What Regional Roots Means:
Those who are dedicated to gaining knowledge about landscape history and ecology, learn that when we weave our perspective into our ecosystem, we gain not only information, but connection to the world around us.
Our founder Gene Otello Desideraggio studied Forestry and Geology at UVM’s Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources and has spent the last decade in Vermont learning about the natural world through classes, field jobs, the Vermont Master Naturalist program and through conservation work and leading educational nature hikes.
Regional Roots was created with the intention of helping people become more aware of our surroundings with a less human-centric perspective. In our modern world it is so easy not think about the world beyond the human-built infrastructure. Too many folks go days or weeks without making contact with the soil or observing the wildlife and the plants that are growing and living adjacent to us. Our lives are far more intertwined with the natural systems than the modern human existence allows us to see in our day to day lives.
If we want to protect the natural world, we first need to take steps that bring us closer to understanding our place within it. We must become aware of the shared ecosystem experience that is happening to all organisms on our planet. The best way to gain this perspective is an age old practice that all species on earth use: having a more experienced mentor take you outside and pass on knowledge of your environment so you can become more rooted to your ecosystem.
Client Testimonials
We met Gene when he led several Tree ID walks in Chittenden County. When we relocated to our home in Central Vermont and where we are fortunate to have some forest, we reached out about collaborating to learn more about the history of our land and being good stewards. Given this was a new experience, we pictured he would walk in our woods with us and speak about what he saw in front of him. But this is not what happened. The level of preparation, reflection, and the thoughtful approach throughout that Gene took was nothing short of astounding. Gene had taken the time to do geological and ecological research about where we live, going back literally thousands of years, completely of his own accord. A good teacher is able to exist as a learning role model, sharing research, stories, and inspiring confidence through challenges. Gene walked us through not only what he had learned, but how he learned and how we could too, all while making it feel like talking to an old friend. Thanks to his distillation of knowledge and experience as well as his calm enthusiastic approach, we feel more equipped to make decisions and plan for generations. We went for a walk at a particularly transitional time of bud break, and Gene was able to recalibrate, weave together our personal land use goals, and make thoughtful recommendations on the fly. It was really special that he was able to convey complicated geological and environmental concepts in an accessible and affirming way so our curiosity was given more space to grow, and provided resources afterwards. We are grateful that we are not the only beneficiaries of this work, but we can now take action to ensure that the critters, the trees, and future generations can enjoy a healthy forest thanks to Gene!
— Tara & Nick