New Partnerships Bring New Programs!
Elevation Science is so excited to unveil two new programs coming in the Summer of 2024 and we want to tell you about our amazing partnerships that are making this happen.
First, the programs:
July 21st-27th : Beartooth Master Naturalist Certification Course
We’ve joined forces with Drew Lefebvre at Turnstone Nature Education to bring you a brand new, one-of-a-kind Master Naturalist Certification opportunity, adding our paleontology and geology know-how to an already amazing course in the world’s most beautiful outdoor classroom.
In this intensive week-long experience, we will focus on developing participants’ skills to read and interpret landscapes, both past and present. Throughout the week, participants will cultivate an ability to accurately interpret and understand the plants and animals, both ancient and modern, whose presence tells the story of our landscape. We’ll be exploring the biogeography, fire ecology, plants & flowers, geology & paleontology, birds, insects, and mammals that make up this incredible part of the world. The week culminates in a final exam to officially achieve Master Naturalist status.
Read more about being a Master Naturalist here.
Read more about our course offering here.
September 3rd-8th: Awareness & Awe: a mindful approach to nature and science
It’s not unusual to find programs that marry the elements of yoga and nature together. It is unusual to find a yoga and nature program that brings in geology and paleontology to offer a unique experience that explores the ancient earth to develop a full circle appreciation of nature, old and new, while honing our yoga practice and creating a deeper perspective of our place on this incredible planet. We’re so excited to announce that, thanks to a new partnership with Aspen Leaf Yoga and Turnstone Nature Education, that is exactly what we’ve done.
Every morning will kick off with active and invigorating yoga practice, followed by outdoor workshops, classes or excursions during the day. Topics will include nature journaling, plant identification, practicing mindful nature observation, deep time and the geology of the Beartooth Pass, herbal medicine making, a visit to one of our active paleontological research sites, and more. We’ll close out the evenings with relaxing and restorative yoga, and perhaps even some meditation around the bonfire.
Read more about our program offering here
So who are the faces behind these new partnerships?
Drew Lefebvre, founder and director of Turnstone Nature Education
Drew grew up in the hemlock forests of Maine and attended college in Boston, where she studied linguistics and philosophy. In 2009 she moved to Montana for a season of wilderness trail work and has been here ever since, discovering and honing a passion for natural history education and for the ecology of Montana in particular. She has led a variety of programs for adults and children, including citizen science, trail work, backcountry education, and natural history courses. Drew also served for several years as Museum Coordinator for the Montana Natural History Center, where she developed exhibits and coordinated a wide range of programming.
Drew holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist and Master Gardener.
“I believe that everyone has a story or observation about the natural world; helping you add meaning, knowledge, and a sense of wonder to your experiences is a highlight of my work.”
Val Aerni, founder and director of Aspen Leaf Yoga
Val loves everything related to the outdoors, eating well, connecting with friends, and growing as a parent. In 2023, she completed her 300 hour yoga teacher training with Matt Giordano with an emphasis on Chromatic Yoga. Her 200 hour yoga teacher certification is through Yoga Motion under the guidance of Nancy Ruby and Martha Piersma. She has taught over 1,000 hours of yoga. In 2021 she completed a Health Coach certification through the American Council on Exercise and is a Certified Coach of Yoga Mindset Coaching through the Sangha Yoga Institute.
Val has training in trauma-informed yoga, yin yoga, and yoga nidra, otherwise known as yogic sleep. She continues to take courses as a way to grow personally and professionally. She holds a BA from the University of Vermont and a M.Ed from the University of Montana in Curriculum and Instruction.
“Yoga always shifts my energy and grounds me back to self. It gives me strength, stamina, a sense of purpose, and balance. This is the power of yoga that I love to share with others!”
Amazing people like Drew and Val paired with the incredible staff at Elevation Science have allowed for us to branch out and try new and unusual ways to bring hands-on science and paleontology to people who never dreamed they could have these kinds of experiences. These partnerships with experts in different fields than us also allow us to bring more value and a wider perspective to the community we already serve. Thank you for coming along with us on this journey and for supporting these important initiatives in citizen-science and natural sciences education.