David Sobel

David Sobel works at the meeting point of environmental education and the ways children form lasting relationships with the natural world. Beyond Ecophobia argues that nature education should begin with direct, age-appropriate experience close to home rather than with distant ecological crises that can leave young learners feeling powerless. The book appeared through the Orion Society in 1996, and Sobel's wider work includes teaching, workshops, and consultation on place-based education. His approach connects childhood development with practical exploration of local landscapes, giving educators a framework for nurturing curiosity before asking children to confront large environmental problems.