What Color is the Wind?

Remembering Ed

– By Scott Dunn

How do the clouds feel? What does the dew taste like? What does the earth smell like? Can you hear the flapping of butterfly wings or a leaf falling to the ground?

Our founder Ed Bieber was, to borrow a phrase, a force of nature. His entire life was dedicated to sharing his insights and connection to the natural world with others, especially children. He was a magician at making something out of what appears to be nothing, teaching us that if we pay attention and open up our senses, we will discover much more than we realize.

I believe everything we need is right in front of us, so close we run the risk of overlooking it. Take the time to stop in your tracks and consider what we tell the wandering, wondering children at camp: “Open your mind and say Ahh!” – From Ed’s Book: What Color is the Wind?

Ed’s way with children inspired so many of us at The Nature Place and that legacy is still the backbone of our camp program. His hands-on experiential approach encourages us to take notice of amazing things happening right under our noses. Whether while still-hunting or just noticing some unique natural phenomenon, sight, or experience, you’ll often hear us evoke Ed’s phrase: “Ooh Ahh how can it be?!” Nature is everywhere — all we have to do is notice.

“As near as the smallest backyard,
as far away as the Amazon rainforest,
and in all the in-betweens, the weeds
of nature’s irrepressible force are there,
between buildings and roads, tunnels
and bridges, endlessly sprouting,
puncturing streets and sidewalks,
cracking the macadam of parking lots,
bursting time and again, through
asphalt and stone-solid concrete.

There is more than you realize
in the half-light behind your garage
or the sunlit crack in the sidewalk,
in the scents that perfume the air,
at the beach, in a miasmic swamp,
in fecund wilderness or infertile desert,
in national parks or town square memorials.

You get this, of course.
But don’t just get it – get up,
and get out. Get the everywhere
of nature under your fingernails,
into your lungs, on the tip
of your tongue, at the front
of your mind, in the beat
of your heart.”

-From Ed’s Book What Color is the Wind?

Ed’s memory will certainly be cherished by the thousands of lives he touched. We will forever be grateful for all he taught us.