Philosophy and Approach

The Sense of Place and Story Framework
Finding Stories That Matter

At the heart of this work is one simple truth:

Personal stories of connection to places inspire caring for places.

And right now, we need more people caring about more places.

Whether you're a park ranger designing programs, a community leader seeking engagement, or someone exploring your own creative path—or simply seeking more meaning and grounding in daily life—this framework helps you discover and share the stories that deepen connection.

What Is Sense of Place?

Sense of place is the felt connection between you and a location—where your inner world meets the outer landscape.

It's what you experience when a place opens something in you: a memory, a question, a recognition of beauty or loss. These moments ground us, orient us, and help us understand what we truly care about.

My definition: Knowledge + Experience = Sense of Place

It's the integration of what you know and what you feel—and the meaning you make from that intersection is where your stories begin.

When you cultivate this awareness, you find clarity about who you are and what matters most. These moments aren't abstract. They can be remembered, evoked, and revealed.

And this is the purpose of this work: to discover stories that inspire connections that lead to caring.

Why This Matters

In a time when many feel disconnected— from each other, from nature, history, and heritage, sense of place stories can offer a way back.

When you learn to recognize these moments and shape them into stories, something shifts. You discover what you care about. This leads to a sense of grounding and belonging we all could use more of these days.

And when you share those stories—in a program, in writing, in conversation—you help others discover what they care about too.

When we reclaim our stories of place, we don't just preserve our past—we imagine a more connected and caring future and experience the present more fully.

“Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.
That is why we put these stories in each other's memories.
This is how people care for themselves.”
— Barry Lopez, Crow and Weasel

How It Works: The Compass Framework

The Sense of Place and Story Framework uses a compass model to help you find, craft, and share stories that matter.

This is a structured creative process I've refined over 20+ years of fieldwork with park rangers, educators, communities, and writers.

Often, how we learn and grow isn't linear, but more internally sensed—and this framework allows for that.

You might start with yourself—your stories and what drives you. You might start with what you know and love to learn more about. Or you might go right to technique—gaining tools to craft stories, programs, or experiences. Or you might focus on honing and refining what you already do.

Once you understand the process, you can apply it where it's needed most—whether you're designing a single program, working on a personal project, or guiding others through their own journey.

This framework keeps you oriented to your inner sense of what matters, so you can do your best work in the outer world.

The Four Compass Quadrants:
1. Knowledge of Self — Find Your Stories.
2. Knowledge of Place — See Through New Eyes 
3. Craft of Story — Integration and Meaning 
4. Craft of Engagement — Share What You Find