curriculum incorporates nature awareness, earth science, biology, botany, chemistry, natural history, mycology, art, writing, math, and sociology, with orientation towards justice and equity. Each class involves a gratitude circle, nature awareness games and core routines, student-centered learning activities offering entry ways for students to grapple with and incorporate foundational concepts into their inherent knowing, and reflective debriefs. Homework to practice, expand upon and deepen content integration is offered each class and reviewed the following class.
Image: Middle school homeschool students figure out geologic time trajectory of life on earth (according to Western science) with a few clues given.
"Jess show her care for students daily. She listens and show compassion, goes out of her way to help those who come to her, and models restorative communication. Jess has a passion for environmental stewardship and advocates for it both from a teaching & community perspective."
- Burlington Kids Core Staff Evaluation Form (February 2019)
- Burlington Kids Core Staff Evaluation Form (February 2019)
Workshops, Classes, and Programs
for Elementary, Middle, and High School Aged Children
We cover topics ranging from gardening, mycology, botany, nature awareness, orienteering, herbal medicine, earthcrafts, wilderness skills. This can be in schools, camps, day cares, educational centers, on field trips, at conferences... we are open!
Image: Jess and Elliot Cluba co-facilitate a Fun with Fungi class at the VT Winter NOFA Class in 2019.
"You really connected with some of the more vulnerable students and they will remember all the care and commitment you showed them. your vast knowledge & dedication for the environment and the many layers involved in the earth's systems is impressive and made a big impact for the children."
-Rose Wall, Site Director of CP Smith After School Program (June 2019)
Image: Jess and Elliot Cluba co-facilitate a Fun with Fungi class at the VT Winter NOFA Class in 2019.
"You really connected with some of the more vulnerable students and they will remember all the care and commitment you showed them. your vast knowledge & dedication for the environment and the many layers involved in the earth's systems is impressive and made a big impact for the children."
-Rose Wall, Site Director of CP Smith After School Program (June 2019)
Guest Lectures, Project Designs, Course
Consultations, and Curriculum Creation
for College, University Faculty & Students
We offer curriculum, projects with ongoing support, or a one time lecture on local earth repair projects, service learning opportunities, or endeavors that bring curriculum to service in the community.
Topics can include: ecological restoration, role of fungi in earth repair, mycorrhizal fungi, scientific research, permaculture, earth systems, environmental studies, natural history....
Topics can include: ecological restoration, role of fungi in earth repair, mycorrhizal fungi, scientific research, permaculture, earth systems, environmental studies, natural history....
Restoration Education & Training
for Young Adults in the Field
We offer student-centered, inqiry based curriculum and classes based on objectives, student population, location, and timing. Reach out if you would like us to offer a class, workshop, or program!
Image: VT Youth Build checks out the morphology of polypores found in nearby forests. This led into a class on the lifecycle of fungi, inoculating logs with shitake, learning about kombucha and our microbiome, and investigating the role of fungi and microbes in human and ecosystemic health.
"Jessica Rubin is an inspired educator and conservationist and I cannot speak highly enough of the projects she manages and the thoroughness and energy she brings to each collaboration. Our students have left each project with significant growth in their understanding of ecosystem restoration, identifying native and invasive species, and best practices in the science of restoration."
- Noah Kass, VT Youth Build Program Manager (November 2022)
Image: VT Youth Build checks out the morphology of polypores found in nearby forests. This led into a class on the lifecycle of fungi, inoculating logs with shitake, learning about kombucha and our microbiome, and investigating the role of fungi and microbes in human and ecosystemic health.
"Jessica Rubin is an inspired educator and conservationist and I cannot speak highly enough of the projects she manages and the thoroughness and energy she brings to each collaboration. Our students have left each project with significant growth in their understanding of ecosystem restoration, identifying native and invasive species, and best practices in the science of restoration."
- Noah Kass, VT Youth Build Program Manager (November 2022)
Talks, Lectures, and Workshops
Tailored for Your Audience
We offer a variety of tailored educational offerings on Mycology, Ecological Restoration, Research, and Earth Repair to your students, department, organization, or business.
"The content and delivery of your talk with our apprentices was excellent. You are clearly an expert in this field and are skilled at conveying your knowledge to beginners in interactive and inspiring ways."
- Katherine Elmer, UVM Adjunct in Holistic Health, Environmental and Health Sciences, UVM Health & Wellness Coach, Co-Founder of Spoonful Herbals and Railyard Apothecary
"The content and delivery of your talk with our apprentices was excellent. You are clearly an expert in this field and are skilled at conveying your knowledge to beginners in interactive and inspiring ways."
- Katherine Elmer, UVM Adjunct in Holistic Health, Environmental and Health Sciences, UVM Health & Wellness Coach, Co-Founder of Spoonful Herbals and Railyard Apothecary
Research Design or Consultation
Educational Offerings
for Community Stewardship
Group Plantings and Rewilding Projects
for Community or Private Spaces
|
Have a group, neighborhood, or family project that you would like guided into a fun, meaningful program with song, dance, poetry, art or other creative mediums? Reach out!
Images: Dancers as part of a VT Dance Alliance planted Shagbark Hickory trees in a degraded park area in ceremony to ground a water performance they offered at the edge of the lake. |
|
Educational Media
Mycorrhizae Matters: Ongoing Research around Improving Phosphorous Uptake in Buffers with Guest Jess Rubin
Growing Endemic Mycorrhizal Fungi with Regenerative Farms
Luca Kolba and Jess Rubin of MycoEvolve & UVM Plant Soil Science Department. This presentation is similar to what was shared at the 2023 NOFA VT Winter Conference.
Accessible, economically viable, and low-maintenance process of gathering and growing local, native mycorrhizae fungi for farms interested in incorporating these symbiotic collaborators into regenerative farming systems. Practical information to easily implement at home. The process and application is relevant to a wide audience, like farmers, gardeners, and earth tenders who work with perennial systems, buffers, or border sanctuaries that avoid tilling, additional chemical input, and minimal soil disturbance.
Here is a link to the guide.
Accessible, economically viable, and low-maintenance process of gathering and growing local, native mycorrhizae fungi for farms interested in incorporating these symbiotic collaborators into regenerative farming systems. Practical information to easily implement at home. The process and application is relevant to a wide audience, like farmers, gardeners, and earth tenders who work with perennial systems, buffers, or border sanctuaries that avoid tilling, additional chemical input, and minimal soil disturbance.
Here is a link to the guide.
"Invisible Structures" or "Scaffolding" Class
|
|
Permaculture Course at UVM, Jeffords; 3/21/18
This video is a snippet of the class addressing social structures in society that need to be, can be, and will be reworked to create a more equitable world. The term 'Invisible Structures' according to Dave Jacke is a jargon term that is problematic so I propose shifting the term to "Scaffolding." Students are investigating these concepts through studying the PAN educator's pledge. |
MycoEvolve in the Media
Images: Moments from a rematriation ceremony conducted in 2020 by Abenaki Clan Mothers and Elder Megeso of Alnobaiwi at a degraded area at Shelburne Farms that MycoEvolve is restoring and researching the role of mycorrhizae and native plant associations for water quality protection, pollinator habitat, and where Abenaki are beginning to harvest food, medicine and craft supplies.
