In Our Nature

In Our Nature explores how environmental education and immersion into nature strengthens neighborhoods, builds career opportunities, improves mental and physical health, and allows us to reconnect with one another in a time of rising loneliness, political division, and climate uncertainty.

The environment is at the heart of everything we do. It feeds us, inspires us, and keeps our communities and economies thriving. It shapes our cultures and identities, and is where many find a sense of belonging. Through three powerful case studies — from a sustainable flower farm on Chicago's South Side to a forest school in rural Kentucky to a healing nature program for military families in San Antonio — the film reveals how connection to the natural world can bridge divides, sustain communities, and empower youth.

In Our Nature makes a clear and persuasive case that spending time in, and learning through nature offers significant benefits. Yet trends in technology, education, and culture have vastly reduced society's environmental literacy, resulting in degradation to our air, water, and soil, as well as our mental health. Additionally, those living in urban settings, having been driven there by decades of housing and economic policies, often have limited access to natural resources, creating a significant nature benefits gap relative to their suburban counterparts.

The widespread implementation of environmental education, which takes the best of outdoor learning and pairs it with proven teaching strategies in classrooms, communities, and beyond, has the capacity to address and reverse these troubling developments. Effective environmental education helps build the knowledge and skills required by functioning societies – like critical thinking and problem-solving — to take on today's pressing local, national, and global challenges. Just as important, they inspire people of all ages to get involved and work toward healthier, more connected communities. Both urgent and hopeful, In Our Nature shows why access to nature is not a luxury, but essential to what it means to be humans living in concert with one another.

FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "Part of the hope of the film is to expand our definition of environmental education. I think, at its core, environmental education is about connection. It's about connection to the natural world, but it's also just as much about connection to each other and learning about all of these systems that we collectively depend on. I think that's where the critical thinking and the systems thinking really come in — learning how one thing connects to another. We all need clean air, clean water, clean soil; it doesn't matter where you live, your political stripe, your background. I think that really gets to the heart of why environmental education is something we would benefit from tremendously. There would be an incredible return on that investment if we leaned more into environmental education. We're seeing so many trends of disconnection and division, and this is a wonderful antidote to those things."

— James Parker

Preview link available upon request. Contact support@videoproject for more information

A Film by James Parker and Juliet Grable

60 minutes

Scene Selection • Closed Captioned

Grades 6 - Adult

Item #: ION-2094

A story of how nature and those who teach it are helping us find our way back to each other

Starting at $89

Licensing Options

K-12 Classroom, Public Libraries: DVD - $89 K-12 Classroom, Public Libraries DVD + Digital File - $139 Colleges, Businesses, and Institutions: DVD - $375 Colleges, Businesses, and Institutions: DVD with Digital Site License - $475 K-12 School District pricing available. Please inquire at [email protected] Community Screenings: Please Complete 'Host a Screening' Form found on top menu bar

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Reviews and Festivals

"In Our Nature reminds us all of the importance of experiencing, learning about, and caring for the natural world. The projects and perspectives shared in the film are great examples that together we can build a bright future for people, other animals, and our shared planet... beautiful, thoughtful, and important."

— Anna Rathmannn, Executive Director, The Jane Goodall Institute

"Beautifully shot and emotionally powerful. Draws you in with lyrical storytelling and unforgettable characters."

— Mitch Wietzner, former CBS & 60 Minutes producer

"A moving tribute to our field"

— Judy Braus, Executive Director, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)

"Foundational for educators around the world... Not only will [In Our Nature] touch your heart, but it will inspire you to do the same things in your community, and it will hopefully help you to look at yourself as being an environmental educator even if you didn't think that could be you or that could be in your cards.

—Quilen Blackwell, President & Co-Founder, Southside Blooms

"A fine movie. You've captured the issue, in fact, tone and story... terrific."

— Richard Louv, author, Last Child in the Woods

"Wonderfully thought-provoking"

— Dr. Nancy Trautman, Director of Education, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

"Fresh, stimulating, and heart-opening. Through the voices of teachers, youth, and elders, the film speaks to an inner knowing we all share— we are deeply connected with each other, nature, and this planet. It reminds us that shaping the future is a responsibility we all carry."

— Rob Grunewald, former Federal Reserve economist / author, How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value

WINNER

Silver Telly Award, Best Documentary

Seed & Spark, Patrons Circle Grant Recipient

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SXSW EDU

San Antonio Film Festival

Fresh Coast Film Festival Traverse City

Oceanside International Film Festival

Environmental Film Festival at Yale, Honorary Mention

Los Angeles Film and Documentary Awards

Eugene Environmental Film Festival

Jackson Doc Fest

Seattle Film Festival

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In Our Nature

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In Our Nature

Select License (limited Public Performance Rights included)

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