Mission Statement

Bringing Children and Nature Back Together by:

Administering a children's education program to be accomplished by providing both structured and non-structured experiential nature workshops on, but not limited to, the Whispering Springs Farm property. Some programs may be coordinated to occur on the Highland's Nature Sanctuary property, or on the properties of Highland's Nature Sanctuary Land Stewards who may be assisting with the above programs.

These programs may include, but are not limited to:

a) Mentoring the ability to have a deep familiarity with the native plants and animals of the above geographical region, while encouraging a deep respect for, and a recognition of, the interconnectedness of all life forms.

b) Providing exposure to an organic garden and orchard where sustainable techniques are practiced that are applicable to small family and subsistence gardens, that work in harmony with natural systems. Program projects may include soil preparation, composting, seed starting and/or planting, harvesting and meal preparation and consumption, utilizing garden produce.

c) Providing exposure to a variety of domestic farm animals to encourage a deeper understanding that animals raised for food have in fact intelligent consciousness, complex emotional lives, and are similar in many ways to humans in their needs, in order to thrive and fulfill their life purposes. Examples will be provided of humane and sustainable livestock practices and care. Children will be encouraged to interact, and participate in animal and bird care of both domestic livestock and other children friendly pets. d) Exposure to and encouragement of lifestyle skills that are kinder to the living earth, leading to slow and gentle cultural shifts in perception.

Bringing Adults and Nature Back Together by:

a) Sponsoring and/or administering adult workshops that teach the need to create healthy cultural environments for people while simultaneously creating healthy natural communities for healthy plants and animals. Additionally by providing materials and classes on topics such as forming co-creative partnerships with nature, animal communication and wildlife rehabilitation.

b) Demonstrating and teaching lifestyles that are simpler and healthier, as well as more balanced, more community-oriented, life-enhancing, self-sustaining and environmentally responsible.

c) Teaching a new paradigm in which humanity is no longer a dominating force over nature, but a partner with nature, with individuals freely gifting their talents to all living things.

d) Encouraging new thinking about the establishment of environmentally sustainable communities where several generations coexist and support one another, and potentially bringing such a community into form.

e) Encouraging a study of alternative energy sustainability as is demonstrated by existing structures and alternative energy systems at Whispering Springs Farm.

f) Providing an information library in which books and articles on topics such as; earth stewardship, co-creative science, animal behavior, botanical and wildlife identification and studies, organic gardening, domestic farm animal care, sustainable energy concepts, etc. can be distributed to interested members of the general public.

g) By supporting the rescue, care and ultimate adoption of dogs and cats abandoned primarily on or near the Highlands Nature Sanctuary/Whispering Springs property

Assisting the Highlands Nature Sanctuary / Arc of Appalachia (a 501c3) in the fulfillment of their missions through providing the following:

a) Partnership with the Highlands Nature Sanctuary/Arc by either separately or cooperatively acquiring through outright purchase significant tracts of land for the purposes of nature preservation, thereby contributing to the restoration of an unbroken fragment of Eastern America's native deciduous forest.

b) By providing from time to time, as resources permit, the organization of Benefit Fund Raisers that will support the Highlands Nature Sanctuary/Arc and/or the Wakeman Educational Foundation, and/or support one or the other exclusively, as seems most beneficial and appropriate to their needs at the time.