Day 260

One of the best parts of jumping into a situation that has a lot of unknowns is the opportunity to learn. As an educator and lifelong learner, I love to learn new things. I like to say that I know a little about alot of things. Maybe one day, I'll finally become an expert in something. That being said, I sometimes feel that the more I learn about a topic, the more I realize there is so much more I still need to learn.

I felt somewhat comfortable with my understanding of geology until I joined the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Even though I lead regular jokes for kids and teach a summer hiking course aimed at the youngest generation, I still know just a tip of the glacier (get it) when it comes to what is out there. From glacial features to the intricacies of designing, building , and maintaining trail, I am barely a novice.

I know even less about native plants. To educate myself, I joined the Wild Ones! native plants organization. I could use this newfound knowledge to improve the hikes I lead and the classes I teach while also making my own nature experiences more enjoyable. Once again, the more I learned, the more I realized how little I knew. From identifying flowers to applying tips and techniques for landscaping and gardening successes, I often feel overwhelmed and underprepared.

I thought I could fill this knowledge void by becoming a member of the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE). Even though I have been fortunate enough to work my way up to being a board member, I am still in awe of the knowledge and dedication of my colleagues.

Then, having our family join 4H was sure to improve my knowledge base. Of course, when you go in with little to no knowledge, anything is an upgrade.

I’vm used my association with all the aforementioned organizations to become an expert of the land I now call home. Whether it is plant identification, trail design, and/or responsible restoration practices, I am once again finding out that the more I learn, the more I have left to learn. Luckily, I love education.