Longtime friends and graduates of many RDI and 8 Shields programs, Scott Davidson and John Brossard make a great team as trackers and mentors. They are graduates of RDNA Essentials and Native Eyes, Ecology of Leadership, Art of Mentoring, and Bird Language Intensives.

Now they are gracefully integrating practical animal tracking skills, holistic routines of awareness, as well as permaculture design principles into their teaching and leadership in our community. Read more about Scott and John in their bios.

For John, “the many years of working with nature immersion programs through RDI brought me back in touch with a fundamental life need, as well as a passion, to be and feel connected to Nature in energetic and practical ways. This period of my life really put me on track with my life vision. It has truly been a gift. When I finally participated in the Ecology of Leadership program two years ago, like a catalyst, it appropriately pulled me through my resistance to bringing my vision into reality, and suddenly I was creating what I wanted - a way to creatively facilitate nature connection for others.”

“I first came to RDI as a wild wanderer longing to save the world, looking for skills,” Scott smiles, remembering. “And now, after diving deep into a rich array of nature connection, permaculture design, inner ecology and leadership, village building and healing, guided by truly awesome teachers, now I wholeheartedly belong here, within my self, and upon the Earth, in community. I belong to these coastal hills. And I’ve been guiding others into deep connection ever since, with wild passion, purpose and play!”

John and Scott teach the Tracking & Nature Connection Series through RDI in autumn and spring. The next series begins on Saturday, Sept 24th, 2011 - click here for details and testimonials. 

This series focuses on a holistic approach to the art and science of tracking that, while skill driven, strongly cultivates a reverence and connection to nature that re-instills a sense of belonging and community, place and purpose. Scott and John believe that there is no difference between our true needs and our connection to nature - they depend on each other.

Tracking can open doors to this experience in powerful ways. “Our experience of finding and being in the presence of wildlife creates a sense of aliveness like no other. Developing relationship with local wildlife and the land in our area is what tracking is all about. And it naturally expands into more and more practical - as well as potentially mystical - ways of interacting with nature, ways of tending the land.”

In addition to teaching this series, Scott gleans organic foods in community for schools with Marin Organic while connecting kids to wild nature and thriving soils. John cultivates sustainable leadership and work culture as Personnel Manager at Good Earth Natural Foods.

“We are deeply grateful to RDI and our teachers, Jon Young, Penny, James and Christopher. For both of us, the work these great mentors offer brings us more fully into our life vision and our path of putting it into action. Our service now is to carry this vision and practice of deep nature connection forward to share this wealth with others.”

To quote Emerson, Lake & Palmer (and we paraphrase)...

Welcome all you friends, to the show that never ends
We’re so glad you could attend,
Come outside, come outside...

On the other side of glass, stands a real blade of grass
be careful as you pass.
But feel it glow and say hello!

Moving underneath, is a vole at your feet,
It’s abundant as can be
Have you seen? Know what it gleans?

There down in the creek, is a red fish, sometimes pink
It’s an indicating link
What does it mean for our streams?

Quietly you sit…, or quietly you crawl,
It’s the routine to see all
What a gift, what a prize.

Come-out-side, the show's about to start
Guar-an-teed to blow your mind and heart!
You’ve got to see the show…

It’s a dynamo…
You’ve got to see the show…
It’s just a stone’s throw…