Please contact Doug for information about how to order books for your school event.
Click here to visit a photo gallery of Doug's school visits.
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A program of songs and stories, laughter and painless learning, Douglas Wood's EarthSongs, EarthStories has been performed from coast to coast for tens of thousands of listeners of all ages. From a Native American legend of how mosquitoes came to be (complete with unexpected audience participation) to songs about frogs and fleas, the signs of rain and outhouses, to the quiet pondering of our place in the universe, this program takes an audience on a gentle journey. Along the way Doug "transports his listeners back into the fabric of Nature" (1) and "reminds us of our unity with all of life." (2)
Doug's most popular program for general school assemblies, (K-6) EarthSongs, EarthStories is also a perfect adjunct to any environmental education unit or event.
1 Des Moines Register; 2 Joseph Cornel, author of Sharing Nature with Children |
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| A Writer's Path: Motivation, Perspiration, Inspiration |
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The path begins with a young boy who was the poorest reader in his class and who hated school. It winds through the woods and waters of the North, through a growing love affair with nature, and finally with books as well. Doug recounts authors and experiences that had a profound effect on his life and career, and describes the long and difficult journey towards becoming a published author. As with any good journey there are highs and lows, doubts to overcome and dreams to realize.
An excellent presentation for reading, writing, and literacy programs, teachers and students alike. Questions from an audience or class are always encouraged.
The program is designed to empower students and teaches to pursue their own dreams and goals, including writing, and to emphasize the power and importance of reading.
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Douglas Wood presents keynotes for literary, educational, and environmental conferences, health, wellness, and therapeutic organizations, and many other settings.
In programs like "The Wildness Within" and "Every Stone A Teacher...," he focuses on the relationship between the natural world and the human spirit.
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Nature is filled with teachers and teachings, for those who know how to listen and look. There are clues on how to live a “human” life, in harmony with our deeper selves and our environment. Each of us can explore the meanings that are there; within the sunrise, the stream, the flower, the rocks and woods of everyday life. |
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“And what is each of us but a universe in miniature…with lakes and forests,
stars and planets undreamed of, and unexplored.” —Douglas Wood |
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The simple yet profound spirituality of this wise old being has entranced countless readers. Join Doug and Old Turtle in a guided journey through a world in which “every lake is a mirror and every tree a ladder to the stars.” It is a world in which the sacred can be found in every one of us and in the world around us.
For, of course, it is not only Old Turtle’s world, it is ours as well.
“And the people began to see God in one another...
and in the beauty of all the Earth” —from Old Turtle
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Our Psychological-Spiritual Relationship with the Natural World
St. Bernard de Clairvaux once said, “You will find something greater in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you what masters never knew.” And Longfellow wrote, “All things are symbols; the external shows of nature have their image in the mind.”
There is an inseparable bond between external and internal landscapes, each one reflecting and illuminating the other. There is truly a wildness within. |
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Presented with a generous dash of warmth and light-hearted humor, along with a good dollop of (un)common sense, here is Doug’s recipe for being truly alive—for arriving at the ground beneath your feet and feeling at home in the universe.
Some sample ingredients:
- Know that the News is not the world.
- Tend your garden, but learn to stop stepping on rakes.
- Accomplish things the way an apple trees accomplishes apples.
- Remember…there is only one real question.
And the answer is “Yes.”
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Much of Douglas Wood’s life has been about trips: wilderness expeditions, river journeys and canoe trips, motorcycle trips, book tours. But the essential idea for any traveler is that in spite of beginnings and endings, hellos and good-byes, it is all one trip. How we travel is who we are. And we are all traveling together. |
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Doug performs music concerts for adults and families in a wide variety of settings, from national parks to national and regional conferences, literary and environmental events to smaller listening venues. Schools that work with Doug for daytime residencies sometimes have him stay for an evening community concert.
Doug often performs with his friend, outstanding guitarist Steve Borgstrom, and with his son Bryan, an excellent musician and composer in his own right. Click here to listen to some samples of Bryan Wood's music.
MAY
May 5 & 6
Fargo, ND Events: school & library visits, Tues. PM keynote. Fargo Forum. Contact: Bonnie Clark. 701-241-3108.
May 16 and 17
St. Petersburg, Florida. Performance of Old Turtle, Song Of Wisdom with Florida Men's Chorus, Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra.
May 19
Association of Clinical & Pastoral Education (ACPE) Convention. Chula Vista, Wisconsin Dells. Keynote and evening concert. Contact: Dean Hokel. 708-783-3108.
May 21
Discovery Middle School, Alexandria, MN. Keynote Speech and Author Residency.
May 27-30
Metro ECSU Young Authors Conference. Bethel College, Arden Hills MN. Writing Workshops.
May 31 & June 1
Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, Northwest Iowa
JUNE
June 12
Minnesota Association of Environmental Educators. Keynote and Workshop. Centennial Middle School, Lino Lakes, MN.
June 26
Camp Birchwood. Bemidji, MN. Evening EarthSongs Concert with Bryan Wood
June 27
Annandale, MN Outdoor Summer Park Concert, 7 PM 612-619-5349
June 29
Little Swan Lake Winery and Music Emporium, Estherville, Iowa. (712-858-4592)
Concert with Bryan Wood and Steve Borgstrom.
JULY
July 26
Annual Literature Festival, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Nebraska, 402-844-2108
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 20
Hormel Nature Center "Energy Fair" Concert, Austin, MN, 507-437-7519
Sept. 27
Winterset, Iowa. Madison County Annual Camporee. Afternoon Workshop and Evening Concert
with Bryan Wood and Steve Borgstrom.
Oct 4
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. EarthSongs Concert.
Click here for a list of Douglas' recent performances.
All website content copyright 2008 by Douglas Wood. Website designed and maintained by Winding Oak