Exploring the Transformative Power of Nature Play
Join us April 13, 2024 at this groundbreaking symposium where we delve into the profound impact of nature-based play on childhood development. As advocates for enriching experiences, we understand that play is more than just a pastime – it's a gateway to holistic growth and a lifelong connection to our planet.
Keynote Speakers
Denisha Jones, Ph.D, J.D.
Dr. Denisha Jones is the Executive Director of Defending the Early Years. She is a former kindergarten teacher and preschool director who spent the past 20 years in teacher education. Denisha is an education justice advocate and activist working with various grassroots organizations to dismantle the neoliberal assault on public education. She is a part-time faculty member in the Art of Teaching program at Sarah Lawrence College and the School of Education at Howard University. Since 2017, she served on the steering committee for the national Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. Her first co-edited book, Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice, was published in December 2020 by Haymarket Books.
Read our interview with Dr. Jones at the link below.
José G. González
José G. González is the Founder of Latino Outdoors and Co-Founder of the Outdoorist Oath, along with a former partner at the Avarna Group. He is a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation while engaging in different artistic endeavors with art and messaging—often exploring the intersection of the environment and culture. As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focused on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator. He currently serves as the inaugural Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District. He received his B.A at the University of California, Davis, and his M.S at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. His teaching coursework was at the Bilingual, Multicultural, Education Department at Sacramento State. He serves on the boards for Parks California and Resource Media, along with being a Commissioner for the California Boating & Waterways Commission.
Read our interview with José G. González at the link below.
Schedule of events
8:30 AM
Check-in begins
9:00 AM
Welcoming Remarks
9:15 AM
KEYNOTE: Denisha Jones, PhD, JD
"Play, Nature, Liberation: How Early Childhood Care and Education Can Save the World"
Presentation and Q&A.
10:45 AM
KEYNOTE: Jose Gonzales, MS
"Healing Our Severed Connections"
Presentation and Q&A.
12:00 PM
Lunch
Boxed lunch included in in-person ticket price
1:00 PM
Break-outs & outdoor explorations
In-person only
2:30 PM
Panel presenters, moderated discussion, Q & A.
Featuring local and regional practitioners representing Nature-based, play-based early childhood education settings, grass-roots and center based, public school Greening Schoolyards initiative, and adventure-based therapeutic practices, the panel will focus on where and how the ways of play are showing up in our many communities, and consider how we might grow this interdisciplinary movement together.
4:00 PM
Closing Remarks
4:30 PM
The Ways of Play Symposium Reception
Join presenters and symposium attendees at a post-symposium reception in the Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Refreshments will be served.
Event Co-Sponsors
