Muddy Sneakers Fall 2018 Newsletter

PATHWAYS
notes from the field
Muddy Sneakers
Fall 2018
Paul Simon makes gift to Muddy Sneakers
Muddy Sneakers is thrilled to be the North Carolina recipient of a contribution
from legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon. As part of his Homeward
Bound farewell tour, Simon awarded a gift of $25,000 to Muddy Sneakers
to grow its work of awakening in children a deeply felt connection with the
natural world.
In a letter to Muddy Sneakers, Simon explained his decision to offer gifts to
worthy causes during his tour: “In each town and city, there are so many organizations
doing great work, including the invaluable work you do. Keep it up!”
Simon, a supporter of E.O. Wilson, an American scientist often called the ‘father
of biophilia,’ played a concert in Greensboro, NC, near Durham, where
Wilson’s foundation is based. In addition to supporting the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity
Foundation, Simon wanted to contribute to educational organizations
in each state that focus on connecting people with nature. With a strong
endorsement from the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy,
Simon determined Muddy Sneakers to be a highly deserving group.
Olson shared his gratitude in a letter to Simon: “As your words have inspired
so many, it seems only fitting that your farewell tour would find you contributing
toward the inspiration of future generations through the development
of a deep appreciation for the natural world. Time in nature, like music, has
the power to heal, and as I know you understand, we have much work to do
and the time is now.”
The donation will go toward Muddy Sneakers’ continuing expansion efforts,
“This gift will guarantee more NC public school students are introduced at an
early age to the joy of learning outside,” Olson said.
Photo by Frank Ockenfels III
“
Muddy Sneakers is fun and a
learning experience outside.
You can see wild animals,
do experiments, and
all kinds of fun stuff!
”
Student at Mountain View Intermediate School
in Franklin, NC
Lights, camera … Mountainfilm!
We can’t wait to present the second year of Mountainfilm on Tour in Asheville.
The films are a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed, and inspiring
documentary films curated by the Muddy Sneakers staff from the festival
held annually in Telluride, Colorado. Join us at Highland Brewing Co. on Friday,
Nov. 16. Get your tickets now! Go to muddysneakers.org/mountainfilm2018.

INSTRUCTOR
SPOTLIGHT
Dawn Anderson
Piedmont Instructor
Creative growth spurs
renewed investment
What do you most enjoy about your
work with Muddy Sneakers?
I’ve been a mom for 30 years and a
middle school teacher for more than 17
years. Throughout it all, I have always
loved the challenge of truly engaging
a child’s curiosity and interest. When it
comes to the natural world, there is so
much to notice and wonder about! I
love helping kids move from the green
blur of nature to focus on the many
clear, fascinating, and scientific details
there are to be discovered.
What do you think makes Muddy
Sneakers a unique school partner?
Today, with such an emphasis placed on
testing results, classroom teachers face
many demands. I am overjoyed to work
for an organization that can help students
pass the test, while at the same
time engaging kids in hands-on, scientific
inquiry that stimulates their curiosity
and also brings such joy.
What is your favorite Piedmont site for
programming?
Some of my favorite spots are along the
rustic trails of the Uwharrie Mountains.
The examples of ecosystem interactions
come alive there, as do the principles
of friction, gravity, radiation, and
convection. I feel privileged to teach
science in such an inspiring outdoor
classroom with the peaceful song of
birds in the background and the smell
of pines in the air.
This school year, Muddy Sneakers enters its second decade of inspiring students,
and we do so with our strongest staff to date and under a strategic
plan focused on reaching more students, across new landscapes, while
growing sustainably. We want to thank all of you who helped us celebrate
our landmark 10th year and especially those who have stepped forward to
dream with us as we imagine the growth opportunities ahead.
In 2018-2019 we will serve a record number of students and school districts
while continuing to prove the portability of our program through expansion
in the Piedmont. With appropriate capacity and a replicable model
in place, the organization now sets its sights on what it will take to become
a statewide organization and eventually serve all corners of North Carolina.
With many developments to share, here are a few highlights:
• This summer we received a third single-year appropriation from the
NC General Assembly, but at a reduced level. Funds will go toward expanding
in each region and making preparations for a new field office.
• Plans are in place to open a third field office in the coastal region of NC
in the 2019-2020 school year.
• We will continue the growth of satellite programming, introduced last
spring, to serve more rural, high-need schools. In 2018-2019, our program
includes an expanded number of students in Robeson, Cherokee,
and Macon counties.
• We recently began a collaborative four-year longitudinal study with
our ongoing research partner, North Carolina State University. This second
phase of research will look at a variety of topics, including the lasting
impacts of Muddy Sneakers beyond fifth grade, with a focus on student
and teacher alumni of the program.
• We will soon launch a corporate and business sponsorship program.
Clearly, the adventure continues as we move into our next decade. We invite
you to join us as we make the vision of serving many more students a
reality. We look forward to having you with us as we blaze this trail!
We are on social media!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Ryan Olson, Executive Director

