About UofW

The name University of the Wild draws on the original meaning of university - to find one's place in the universe. It is a way to reclaim the word and draw awareness to the need to learn from, and to learn in, the wild world.

University of the Wild runs experiential environmental education programs designed to provide a meaningful alternative to traditional higher education. We are developing programs in four main areas:

  1. Residential Programs
  2. Workshops & Intensives
  3. College/University Partnerships
  4. Self-directed Independent Studies

The pilot residential program, the Ecological Living Project, opens summer 2009 and will mark the launch of University of the Wild's semester programming. Our intention is to continue to grow the organization to offer a wide range of earth-based, experiential education programs. Our goal is to transform and empower leaders in creating a new and sustainable culture, one that values the earth and all life.

Our approach to learning is part of what makes us unique. We seek to tap into human potential by using the cultural model of learning that has been used for the vast majority of human history – in other words, one that is best suited to optimum learning and growth. It comprises 4 types of Learning:

  1. Self-Directed
  2. Experiential
  3. Mentored
  4. Community

For more detailed descriptions of these, see Approach.

Our main audience is college-age students who are looking for alternative educational experiences with an environmental focus. We are based in New England and draw most of our participants from the region. Additionally, our workshops and intensives will reach a wider age-range of people interested in earth-based learning.

University of the Wild was coined by Larry Buell, in 1999 in an article published in Communities Magazine. It stated, ‘in the future, we will be going to the Cathedral of the Pines and the University of the Wild.’ This statement birthed the idea of an alternative higher education curriculum where students would be at the cutting-edge of sustainability, in a context that nourished their deeper self. This vision draws heavily from philosophies such as Deep Ecology, Indigenous Wisdom and De-Schooling Society, weaving together a conceptual framework that integrates ancient and contemporary wisdom.

The long-term vision of University of the Wild includes acquiring a home through the purchase of land and the building of facilities in line with our mission. Additionally, we will be developing partnerships with various colleges and universities to expand our credit offerings and range of programming.

Ultimately, we want to create a world with drinkable water, forests and oceans full of wildlife, air that is clean, food that is nourishing and human communities that live in balance, both within and with the wild world they are embedded in. This requires a radical shift and bold, visionary action to bring it to life.