The sun is FINALLY out in Houston, so returning to these pictures felt right today.
About three or four weeks ago I took at a quick break and dove into the Arboretum for respite from emails and other administrative horrors. Still in the throes of a multi-, multi-million dollar renovation, I began to notice the park had put a few new information stands up.
I normally don’t pay these much mind, but walking out toward the exit I passed one so decided to pop in.
Doing something like this has to be a delicate dance when talking natural spaces. On the one hand, I’m there to immerse myself in obstructed nature (as much as one can inside the 4th largest city).
But in doing so the Houston Arboretum reiterates that the work we do is all for naught if we’re not educating in a way that is impactful.
I’d imagine it’s easy for people to pop into the beautiful natural space of the Arboretum, but abstract themselves once they’re out. Treating mother earth like trash the moment they exit the gates.
Knowing this, the information stands don’t just blather on about tadpoles; which is what I fully expected. Instead, they invite you to become a participant in the environment.
As a result, I (Ms. I Don’t Touch Dirt) found myself bent over and gently moving blades of grass to see what was there.
Next thing I knew, I found myself crouched Jack Hannah style engaging in a way I’ve never thought to engage before. More importantly, I saw myself as PART of what was going on in that natural space; not just looking at and admiring it.
So, at this point I’m walking around the stand pretty impressed, and then there was this last panel. That actually made me gasp out loud (and illicit concerned looks from the folks walking past). Not only did the stand have entertaining facts…it actually promoted mindfulness! Encouraging readers to take a moment and really sit with all that was happening in front of them.
Be still my heart.
Do You Engage When You Educate?
This experience got me to thinking, we all pay lip service to education in our work. From social services to art to law. We talk about the need to educate and probably do a little education ourselves. But how many of us are creating a space where people feel as if they’re part of the experience and EDUCATE THEMSELVES?
This visit was a great master class in taking people who might be mere sympathizers, to supporters, to evangelizers, into catalysts. I can absolutely say I’ve engaged differently, and invested differently, since this day at the “park.” What could have been a fairly innocuous experience shifted me in ways I didn’t expect.
Try it Out Yourself
I encourage each of us to sit and think of ways we might actively engage and build interest in the work we’re doing. The arboretum took me from being a walker to an amateur environmentalist for a day. I’ve actually been looking at ways I can duplicate this type of experience in my own work.
What are ways you can make your work more experiential and inclusive?
Risk, of course, is something to look at, and usually makes board members a tad nervous. But there are ways to mitigate risk through facilitation, virtual reality, and making compromises with the facilities that can help all of that.
Oh, and of course if you’re in Houston and haven’t been by the Arboretum lately GO.