My A Rocha Experience:

Reflecting on Environmental Education at A Rocha Ontario

Written by Sarah Bokma (Environmental Education Coordinator)

Edited by Madison Chafe (Communications and Administrative Coordinator)

November 2024

Picking up my kids from Nature Academy was the first time I had ever been to the Cedar Haven Eco-Centre. My children excitedly led me around the property all while exclaiming, “Mom! They have everything here!” It was true – a pond, a meadow, and forest upon forest… what more could you ask for? I remember thinking, “Wow, it would be amazing to work here someday!” Growing up on a farm I had the privilege of spending endless hours outside exploring, and raising children in the city had required more creativity when it came to creating space for outdoor exploration for my family. Nature Academy provided something I couldn’t offer at home. And my children’s experience and connection to Cedar Haven spilled over to me: I also wanted to be part of what was going on at Cedar Haven. 

And as it happened, I eventually did begin to work for A Rocha. I first worked as the Dreys Class Educator for Nature Academy, then moved into teaching nature study, and then a year and half ago I began working as the Environmental Education Coordinator. I’ve experienced what it’s like to be a parent of participants, be an educator, and to work as a member of the team, giving shape and vision to the educational work we do. 

I quickly learned that working at A Rocha would provide me with an opportunity to deepen my own learning. It was such a steep learning curve that I used to joke “Some people binge tv shows; I binge nature study!” It was true – I often stayed up late to read up on the relationship between goldenrod and asters, or the life of the red-winged black bird or dive deep into the intricacies of aquatic ecosystems. 

Yet, research alone didn’t just deepen my appreciation for creation. It’s also been rich to encounter nature alongside my co-workers. I’ve had the joy of discovering a stick bug with Jeremy (Conservation Coordinator) at the end of a long work day, watching in amazement at the uniquely camouflaged creature. I’ve experienced countless conversations interrupted by birds – one in particular with Anthony (Ontario Director) when our conversation was completely kiboshed by the magical presence of a hovering ruby-throated hummingbird. And the cries of delight alongside a fellow educator, Amy, when we made the discovery of a blue-spotted salamander in the Cedar Forest. 

And while I’ve enjoyed countless nature encounters, it’s been an absolute delight for me to foster a learning environment that gives space for others to encounter nature through inquiry and wonder. Children offer so many rich insights while encountering nature. One child observed: “The moss looks like someone wove it!!” Another child once said,“Water striders remind me of Jesus because they walk on water!” And another child later thoughtfully offered this insight,“You mean there’s a whole connected web of mycelium under the ground? There is so much going on that we can’t even see!” There are countless observations and moments that I will never forget, like children’s enthusiasm in the forest when discovering porcupine quills, or looking at stomata under the microscope. And I’ll also never forget sacred moments of joy when opening up the bird nest boxes, hoisting a child up to eye level of the box while watching their faces as they discover the quivering freshly-hatched baby blue birds, their faces just inches away from delicate new life.

In the past few months at A Rocha, much of our programming has focused around learning the ways various species get ready for the winter months. We’ve played games centered around hibernation, adaptation and migration. We’ve heard the honk of the SandHill Crane as it rests at Cedar Haven along its migratory route. We’ve discovered tiny egg sacs left by the Garden Orb-weaver spiders, and we’ve wondered if their tiny babies will survive the winter. We’ve explored Gall Fly larvae tucked away inside the tough galls of the goldenrod and we’ve wondered if they will form into flies or become food for the birds? While honeybees have disappeared and are fanning their queen bee to keep her warm, we wonder if the hive will survive and begin their cycle of making honey in the new year. 

As I anticipate the seasons changing and the coming of winter, I’m also preparing to leave my post at A Rocha as I pursue further studies in a different field. While I’m not migrating or hibernating, I’m filled with gratitude with all that I’ve gathered while working at A Rocha and I’m reflecting on all the good work that’s been done during my time. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have fostered a robust learning environment alongside other educators who are passionate about nature. I’m grateful that as a team we are able to see the impact that our work has had. I see this first hand when students carefully roll logs and rocks back “to protect the critters,” and when children gaze lovingly at a tadpole in a viewing container and choose to place it back in the pond “so it gets what it needs to survive.” I know we are doing our job well when I overhear students sharing what they’ve learned at the Cedar Haven Eco-Centre. From educating others to not hold salamanders to designing projects to protect various species on site, our students are growing into tomorrow’s environmental leaders. Through everything I have seen and experienced with A Rocha Ontario so far, I know we are fostering a deep love for creation.