Submitted by the San Juan Island Grange

How can we cultivate connection with nature in a time when we’ve never been so separated? How can we work to reunify humanity with the life of the Earth?

Mike Cohen — scientist, counselor, applied ecopsychologist, traditional musician, and naturalist — believes it can be done through the conscientious and scientific exploration of our own senses.

For over 50 years, Cohen worked to develop techniques of reconnection that use not only five but 54 senses to connect to nature and natural areas, and to ourselves within each present moment.

At the core of Cohen’s practice is the concept of the Earth as a living organism, with each of us inseparable from it. By using our senses to locate ourselves within the greater organism of Earth, we can learn to align ourselves and our lives with the needs of a healthy planet.

Join attendees at the San Juan Island Grange No. 966,152 1st St, Friday Harbor, Thursday, Aug. 31, as Cohen discusses his work in depth and teaches techniques to “create mutually beneficial relationships with Earth’s self-correcting ways, and help others do the same.”

The program will begin at 7 p.m. and, in typical Grange fashion, will be preceded by an optional potluck and meet and greet at 6 p.m.

Michael J. Cohen, Ph.D., Ed.D., is director of Project NatureConnect, Institute of Applied Ecopsychology, Organic Psychology, Educating, Counseling, and Healing with Nature.

“(Re)Connecting with Nature: An Evening with Mike Cohen” is part of the Grange Lecture Series, which strives to foster social and political engagement, discussion, and to maintain the historical hall as a home for celebrations and programs.