Staff Member Bio

Jacob has taught in the field of Outdoor Education for more than 35 years. He is currently the Executive Director of Camp Kawartha, a summer camp and outdoor/environmental education centre.  Jacob is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter.  He has won awards from Otonabee Conservation for “passionate determination, inspiration, and innovation in fostering awareness for the natural world around us;” from The Canadian Network for Environmental Education & Communication as an Outstanding Educator and the Stony Lake Environmental Award for his work in promoting environmental education in the region.   In 2010, Jacob received the Award for Leadership in Environmental Education by the Ontario Society of Environmental Educators, offered annually to one or more persons who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in Environmental Education for at least five years.   In 2007, he was awarded the Richards Education Award for excellence in Natural History Education from Ontario Nature.   Recently Jacob was named to the Peterborough Pathway of Fame.

Jacob teaches at Trent University in environmental education.  Jacob graduated from Trent University with a joint major in environmental studies and geography. He holds a teacher’s certificate and a Master’s in Education.  He has published numerous articles on children, nature and the environment for EcoParent, Green Teacher and Cottage Country Connection.  Recently Jacob co-authored “The Big Book of Nature Activities” published by New Society, which won a gold medal from the Green Book Festival, a double gold from Nautilus Book Awards, a silver medal from Moonbeam Children’s Award and was a finalist for the Indie (Independent) Book Awards.  Jacob has written a new book called The Book of Nature Connection published by New Society Press which has just earned a Gold Award from Nautilus Book Award and a Silver Award from the Independent Book Awards (IPPY).

Jacob conceived and spearheaded the construction of one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings at Trent University called the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre.  This unique facility teaches children and future teachers about sustainable living practices, alternative energy and conservation.  Jacob conceived of a unique Eco Mentor program in partnership with Trent University and Fleming College which provides student teachers and early childhood educators with hands on training in environmental education and a certificate upon completion.  This model of environmental education has been adopted by four other universities across Ontario.  He has helped to develop a National on-line Environmental Education Training in partnership with Faculties of Education and the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication.

Jacob conceived of an environmental framework for children of all ages to help promote stewardship though each age and phase of a child’s development.  Called the Pathway to Stewardship & Kinship, this approach to environmental education helps provide children with the experiences they need in order to become future stewards.  This model is cited in the UN’s 2019 Report on Biodiversity.  Jacob was a leader in helping to establish the Peterborough/Kawartha area as a designated UNESCO Regional Centre of Expertise in environment and sustainability education, one of only 3 such regions in Ontario and 8 in Canada.