Offerings for Community Building

Offerings for Community Building Professional consultant, writer, outdoor educator, specializing in natural science/natural history, wild edibles, connecting deeply with the Land. Hello!

Nurturing a sense of community is more than just connecting with other humans (though this is vastly important too); it is also nourishing a sense of place and belonging in the world. And to do this you need to connect with your environment. Therefore, community building is more than just doing activities with other humans; it is also spending time outside and observing Nature’s cycles and process

es and the activities of your wild neighbors. By spending time in the outdoors and getting to know the plants and animals around you, you can start to recognize your part in Nature. My name is Arianna Alexsandra Collins and it is my mission to provide opportunities for folks to nurture a deep connection with the environment upon which we depend. I am at your service to provide outdoor educational excursions, wild edibles identification and meal preparation, and curriculum design and implementation for natural science education, tailoring lessons to meet MA Standards in science and English. I also offer writing services to organizations and businesses, specializing in natural science, natural history, wild edibles, and outdoor education; networking opportunities for your business; organizational development; and event planning (including green weddings). The thread that runs through all of my work is a desire for bridging, for connection, and to support and nurture a sense of place and belonging. Whether that be people feeling a deeper sense of connection to the Land they live on; celebrants bonding during a happy occasion; readers feeling a sense of belonging to the organization they are members of; businesses collaborating with a shared sense of purpose; and participants feeling a deeper understanding of how they’re part of a larger community that comprises other beings in the environment we all share. These are my offerings for community building! Offering programs and activities throughout Western, MA I would like to acknowledge and honor that I am working on the homelands of the Pocumtuc, Nonotuck Mohawk, Nipmuc, and Mohican Tribal Peoples. Bio: Arianna Alexsandra Collins is an environmental education professional with twenty years of experience in teaching, curriculum design, program development, project administration, daily operations, public relations, and community engagement. She is a gifted networker able to maximize people’s strengths and make creative connections to help people shine in their work. She is known for being an enthusiastic event planner and highly organized coordinator. Arianna is also a writer and poet. She writes natural science / natural history articles for local and regional publications and she is the author of Hearken to Avalon, a historical fantasy novel. One of Arianna‘s greatest passions is to connect people with the land and she does this through teaching people how to identify wild edibles and medicinals. Arianna holds a master’s degree in Environmental Administration from Antioch University New England. She lives in Ashfield, MA with her two kitties and a multitude of wild beings cohabitating on (and in) the Land.

At yesterday's Wild Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk at River's Edge Park, Justin and Arianna covered several flora includi...
08/16/2024

At yesterday's Wild Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk at River's Edge Park, Justin and Arianna covered several flora including: Wild Grape, Boneset, Goldenrod, Joe-Pye W**d, Queen Anne's Lace, and Ground Cherry. This particular "cherry" we found is not native - Japanese Lantern's fruit can be eaten when the fruit is orange.
Many thanks to Wild Soul River for providing a tasty libation of Sumac-ade made with Staghorn Sumac berries and local honey.
If you are interested in learning more about wild edibles, join Arianna & Justin at RiverFest tomorrow! Justin of Wild Soul River & Arianna of Offerings for Community Building lead a walk 11:15-12noon in The Spruces as part of RiverFest.
Get all the details for RiverFest here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1376221973068517

Looks to be a fun and educational way to spend part of a day!https://hoorwa.org/event/riverfest/
08/13/2024

Looks to be a fun and educational way to spend part of a day!

https://hoorwa.org/event/riverfest/

RiverFest is ON! Join HooRWA & Taconic Chapter Trout Unlimited #228 on Saturday, August 17, 11am-2pm for RiverFest at The Spruces in Williamstown MA!

Celebrate and get to know the species who live in the River. Attend a workshop on fly tying. fly casting, and wild edible flora. See demos on water quality monitoring. Kids learn about the critters who live in the River. Poets & poet-enthusiasts, participate in a River-inspired Poetry Share (bring your poems). We will end with a family-friendly sing-along in honor of the River.

Bring a picnic blanket or chair and sit for a spell along the River or by the pond. We’ve got you covered from in to out: Food truck vendors Krispy Cones Soft Serve Ice Cream & Junior’s Food Truck Bennington VT , Second Chance Composting, and A1 Septic. This event is free and open to the public.

