Jonathan Shapiro
East Hardwick, VT
Jonathan’s Bio
I am a lifelong student and teacher of the natural world. For the last decade, I’ve been deeply engaged in wildlife tracking as a way to learn about lives of the animals around me, and build a connection to the forests and fields where I live. I spend much of my time in wild places, observing carefully, and piecing together the stories on the land. I run the Fox Paw School in my hometown of Hardwick, VT, where I teach other passionate adults about the natural world in an effort to promote ecological literacy and create a sense of place. I also teach natural history at Sterling College in Craftsbury, VT. When I’m not tracking or teaching, you’ll find me running, hunting, canoeing, or watching the weather.
My Core Values
- Engage in deep examination of reality and our cultural and epistemological frameworks around our experience of the world
- Cultivate an authentic and meaningful relationship with wild nature and wild animals
- Be in reciprocity with the natural world—harvesting plants and animals, and offering gratitude, education, and conservation efforts
- Be a lifelong learner, with endless curiosity and incessant questions
- Teach others as a community builder and culture changer
- Think about the 7th Generation
- Find time for quiet contemplation
- Make my mind and body strong
- Engage in difficult personal work and work towards forgiveness
- Be generous, even when it’s hard
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