Education Program Many people today, especially children, are cut off from the natural world. They often lack significant exposure to nature and have little understanding of the natural cycles vital to maintaining life and a healthy environment (a condition recently termed Nature Deficit Disorder). The Education Program maintains that when encouraged to explore and investigate nature, people become fascinated and curious; they learn about and form healthy connections to the life and natural world around them. Connections lead to caring about nature, which in turn can grow into a concern for conservation and preservation! Education & Conservation Programs, Projects, Publications & Videos include: Education Program History Naturalist Bud Gode took over leadership of the Education Program in 2000. An active docent volunteer since 1998, Bud updated the docent manual, expanded docent training and led the program by his inspiring personal example, constantly investigating the nature of Madera Canyon and sharing his observations with others. Bud was a classical naturalist, spending hours in the canyon identifying plants, studying insects, and making copious field observations on the nesting habits of Elegant Trogons. Bud initiated the Bat House Research Project for canyon bat conservation and inspired the popular canyon “Bug Night” activities. It was a major blow to the Friends of Madera Canyon and the Education Program when Bud passed away unexpectedly in May 2005. Later in 2005, naturalist Doug Moore was hired as Education Director. A Friends of Madera Canyon docent volunteer since 1992, Doug had written the Madera Canyon: Web of Life teacher’s manual and The Nature of Madera Canyon. Initially, he rallied the docent corps, completed a major revision of the Docent Manual, expanded the 4th Grade Nature Walks and initiated adult nature walks/activities for Friends members and the community. In 2006 Doug developed the concept for the Bud Gode Interpretive Nature Trail and acted as principal designer/interpretive specialist. The Education Program has since created the Madera Canyon Junior Ranger Program, sponsors the Madera Canyon International Migratory Bird Day, and developed the “Madera Canyon Traveling Nature Project” to bring the nature of Madera Canyon to the classrooms of area students that cannot visit the canyon for nature walks. Friends of Madera Canyon Education Director Doug Moore can be contacted at
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