Schedule
Guided Bird Walk with Hoffmann Bird Club 7:00-8:00am
Wild Edibles Walk 11:15-12:00pm
Water Quality Demo 11:15-11:45am
Fly Tying 11:30-12:30 PM
Kid-friendly Macroinvertebrate Workshop 11:30-12:00 PM
Fly Casting 11:30-12:30 PM
River-inspired Poetry Share 12:15-1:00pm
Water Quality Demo 12:15-12:45pm
Fly Casting 12:30-1:30 PM
Kid-friendly Macroinvertebrate Workshop 12:30-1:00 PM
River-Inspired Group Sing-Along with Singer/Songwriter Deborah Burns 1:30-2:00pm
Trailside and River Clean-up 2-3pm

Join in the fun and learning about the Hoosic River!
08/09/2024

Join in the fun and learning about the Hoosic River!

RiverFest is coming up!
Join HooRWA & Trout Unlimited Taconic Chapter on Saturday, August 17, 11am-2pm.
Celebrate the River and get to know the species who live in the River.
This event is free and open to the public.

Schedule
Guided Bird Walk with Hoffmann Bird Club 7:00-8:00am
Workshops & Demos 11:00am-1:30pm
Wild Edibles Walk 11:15-12:00pm
Water Quality Demo 11:15-11:45am
Water Quality Demo 12:15-12:45pm
Fly Tying 11:30-12:30 PM
Fly Casting 11:30-12:30 PM
Fly Casting 12:30-1:30 PM
Kid-friendly Macroinvertebrate Workshop 11:30-12:00 PM
Kid-friendly Macroinvertebrate Workshop 12:30-1:00 PM
Poetry Share 12:15-1:00pm
River-Inspired Group Sing-Along with Singer/Songwriter Deborah Burns 1:30-2:00pm
Participate in a River Clean-up 2-3pm

We’ve got you covered from in to out: Food truck vendors Krispy Cones Ice Cream & Junior's, Second Chance Composting and A1 Septic.

Swearing on an oath to the River! Love this!
08/06/2024

Swearing on an oath to the River!
Love this!

Activist Paul Powlesland says he considers the River Roding to be sacred.

08/03/2024

🤣Love these ideas, Wild Soul River!

07/30/2024

🐛🦋 Know your neighbors...

Wild Grape season is just around the corner for us here in New England. Check out Alexis Nikole Nelson aka BlackForager'...
07/28/2024

Wild Grape season is just around the corner for us here in New England.
Check out Alexis Nikole Nelson aka BlackForager's video on how to identify grapes and make jelly from the fruit.

Lots of places in the Northern Hemisphere have a variety of wild grape native to their area. Typically smaller than storebought, but super flavorful (and occ...

I had such a lovely time at Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter Third Annual Connecting Women, Conne...
07/27/2024

I had such a lovely time at Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter Third Annual Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature Retreat! Wonderful bunch of women! I felt rejuvenated by Forest bathing and yoga. And had such a fun time sharing my passion for wild edibles with these ladies!

And remember, Queen Anne has hairy legs! The prime way to know you’re looking at Wild Carrot aka Queen Anne’s Lace.

Bright blessings, everyone!
Arianna

Very helpful article from Sweet Birch Herbals about the hormones at play as we age and the herbs who can help balance th...
07/26/2024

Very helpful article from Sweet Birch Herbals about the hormones at play as we age and the herbs who can help balance them.

Hormone balance is something I think about often as an herbalist who sees a wide range of women who menstruate or are in menopause. The topic of hormones is very "hot" right now (as it ought to be) given for the last century they have been written off as nothing more than a problem that women experi...

07/24/2024

Being love

I will be facilitating a wild edibles walk at the Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter Third Annual C...
07/22/2024

I will be facilitating a wild edibles walk at the Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter Third Annual Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature Conference this Saturday morning.

Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature:
Third Annual Women's Affinity Weekend

The AMC Noble View Outdoor Center

Friday, July 26, 2024 5:00 pm - Sunday, July 28, 2024 2:00 pm

There is still time to register for the Appalachian Mountain Club's Western Massachusetts Chapter's Third Annual Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature women's only weekend retreat at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center, Russell, MA. We have scheduled a variety of traditional and non-traditional outdoor pursuits in the hope of attracting women to the joy and rejuvenation of the outdoors. There will be hikes, paddling outings, writing, music, dance and speakers. This is a women-only event that uses an inclusive definition of women. We respectfully welcome all women including non-binary, gender non-conforming, transwomen and individuals who identify as a woman as the best expression of themselves. We invite women to stay over Friday and Saturday night in the Double Cottage or at the campsites at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center. Click the link to the Chapter Activities page of our website for details and to register.
https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/150823

Learn a bit about how different tree species can adapt (or not) to climate weirdness.
07/22/2024

Learn a bit about how different tree species can adapt (or not) to climate weirdness.

