EARTH WALK
According to The World Bank, Our Earth provides $4Trillion in life support services each year.
Early Washoe People’s survival depended upon this support with continual observation, respect and stewardship. They also shared gratitude for the abundance, movement and stillness of a watershed they still call home.
“Ha-lung-gnah wah leh-iw lay-ee Wa-shih-sh-iw” translation:”We are still here”…Melba Rakow, a Washoe Elder
Our Earth Walk (EW), adopts principles of Washoe stewardship, along with the Forest Bathing system from Japan called Shin Rin Yoku
http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html. Basically soaking in nature at a slow, intentional pace. As you slow down to smell the rocks, feel the wind, listen to the trees and try to determine the shape of water, sounds have new meaning, wildlife begins to move (when you don’t) and colors convey their distinct harmonies.
Sustainable Tahoe is facilitating the emergence of ‘Earth Walks’ (EW) throughout the Washoe Territory. The vision is to connect 10,000 years of
stewardship to the Tahoe Visitor Menu, with a mindful and playful immersion with nature. Tahoe cannot afford visitors who do not embrace stewardship at some level. Making it fun to connect, will provide a deeper sense of place for the Tahoe traveler, while shifting behavior toward active stewardship.
Each EW location will host a native Galis Dungal (Washoe shelter) near a loop trail (mile or less) of unique terrain. Parking, bathrooms and a
docent on-hand is helpful in orienting the traveler and making it possible for the sites to also host specific events (storytelling, medicine plant
walks, moccasin making, etc., coordinated with an online calendar).
Creating an EW site involves:
Creating sustainable adventures that inspire visitors to adopt principles of stewardship will help preserve our precious water for all days now and when. If you would like to help us locate and develop sites...participate, support, sponsor, distribute or receive guide books…contact: sustaintahoe@gmail.com
Early Washoe People’s survival depended upon this support with continual observation, respect and stewardship. They also shared gratitude for the abundance, movement and stillness of a watershed they still call home.
“Ha-lung-gnah wah leh-iw lay-ee Wa-shih-sh-iw” translation:”We are still here”…Melba Rakow, a Washoe Elder
Our Earth Walk (EW), adopts principles of Washoe stewardship, along with the Forest Bathing system from Japan called Shin Rin Yoku
http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html. Basically soaking in nature at a slow, intentional pace. As you slow down to smell the rocks, feel the wind, listen to the trees and try to determine the shape of water, sounds have new meaning, wildlife begins to move (when you don’t) and colors convey their distinct harmonies.
Sustainable Tahoe is facilitating the emergence of ‘Earth Walks’ (EW) throughout the Washoe Territory. The vision is to connect 10,000 years of
stewardship to the Tahoe Visitor Menu, with a mindful and playful immersion with nature. Tahoe cannot afford visitors who do not embrace stewardship at some level. Making it fun to connect, will provide a deeper sense of place for the Tahoe traveler, while shifting behavior toward active stewardship.
Each EW location will host a native Galis Dungal (Washoe shelter) near a loop trail (mile or less) of unique terrain. Parking, bathrooms and a
docent on-hand is helpful in orienting the traveler and making it possible for the sites to also host specific events (storytelling, medicine plant
walks, moccasin making, etc., coordinated with an online calendar).
Creating an EW site involves:
- Site Assessment: location, logistics, trail scouting
- Facilitation: people to create the adventure
- Construction: design, materials, transport
- Booklet: guidelines and activity directive
- Signage: trail markers and Washoe Galis Dungal interpretation sign
- Publication of Guide Book: layout, illustration, printing, etc.
- Create and manage an ongoing online Calendar of Events at each location
- Promotion: Social Media marketing
- Maintenance: security camera, upkeep, updates
Creating sustainable adventures that inspire visitors to adopt principles of stewardship will help preserve our precious water for all days now and when. If you would like to help us locate and develop sites...participate, support, sponsor, distribute or receive guide books…contact: sustaintahoe@gmail.com
