Ecopsychology & Natural Change Courses in 2012

Posted on January 12, 2012 by David Key

Natural Change for Facilitators
Knoydart, Scotland
24th – 31st March, 2012

This is a professional development course for those interested in facilitating groups using approaches pioneered on WWF’s Natural Change Project. Natural Change is an outdoor-based experiential programme designed to engage and support leaders for sustainability.

More information and applications…

Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme
16th April – 15th June, 2012

The Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme offers a bespoke 12 week learning opportunity for those interested in exploring ecopsychology theory. It is being offered to answer the call from many people who would like to explore ecopsychology in a structured and supported way, but who don’t have the time or resources to attend a residential course or engage with longer, formal study.

A major part of the learning process will be to help you explore how you might apply ecopsychology to your own personal and professional life. The programme may also be used to compliment your ongoing research or study in other academic or professional fields.

More information and registrations…

Ecopsychology: experiencing the ecological self
Schumacher College, Devon
May 27- June 1, 2012.

Through a series of carefully facilitated outdoor experiences and small group work, this course will help participants experience the ecological Self and ask what it really means to “reconnect with nature”.

More information and bookings…

Wild Mindfulness
Holy Isle, Scotland
26th June – 2nd July, 2012

This course takes the practice of mindfulness out of the meditation hall and into the wild. Through mindfulness practice and other contemplative work outdoors on the island, the course offers a chance to attend to our deep interconnectedness with our wider ecology. With this attention comes a renewed sense of self, and the potential to return home to ourselves as part of nature. Importantly, by means of shared reflection, we will also explore how these wild meditation experiences might inform our personal response to our current ecological crises.

More information and bookings…

 

We are planning to offer another Wild Mindfulness course in Cornwall from 24th – 30th November, 2012. Please email us if you would like to reserve a place subject to final venue and price.

We have some other very exciting new courses in the pipeline from the autumn. We’ll keep you posted once we have confirmed the details.

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News – Winter 2011

Posted on December 8, 2011 by David Key

Everything has calmed down after the launch of the Natural Change Report in September. Other than a week teaching at Schumacher College and a quick trip to Edinburgh to run a workshop with Tim Kasser and the second WWF Natural Change Project group, all is quiet until next March!

It would be great to hear from you if you’d like help with any new year programmes, would like some mentoring support, or are interested in joining the new Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme (now starting April 2012).

Or if your organisation or community would like to learn more about the Natural Change approach… book me for a workshop or presentation!

Courses

Natural Change for Facilitators, Knoydart, Scotland
24th – 31st March, 2012
This is a professional development course for those interested in facilitating groups using approaches pioneered on WWF’s Natural Change Project. Natural Change is an outdoor-based experiential programme designed to engage and support leaders for sustainability.

More information and applications…

*NEW* Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme
16th April – 15th June, 2012
The Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme offers a bespoke 12 week learning opportunity for those interested in exploring ecopsychology theory. It is being offered to answer the call from many people who would like to explore ecopsychology in a structured and supported way, but who don’t have the time or resources to attend a residential course or engage with longer, formal study.

A major part of the learning process will be to help you explore how you might apply ecopsychology to your own personal and professional life. The programme may also be used to compliment your ongoing research or study in other academic or professional fields.

Register online now…

Wild Mindfulness, Holy Isle, Scotland
26th June – 2nd July, 2012
This course takes the practice of mindfulness out of the meditation hall and into the wild. Through mindfulness practice and other contemplative work outdoors on the island, the course offers a chance to attend to our deep interconnectedness with our wider ecology. With this attention comes a renewed sense of self, and the potential to return home to ourselves as part of nature. Importantly, by means of shared reflection, we will also explore how these wild meditation experiences might inform our personal response to our current ecological crises.

Book now…

News

Ecopsychology at Schumacher College
Just in from a lovely week at Schumacher College teaching ‘Ecopsychology: a revolution at home’ with Mary-Jayne Rust. The course was the fifth fully-booked week we’ve taught at the College this year and they have asked us to teach two more programmes next year.