This article is the second in a four-part series that focuses on climate change impacts and adaptation in forests. A companion series published… This content

"Wait; I can eat that?" "Yes, you can." Learn a bit about summer flowers you can eat.
07/21/2024

"Wait; I can eat that?" "Yes, you can." Learn a bit about summer flowers you can eat.

Summer Solstice Flower Power Salad It’s Summer Solstice and I am delighting in the taste sensations that the change in season brings. Rugosa Rose. Ox-eye Daisy. Daylily. Red Clover. Steamed Milkwee…

The Apple trees in my historical fantasy novel Hearken to Avalon are enchanted and so when I read this quote, I found it...
07/16/2024

The Apple trees in my historical fantasy novel Hearken to Avalon are enchanted and so when I read this quote, I found it so true...

"We won't shift into an Inspired Life all at once. The apple tree doesn't grow buds or blossoms instantaneously. Several branches are dormant. In some moments, the tree is part winter, part spring, and part summer. I accept that blossoming doesn't take place all at once." ~ Tama J. Kieves

What a lovely Wild Edibles Walkabout in Ashfield program yesterday! Many thanks to program participants for coming out t...
07/14/2024

What a lovely Wild Edibles Walkabout in Ashfield program yesterday!
Many thanks to program participants for coming out to learn about and sample wild edibles! Much gratitude to Belding Memorial Library for sponsoring this event. And much gratitude to my dear friend and photographer Julia Walter!

Whew! And I’m ready! Yum!On the menu for Wild Edibles Walkabout in Ashfield:Steamed Milkweed pods in GheeMilkweed flower...
07/13/2024

Whew! And I’m ready! Yum!
On the menu for Wild Edibles Walkabout in Ashfield:

Steamed Milkweed pods in Ghee
Milkweed flower pesto on gf crackers
Flower power salad w/Daylily, Chicory, Beebalm, Mugwort, Goldenrod, Wood Sorrel, Queen Anne’s Lace and Lemonbalm Rose honey vinaigrette
Purslane in plum vinegar
Fried Lambs Quarter w/Romano Cheese
Mini Rose pancakes w/Rose Honey
Lemon balm sun tea
Rose mead

Great interview with my friend Stephanie Shafran! Writers, listen in!
07/12/2024

Great interview with my friend Stephanie Shafran! Writers, listen in!

Have you ever felt the need to write your story and share it with others? What if you believed breaking the silence would heal you, but family members want y...

I love finding myself in the Ocean!
07/12/2024

I love finding myself in the Ocean!

Missing the water. The fog horns. The mist. The salt.

The water, the water, the water.

Interdependence Salad!Ingredients:Start with a base of your favorite in season salad greens and add the following herbs ...
07/06/2024

Interdependence Salad!

Ingredients:
Start with a base of your favorite in season salad greens and add the following herbs & flowers chopped:
Basil, Wood Sorrel, Fennel, Ox-Eye Daisy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Mugwort, Lemon Balm, Daylily
Garnish with Daylily, Ox-eye Daisy, Chicory and chopped Strawberries and Rhubarb stalks.

Dressing: a vinaigrette composed of Walnut oil, Maple vinegar, Rose honey, and chopped Lemon Balm and Rosemary.

Revel in the deliciousness of Community and diverse taste sensations alighting on your tongue!

Happy 4th of July!In celebrating independence, remember that we are also interdependent with the fabric of Life. Tread g...
07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July!
In celebrating independence, remember that we are also interdependent with the fabric of Life.
Tread gently and respectfully and with honor. Bright Blessings.
🦌🦌
Photo credit: young bucks, Arianna Alexsandra Collins

Poet Eileen P. Kennedy wrote "Midsummer Night", a poem for our recent A Midsummer Night's Dream Lovin' Poetry Share, whi...
07/01/2024

Poet Eileen P. Kennedy wrote "Midsummer Night", a poem for our recent A Midsummer Night's Dream Lovin' Poetry Share, which she shared at the event.

