The earth needs our help and what better way to help the earth than to understand it? Professor and author Tom Wessels presents a workshop like no other, where one can go in depth, far beyond the headlines, hype and hyperbole. In “Reading the Forested Landscape” Mr. Wessels takes us on a physical and cultural investigation of the forests, fields and streams to the realization underpinned by science that shows how nature’s approach to fostering stable, resilient systems can be directly applied to human systems.

Tom Wessels is a professor of ecology in the Department of Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School. He has conducted workshops in Landscape Ecology throughout the United States for over 30 years. He is a past Chair of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, which fosters environmental leadership through fellowships and grants. Mr. Wessels now serves both as faculty and on the Board of the Center for Whole Communities in Mad River Valley, Vermont.

We invite you to join us July 23^rd – 28^th, 2012 at Medomak Retreat Center in Washington, Maine for the 8^th annual workshop led by Tom Wessels of Antioch University New England. In this workshop we will hike the historic property of Medomak Camp – since 1904 a camp and property of pristine forests and fields and lake; climb in Acadia National Park, and learn while exploring the forests outside Camden in the Coastal Mountains’ Land Trust – Fernald’s Neck Preserve.

This is the only extended workshop Tom facilitates each year. Space is limited to provide an intimate setting and the opportunity for participants to interact with Wessels learning his techniques. Because of the length of the retreat attendees have the opportunity to ask wide-ranging questions and discuss of points of interest with Wessels.

With plenty of downtime to enjoy the lake (swimming, canoeing and sailing), great food (much of it from our organic gardens), and campfires each night (full of starry skies and camaraderie), not only will you have an opportunity to learn, but you can relax and have fun as well.

Come experience the beauty of Maine, the lessons taught by a teacher of great depth and perception, and be with like-minded individuals searching out both knowledge and a chance to recharge, on a piece of land that has been a haven of nature’s beauty and encouraging personal growth for over 100 years.

For more information including a tentative schedule and pricing information see Reading the Landscape.