April 16, 2021
Introducing the Team at CPAWS Manitoba
If you ever find yourself on a hike with Avery Kash, you better plan for extra time for when she stops to listen to the whispers from the trees, gaze out at sparkling waters wondering what lives beneath and look up at the sky in awe of all that Mother Nature offers.
Avery nurtures her connection to the environment by living an eco-friendly lifestyle, including growing her own food in her backyard garden and sharing her love of nature and the importance of protecting it with others.
Photo by Kevin Kash.
In her role on the CPAWS Manitoba team as Environmental Educator, Avery combines her love for education and nature. She brings a decade of experience working with children aged 5 to 18 in the classroom and as a camp director.
Avery has a deep understanding of teaching pedagogy and curriculum plus a background in environmental science. She previously developed an after-school science exploration program with 80 students in grades 4 to 12.
Through the CPAWS Manitoba Outdoor Learning Program, Avery, along with two educational assistants, delivered 81 in-person workshops at schools and daycares in 2021. As of April 2022, 53 workshops have already been delivered both in-person and virtually to classrooms this year.
If you’re interested in booking a school presentation or learning more about our Outdoor Learning projects, get in touch by email. And be sure to join the Outdoor Learning Manitoba Facebook group, a place for educators and parents to connect and share resources.
Q & A with Environmental Educator Avery Kash
Want to learn more about Avery’s work with CPAWS Manitoba and what inspires her to stand up for nature? Read on to find out!
What Do You Do In Your Role with CPAWS Manitoba?
My goal is to connect students, teachers and education-minded adults to nature by reducing barriers to outdoor learning. In my role as Environmental Educator, I’ll be creating free and accessible resources and delivering school presentations and interpretive nature-based programming.
As a classroom teacher of five years with a specialty in environmental science, I have a deep respect and appreciation for the work the CPAWS Manitoba team is doing. I look forward to working with CPAWS to empower our next generation to Keep Manitoba Wild.
What Inspires You to Protect and Be an Advocate for Nature?
Photo by Kevin Kash.
Nature is our home! Sometimes it’s easy to forget the deep interconnectedness of life and all that we can learn from observing the natural world.
Manitoba is the most beautiful place and has so much to offer, from the shores of Hudson Bay, to the Spirit Sands at Spruce Woods Provincial Park, to the prairies and the shield and everything in between. This place is something special, and we must do all that we can to respect and protect it.
What’s One Manitoba Nature Experience That Stands Out to You?
One of my favourite things to experience is swimming at night under the sparkling stars. You can bet if I’m camping, I’ll be taking a late night dip before I turn in for the night.
There is something so raw, powerful and primal when you’re surrounded by calm water and looking up at the stars. All is quiet. It’s just you, your breath and the natural world. One of my favourite late night swims was in the summer of 2020 at Black Lake under the bright full moon.
Fast Facts
My Exploring Buddies: I’m lucky to have an adventurous husband and a sweet little bulldog, Luna, to accompany me on outdoor adventures. We haven’t taken our cat, Galileo, hiking…yet.
Favourite Outdoor Activities: Camping, swimming and gardening.
Favourite Hike in Manitoba: I love Spirit Sands. I also have a very special place in my heart for waterfalls, including McGillivray Falls, Pisew Falls, Rainbow Falls and Wekusko Falls. I look forward to hiking out to Kwasitchewan Falls this summer.
Favourite Vacation Spot in Manitoba: Shoe Lake and Churchill.
Photo by Kevin Kash.
Favourite Provincial Park in Manitoba: It’s tough to choose! Probably Nopiming Provincial Park.
Favourite Book about Nature: Gosh, so many! I’ll narrow it down to three: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben and Planted by Kaitlin Vitt (a fellow CPAWS Manitoba team member!).
Favourite Environment-themed Documentary: Kiss the Ground was a recent one I watched. It explores regenerative agriculture and how it can negate the impacts of climate change as well as replenish the health of our soil and water systems.
Something You Do Outside of Work with CPAWS Manitoba: I’m a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. I deeply value the power of living mindfully and intentionally. I feel that mindfulness and connection to the natural world go hand in hand.