Jacob
Rodenburg
Award Winning Author & Environmental Educator
Inspiring the next generation of Earth Stewards, people who care for each other and the Earth we share.
Discover Jacob’s Work
Award-Winning Author
Jacob’s writing blends science, story, and lived experience to offer practical ideas for raising children who care for the world they inherit. He is the author of The Book of Nature Connection and co-author of The Big Book of Nature Activities and The Wild Path Home.
Environmental Educator
With more than 35 years in outdoor and environmental education, Jacob Rodenburg has translated theory into practice, creating tangible models of hope, including leading the development of one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings. He is the longtime Executive Director of Camp Kawartha and conceived and co-created the award-winning Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship, a groundbreaking framework for raising the next generation of environmental stewards.
Keynote Speaker
Jacob offers workshops and keynotes for schools and organizations designed to leave participants feeling hopeful and inspired. Each session is grounded in research and storytelling, providing insights for those seeking to nurture environmental responsibility in a changing world.
A Different Way of Raising Earth Stewards
Environmental education is often focused on mitigating harm. Surrounded by troubling news, many children feel overwhelmed and uncertain about their future.
While teaching about environmental problems is important, sometimes we forget to show our children what “good” looks like. I look for ways to activate and inspire children for the age they are, to make the very place they stand on, a better one.
I believe that stewardship grows not from guilt or urgency alone, but from love, relationship, and a deep sense of kinship with the natural world.
I grew up next to a conservation area: roaming woods, wetlands, and neighbourhood parks. Today, my work continues to be informed by Indigenous ways of knowing, regenerative design, and a belief in education as a force for healing and renewal.
Recipe for Growing an Earth Steward
Take one child. Place outdoors in nearby green spaces. Leave for several hours at a time. Repeat daily. Sprinkle in a dash of adventure. Stir in generous portions of exploration and discovery. Gently fold in opportunities to garden, rewild, and naturalize. Top generously with wonder and awe. Let rise slowly through muddy boots, birdsong, and open skies. Serve for a lifetime.
-Jacob Rodenburg
Beyond his books, Jacob shares ongoing insights through authored articles, field notes, and educational media.