The first of these, ‘Ecopsychology: experiencing the ecological self’, is in May and is open for bookings…

Book now…

Natural Change Report 2011 published
The WWF ‘Natural Change: Catalysing leadership for sustainability’  report was published by WWF Scotland on September 29th. The report was launched at an event at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, where project participants talked about their experiences and how the project has influenced their leadership work in the education sector in Scotland.

Co-authored by Margaret Kerr and I, the report is available online and in print.

Download a PDF copy of the report…
Email WWF for a printed copy of the report…
View the launch event slideshow… 

Articles published in the European Journal of Ecopsychology
Margaret Kerr and I have a two-part paper published in the European Journal of Ecopsychology. The paper explores the limitations of many contemporary approaches to ecopsychology research and proposes a new approach based in Transpersonal Psychology and Deep Ecology.

Read the abstracts here…
Subscribe to the European Journal of Ecopsychology here…

BOOK: Vital Signs – Psychological Responses to Ecological Crisis
This new anthology, edited by Mary-Jayne Rust and Nick Totton, represents a significant contribution to the field of ecopsychology. Regarded by many as the contemporary European equivalent of Theodore Roszak et al’s seminal text ‘Ecopsychology: restoring the earth, healing the mind ‘ published in 1995, this new book will no doubt stimulate a whole new dialogue around ecopsychology theory and practice.

Margaret Kerr and I feel very privileged to have two chapters in the book. Chapter 5, ‘The Ecology of the Unconscious’ explores how experiences of wild places heal us and motivate us to live within the Earth’s limits. Chapter 18 gives an account of the Natural Change Project that we facilitate for WWF Scotland as an example of ecopsychology practice.

The book is published by Karnac Books and will be available on the December 16th.

Pre-order a copy now…

Have a lovely Winter Solstice!

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Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme

Posted on November 23, 2011 by David Key

The Ecopsychology Distance Learning Programme offers a bespoke 12 week distance learning opportunity for those interested in exploring ecopsychology theory.

It is being offered to answer the call from many people who would like to explore ecopsychology in a structured and supported way, but who don’t have the time or resources to attend a residential course or engage with longer, formal study.

A major part of the learning process will be to help you explore how you might apply ecopsychology to your own personal and professional life. The programme may also be used to compliment your ongoing research or study in other academic or professional fields.

More information…

Register online…

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Wild Mindfulness Retreat – June 2012

Posted on November 2, 2011 by David Key
Date:
 June 26 – July 2, 2012
Location:
 Holy Isle retreat centre
Price: £700 singles
£620 twins each
£565 dorms.
(includes full board and lodging, facilitation, group outdoor equipment and professional indemnity insurance).
Facilitators:
 Margaret Kerr & David Key.

Download a Booking Form (a deposit of £150 is required with your application).
Download our Terms & Conditions.

Through mindfulness practice and other contemplative work outdoors on Holy Isle, this course offers a chance to attend to our deep interconnectedness with our wider ecology. With this skilful attention comes a renewed sense of self, and the potential to return home to ourselves as part of nature.

Importantly, by means of shared reflection, we will also explore how these wild meditation experiences might inform our personal response to our current ecological crises.

The course will be conducted in a retreat style, with accommodation in the Holy Island centre. As much time as possible, depending on the weather and environmental conditions, will be spent outdoors. Participants will need to be comfortable walking for several hours carrying a day-pack containing spare clothes and food, etc. However, the course is not a test of endurance! The group will move gently and attentively through the island with regular and sometimes prolonged stops.

More information…

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News – Autumn 2011

Posted on October 11, 2011 by David Key

The summer was largely taken up with writing several academic papers, two book chapters and WWF’s 2011 Natural Change Project report.

I also designed several new courses. ‘Ecopsychology: a revolution at home’ with Mary-Jayne Rust will run at Schumacher College in Devon in November and ‘Wild Mindfulness’, which brings mindfulness practice out of the meditation hall and into the wild, will run with Margaret Kerr on Holy Isle in June 2012.