New staff bring professional depth
Perry Hodgkins Jones
Muddy Sneakers continues
to become an increasingly
effective and strategic organization.
Over the past year,
we have separated our home
office from the day-to-day
programming operations. As
part of that improved structure,
we brought on board
two accomplished professionals.
Carolyn Morrisroe
Allow us to introduce Development Officer Perry Hodgkins Jones
and Communications Coordinator Carolyn Morrisroe.
STUDENT INSPIRATION
An Autumn Poem
Written by Muddy Sneakers student Charlie on a September expedition
With the last view of rocky
slopes that shine
in the light so beautiful
and grand with sights worth
my eyes, yellowjackets
fighting, wasps buzzing by
A sight for my eyes
A sight for my eyes
Leaves flying through
the last day of summer
fall is tomorrow
But think about
today
for memories
happen in the
Charleston Dinner marks 11th year
An enchanting afternoon at a
gorgeous venue among friends
old and new — what more could
you ask for? Our 11th annual
Charleston Dinner in Cedar
Mountain on Aug. 26 was a delight.
Thanks to all who supported
us through the event, whether
in person or from afar. Special
thanks to children’s author Jo
Hackl, who entertained those in
attendance with a reading from
her charming new novel, “Smack
Dab in the Middle of Maybe.”
moment not
the next day or the
day before
Now is your
time.
Muddy Sneakers co-founder and board
member emeritus Aleen Steinberg, left,
greets friends at the Charleston Dinner.
SITE
SPOTLIGHT
Walnut Creek Preserve
On a land crossed by sparkling streams
and dotted with native hardwood forests
grew an opportunity for students
in Polk County to get closer to nature.
Fifteen years ago, Babs and Bob Strickland
began preserving portions of their
property in Polk County, and today almost
1,600 acres of Walnut Creek Preserve
is protected through conservation
easements held by Conserving Carolina.
They also created the Anne Elizabeth
Suratt Nature Center on the site
in honor of their 22-year-old daughter
who passed away in 1997.
The Stricklands reached out to Muddy
Sneakers through a friend, Delores
Lastinger, which led to program implementation
on the property last year.
In the 2018-2019 school year, Sunny
View Elementary, Lake Lure Classical
Academy, and Saluda Elementary are
slated to explore the wonders of Walnut
Creek Preserve.
Babs Strickland says, “Our primary goal
is to expose young people to the pleasures
of having a personal, tactile relationship
with the natural world — its
smells and sounds and feel, to arouse
their curiosity to learn about nature
and its fundamental importance to humans.”

WNC OFFICE
P.O. Box 146
Brevard, NC 28712
828-862-5560
PIEDMONT OFFICE
P.O. Box 2151
Salisbury, NC 28144
704-209-4009
Camp offers new adventures
Camp Muddy Sneakers had another great and muddy summer in the mountains!
The older campers challenged themselves with new activities
such as kayaking with Headwaters Outfitters and Green
River Adventures and river rafting with Blue Heron Whitewater,
while learning about aquatic ecosystems.
Campers had the chance to spend time getting to know
local snakes with the folks at Serpentarium Magic, and Carlton
Burke provided real wild encounters with some of our native
animals. The Sassy Goose taught campers about the breakdown of dead organic
matter and how we can harness that process and put it to use in the garden.
In another exciting development, we expanded our camp to Asheville.
We are already gearing up for another fun summer season in 2019!
Campers in summer 2018 experienced the joy of paddling the Green River.
Did you
know?
More than 1,100 species of bats
exist in the whole world and,
of those, 17 species are native
to North Carolina. Bats are extremely
helpful in keeping bug
populations in check. They can
eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes an
hour and often consume their
body weight in insects every
night. Tropical bat species help
pollinate cocoa and mango
plants. So the next time you
eat chocolate, thank the bats
for their pollinating assistance!