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Astounding Earth

Classes That Connect

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Astounding Earth

Classes That Connect

About Luke

About Luke: 

 

More than a Botanist, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our living natural world.  His passions to study and understand the beautiful ecological intricacies of our astounding earth have led him throughout the Americas and across the globe.  An avid naturalist Luke draws from a diverse pool of knowledge, combining his  biological studies with his life experience and training in: Appalachian ecology, organic farming,  survival skills,  permaculture, rural homesteading and experiential education.  His course of studies include the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, the Humboldt Field Research Institute,  University of North Carolina Asheville, the Highlands Biological Station, the Karuna Falls  School of Permaculture (NZ),  John Young's Art of Mentoring course and the Kamana Naturalist Training Program. 

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Luke Cannon, Ethnobotanist & Naturalist-for-Hire brings decades of ecological experience to a wide range of classes and educational formats; from beginner to expert.   In each class, he delivers exceptional content and experiential learning to the youngest and the young at heart.  An accomplished mentor, Luke tailors each class or event with care, engaging each participant and sharing his profound connection to the natural world around us.  Luke's central passion:  "Helping people everywhere to deepen their connections, understandings and love for our astounding Earth."

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During the last two decades, Luke has instructed for numerous wilderness awareness programs, led classes, walks and workshops for numerous private and public institutions, herbal schools and plant societies including: the North Carolina Arboretum, the Blue Ridge Audubon Society, Organic Growers School, the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society, the Asheville Mushroom Club, Wild Abundance, and the Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism.   In 2011 he became the founder and Director of Astounding Earth - dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with the living Earth.    Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina, studying and teaching Appalachian ecology, ethnobotany and avian ecology.  He offers regular public walks and workshops to share his knowledge of local ecology and to try and kindle our collective fascination for the living Earth. 

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Scholarships
Worktrade

Sliding Scale, Payment Plans & Scholarships

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No one should be turned away for lack of funds, especially when it comes to learning

about our astounding earth around us!  Your donation to Astounding Earth helps someone else who may not have the means to attend classes and courses via our sliding scale and scholarships.
Thank You! 

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Sliding Scale Payments

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Astounding Earth offers a sliding scale payment option when registering for events. Please choose your tuition based upon your means.

Squeaking by: lower end.  Comfortable: mid scale.  Thriving: upper end. 

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Payment Plans

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There is a $45 fee for paying your tuition over multiple payments.  As with all Astounding Earth multiday classes, our payment plans still require a $50 deposit to register. Your class tuition will then be due in full by the beginning of the last day of class. 

In choosing the payment plan option you are committing to paying the class tuition in full plus $45, even if you drop out of the class(health emergencies aside).      

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Astounding Earth Scholarships

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With a goal of creating connected, eco-literate and powerfully diverse communities, Astounding Earth offers partial and full scholarships to people who might otherwise not be able to participate in our programs. Our hope is that empowered individuals may then spread these tools and skills into a greater diversity of communities.   

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​Astounding Earth offers diversity and need-based scholarships, especially geared towards: underserved communities, Black and Latino communities, refugee communities, folks who speak English as a second language (ESL communities), at-risk-teens (ages 16+), single parents, and Indigenous/First-Nations Peoples.

 

Your contributions create our scholarship fund- allowing our programs to reach more who have less!

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If you are interested in a scholarship, or know anyone who is interested, who might not have the resources needed to  attend, or who might be inexperienced in the format of such a course, please be in touch.

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Work Trade

 

All Work Trade options/positions still require filling out a registration form and a $50 deposit except when trading for one day or half day classes.

Please contact Luke via phone or email to inquire if work trade options are currently available.

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Allied Organizations

Allied Organization

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Forest Floor Wilderness Programs

Amazing, year round nature programs for children and teens!

https://www.forestfloorasheville.com/

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Holistic Survival School

Top quality Wilderness and Survival classes for Adults.

(Yes, that is a different Luke)

https://www.holisticsurvivalschool.com/

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Remembering Earth

Guiding people toward soul and healing through

nature reconnection and mentoring.

https://remembering-earth.com/

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School Of Integrated Living (SOIL)

Inspiring and empowering people to live responsible and creative lives through experiential education in integrated living and regenerative systems.

https://www.schoolofintegratedliving.org/

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Wild Abundance

At Wild Abundance, we share practical skills for personal empowerment and community resilience, with deep respect for the natural world.

https://www.wildabundance.net/

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