We’ve been blown away by the demand for our Natural Change for Facilitators courses and so Margaret and I have just scheduled another one for Spring 2012.

Oh… and there were some excellent days at the beach…!

NEWS

Natural Change Report 2011 published
The WWF ‘Natural Change: Catalysing leadership for sustainability’ report was published by WWF Scotland on September 29th. The report was launched at an event at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, where project participants talked about their experiences and how the project has influenced their leadership work in the education sector in Scotland.

Co-authored by Margaret Kerr and I, the report is available online and in print.

Download a PDF copy of the report…
Email for a printed copy of the report…
View the launch event slideshow… 

Natural Change Youth Leaders project
From the 24th-31st October four youth leaders from Scotland will be joining our Natural Change for Facilitators course in Knoydart. They will take their learning from the course back to their host organisations to explore ways the Natural Change approach can help to catalyse and support leadership for sustainability among Scotland’s young people. The project is organised by Young Scot and funded by the Big Lottery.

Two articles published in the European Journal of Ecopsychology
In November, Margaret Kerr and I will have a two-part paper published in the European Journal of Ecopsychology. The paper explores the limitations of many contemporary approaches to ecopsychology research and proposes a new approach based in Transpersonal Psychology and Deep Ecology.

Subscribe to the European Journal of Ecopsychology here…

BOOK: Vital Signs – Psychological Responses to Ecological Crisis
This new anthology, edited by Mary-Jayne Rust and Nick Totton, represents a significant contribution to the field of ecopsychology. Regarded by many as the contemporary European equivalent of Theodore Roszak et al’s seminal text ‘Ecopsychology: restoring the earth, healing the mind ‘ published in 1995, this new book will no doubt stimulate a whole new dialogue around ecopsychology theory and practice.

Margaret Kerr and I feel very privileged to have two chapters in the book. Chapter 5, ‘The Ecology of the Unconscious’ explores how experiences of wild places heal us and motivate us to live within the earth’s limits. Chapter 18 gives an account of the Natural Change Project that we facilitate for WWF Scotland as an example of ecopsychology practice.

The book is published by Karnac Books and will be available in November.

Pre-order a copy now…

COURSES

Ecopsychology: a revolution at home, at Schumacher College
28th November – 2nd December 2011

If we are to survive, we must align who we think we are with the ecological reality of what we are: our psychology must fit our ecology. To achieve this, we need a revolution in our sense of self, and in how we relate to planet earth – our home.

More information and bookings…

*NEW* Natural Change for Facilitators course, Knoydart
24th – 31st March, 2012
This is a professional development course for those interested in facilitating groups using approaches pioneered on WWF’s Natural Change Project. Natural Change is an outdoor-based experiential programme designed to engage and support leaders for sustainability.

More information and applications…

*NEW* Wild Mindfulness, June 2011 (Details coming soon…)
26th June – 2nd July, 2012
This course takes the practice of mindfulness out of the meditation hall and into the wild. Through mindfulness practice and other contemplative work outdoors on the island, the course offers a chance to attend to our deep interconnectedness with our wider ecology. With this attention comes a renewed sense of self, and the potential to return home to ourselves as part of nature. Importantly, by means of shared reflection, we will also explore how these wild meditation experiences might inform our personal response to our current ecological crises.

Register your interest…

 

 

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VIDEO: WWF Natural Change Project 2011

Posted on October 4, 2011 by David Key

This is the slideshow from the 2011 Natural Change Project report launch event held at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh on 29th September.

Download a copy of the report…

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New Natural Change Project Report Published!

Posted on September 29, 2011 by David Key

I’m very excited to announce that the WWF ‘Natural Change: Catalysing leadership for sustainability’ report was published by WWF Scotland today.

The report was launched at an event at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, where project participants talked about their experiences and how the project has influenced their leadership work in the education sector in Scotland.

Co-authored by Margaret Kerr and I, the report is available online and in print.

Download a PDF copy of the report…

Email for a printed copy of the report…

Visit the Natural Change website…

Email the report’s authors…

 

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*NEW* Natural Change for Facilitators – March 2012!

