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STUDENT CONNECTS COMMUNITY,
SELF AND NATURE WITH EARTH EMBRACE 2000 CONFERENCE
For Jessica Steele, ecopsychology is not just a major. It has been
an opportunity that has allowed her to weave her classes, previous
experiences and personal beliefs into a field of study she feels passionate
about.
As a student at Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz., Steele, from
Greene, New York, decided that she wanted to share some of what she
had learned with the surrounding community.
 Steele brought together a variety of individuals in order to enhance
the community's awareness of the physical, psychological and spiritual
connections we share with nature. The result of her efforts was "Earth
Embrace 2000: A conference connecting self, community and nature," a
free, two-day conference open to the public on April 1 and 2.
The conference was designed for both professionals and novices in
the field of ecopsychology and included two keynote addresses and thirteen
workshops on subjects including ecopsychology, dance, art, spirituality,
aboriginal skills, ecology, sustainable design, new cosmology and environmental
preservation and restoration.
"Earth Embrace was a senior project designed to integrate all
of my studies at Prescott College, including ecopsychology, environmental
studies, education, and arts and letters." said Steele.
"The conference was a way for me to connect with my community
and share a love I have for the natural world. Most importantly, the
community's support of my conference illustrated that this was a needed
forum for people to come together and celebrate themselves, their community
and the whole world system."
In addition to organizing speakers and workshop presenters, Steele
organized a slew of volunteers and local food donations, raised funds
for the conference and keynote speakers, and offered Continuing Education
Units to community members.
The successful and well-attended conference has received rave reviews
from participants. "At each session I was able to physically experience
the lessons, which added to my enjoyment and inspiration," said
Whitney Kirk, an environmental compliance specialist and part-time
ecology student from Phoenix. "I had an incredible day."
"The conference was noteworthy for both its technical professionalism
and its soulful ambiance. Jess demonstrated a style and grace as a
leader and earned the gratitude of a variety of people within the college
and larger Prescott community," said Tim Jordan, a Prescott College
faculty member in the Integrative Studies program and Steele's senior
project mentor. "Jess's overall performance in her senior project
was extraordinary and it served as both a capstone experience for her
interdisciplinary college learning and as a launching pad for her future
work in the field of ecopsychology."
Steele, who graduates in May with her bachelor's degree, plans to
continue studying ecopsychology and education through the Prescott
College Master of Arts Program. In addition, she plans to make Earth
Embrace an annual event in order to educate the community about our
relationship with the natural world.
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