Read the poem here:

My Interview on WGBY Radio: Here is a recent reading I did: Here I have several poems for you to enjoy: Midsummer Night Ode an die Freude Indian Ink Eulogy for the Costa Rican Ghosts Summer Reunion…

After my wild edibles walk at The Clark, they hosted a beauteous celebration facilitated by Wild Soul River. It was so l...
06/28/2024

After my wild edibles walk at The Clark, they hosted a beauteous celebration facilitated by Wild Soul River. It was so lovely to honor mid-summer with such a lovely gathering of folks at the top of the hill. What a view!
If you haven’t visited The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown MA I totally recommend wandering through both the inside to gaze at all the artwork and the grounds outside. Fabulous!

I lead wild edibles walks 4th Tuesdays through September at The Clark. Call them to register for this free offering.

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Ashfield, MA
01330

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Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

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Videos

Tis the season for getting to know a plant neighbor: autumn olive. This shrub has red ripe fruit just waiting to be picked! Read more on my blog: https://hearkentoavalon.com/2016/10/26/autumn-olive-falls-secret-bounty/

Meet a wild neighbor: Eastern Hemlock Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, is not to be confused with the herbaceous, similarly named water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). This conifer sports dark green flat needles, occurring singly with white stomatal bands on the needles’ underside – think racing stripes. Another important feature is that eastern hemlock has a tiny petiole – like an itty-bitty stem. The poisonous yew (“never eat yew”) (Taxus canadensis), which also has flat needles, does not have a petiole, nor white lines on underside of the needle. As a youngster, hemlock bark has reddish-gray to reddish-brown irregular scales with an inner layer that is cinnamon-y colored and warty cinnamon-red lenticels. As the tree ages those scales thicken, lengthen, and form ridges. Though eastern hemlock is a common tree and can form dominant stands, creating cool sinks, it is being attacked by the invasive wooly adelgid. This critter forms white sticky masses on the underside of the needles and steals the nutrients to the tree.

Enjoy a lovely serene day. 🌲 🌱🌿🍀🌲 “You may not get good reception out in the woods but I swear you’ll feel a stronger connection.”

Part two of conducting a wild edibles land inventory in Holyoke, MA; this time focusing on garlic mustard. See identification details in the comments. And see earlier video on violets. Please note that while I state all violets are edible, I mean all wild violets you find in the woods and on your lawn and garden are edible. Do not eat your African violet houseplants if you have them. Those are not edible. Also, take care of your health and do not harvest edibles from places that have been sprayed with pesticides. If you would appreciate me conducting a wild edibles land inventory on your property, check out details at: https://offeringsforcommunitybuilding.com/wild-edibles/ Happy foraging!

This is first time teaching in front of video camera while I performed a spring land inventory on a client’s property in Holyoke. I think my friend Valerie and I did a pretty good first run. So many violets on her lawn! We added them and the toothwort and ramps I brought, to a soup she made for lunch. See picture and recipe in comments. We both like to play with food so if you think this is a recipe you would like, feel free to adapt to your tastes. Enjoy my first video. And if you would appreciate me conducting a wild edibles land inventory on your property, check out details at: https://offeringsforcommunitybuilding.com/wild-edibles/ Please note: all wild violets you find in the woods and on your lawn and garden are edible. But do not attempt to eat your African violet houseplants if you have them. Those are not edible.

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Our Story

Arianna Alexsandra Collins is an environmental educator with twenty years’ experience in program development, administration, and coordination, public relations and community engagement, curriculum design and implementation, budget administration, and fund raising. She has a demonstrated ability in maintaining a healthy rapport with stakeholders, collaborators, and sponsors to build sustained relationships and increase sponsorship gifts. Arianna is a naturalist educator, community builder, and gifted networker able to maximize people’s strengths and make creative connections. She is known for being an enthusiastic event planner and highly organized coordinator.

Professional services include: * Outdoor Experiences Facilitator: design and implement curricula and excursions to increase connection to environment. * Writer: Write natural science, natural history, and community enrichment articles to raise awareness. * Naturalist Educator: lead nature walks for proper identification and understanding of ecology. * Public Relations & Publications Designer: design, content, editing of monthly e-news to ensure quality. * Development Counselor: provide professional counsel in programming & fundraising thereby increasing participation and financial solvency. * Event Planner: creating, organizing, and budgeting consultation; effective with securing sponsors and advertisers and boosting attendance. * Interviewer: highlight individuals’ work, write promotional materials, increasing organizational visibility. * Networker: connect clients to people, groups, and resources to grow visibility and impact.

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