Posted on September 15, 2011 by David Key

This is a professional development course for those interested in facilitating groups using approaches pioneered on WWF’s Natural Change Project. Natural Change is an outdoor-based experiential programme designed to engage and support leaders for sustainability.

Date:
March 24th – 31st, 2011.
Location:
Doune, Knoydart (Nearest train station: Mallaig. Meeting point: “North Steps” Mallaig Harbour – transfer to/from Doune by private boat)
Price:
£895.00, six days fully residential, including boat transfers.
Facilitators:
Margaret Kerr & David Key.

More information and application details…

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Ecopsychology: a revolution at home – Schumacher College, November.

Posted on September 15, 2011 by David Key

‘If we are to survive, we must align who we think we are with the ecological reality of what we are: our psychology must fit our ecology. To achieve this, we need a revolution in our sense of self, and in how we relate to planet earth – our home.’

Bookings are open for this upcoming ecopsychology course with Mary-Jayne Rust and David Key at Schumacher College in Devon, in November 2011.

More information & bookings…

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Workshop: Ecopsychology meets Dance Therapy

Posted on September 15, 2011 by David Key

Bringing together Dance Therapy and Ecopsychology. No experience necessary.

24th September 2011 – 9.30am – 3.30pm
Buckfastleigh, South Devon, near Totnes.
£30.00 (concessions £20.00/£10.00)

For a booking form, contact email Caroline.

More information…

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Summer News 2011

Posted on July 18, 2011 by David Key

It’s been a busy time since February but now the summer is here things have calmed down. Here’s a quick round up of what I’ve been up to…

February saw the final residential for the current WWF Natural Change Project in Glen Prosen, and I spent the whole month of March teaching ecopsychology at Schumacher College in Devon. In April I went sailing before spending most of May writing up the Natural Change Project report with Margaret Kerr. In June, Margaret and I led a third Natural Change for Facilitators course in Cornwall, which was a wonderful experience.

This week I’m back at Schumacher College teaching a course called ‘Ecopsychology: experiencing the ecological self’  with Mary-Jayne Rust, before heading up to Glasgow to do some programme design work with the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, who want to bring ecopsychology to their Contemporary Performance Practice programme. I am also developing a series of one-day ‘Healing Walks’ with the National Trust in Cornwall through the summer. In the autumn I’m facilitating two courses, details below.

It does sound busy but I do have quite a few ‘gaps’ especially in August and early September. If you need a programme designed or facilitated, would like some mentoring, or want some help with a project… I’d love to hear from you! Email me.

Courses

Natural Change for Facilitators
This is a professional development course for those interested in facilitating groups using approaches pioneered on WWF’s Natural Change Project.

Date: October 24th – 31st, 2011.
Location: Doune, Knoydart (Nearest train station: Mallaig. -Transfer to/from Doune by private boat)
Price: £895.00, six days / seven nights fully residential, including boat transfers.
Facilitators: Margaret Kerr & David Key.

More information…

Ecopsychology: a revolution at home
‘If we are to survive, we must align who we think we are with the ecological reality of what we are: our psychology must fit our ecology. To achieve this, we need a revolution in our sense of self, and in how we relate to planet earth – our home.’

Date: November 28 – December 2, 2011.
Location: Schumacher College, Devon (Nearest train station: Totnes).
Price: £750.00, four days / four nights fully residential.
Facilitators: Mary-Jayne Rust & David Key.

More information…

Mentoring

I’ve recently been developing my ecopsychology mentoring service. Margaret Kerr and I have initiated a new service specifically for past participants in the Natural Change programme, which is going well. I have also started working with a few other folks not involved in Natural Change but who are seeking support to learn more about ecopsychology and find ways of applying it to their own personal and professional practice.

More information…

Have a wonderful summer…!

 

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REAL climate scientists cut the rap

Posted on July 6, 2011 by David Key

The most notable thing about climate change deniers is that none of them are also climate scientists…

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