Environmental educator teaches ecology through a queer lens in Atlanta

Yarrow Koning grew up surrounded by nature. During their childhood in Michigan, they developed a love for the natural world through hiking, camping, and visits to the Great Lakes. So, the transition to becoming an environmental educator was natural for them – no pun intended.

Koning’s desire to meet other queer people in the field was what led them to the world of queer ecologies. Today, Koning teaches people across Atlanta about the weird and wonderful queerness that exists in nature.

Queer ecologies is an emerging field that takes concepts from queer theory and applies them to ecology, the study of the Earth. The field is concerned with breaking down binaries like human versus nature and male versus female through ecological study.  

The plural “ecologies” represents the varying ways the study can be interpreted and defined, according to Koning, and there are three elements to the queer ecologies that they teach and study. The first is gender and sexual diversity in nature. According to a 2019 study, same-sex sexual behavior has been recorded in over 1,500 animal species. The second element of queer ecologies is the emphasis on the connection between queer people and nature.

“Queer ecologies really likes to disrupt things that are considered normal or natural, and it also is a practice that promotes solidarity: solidarity between people, but also between humans and the natural world,” Koning told Georgia Voice.

The third element is incorporating queer people and theory into environmental politics. These elements work together to create a study that disrupts the naturalization of binary thinking, hierarchies, and oppressive systems, Koning said.

“Many of our biggest climate threats right now, they’re tied to and bound up in these same systems of oppression that target queer and trans people and that are, at least in our current political fascist moment, using queer and trans people as part of a broader strategy to stoke fear, further fascism, and exploit people on the planet,” they said. “I think queer ecologies is most useful when it’s woven together with these broader practices of climate, social, environmental, and eco justice. When it’s practiced responsibly, it’s inherently political.”

Koning uses this framework to lead queer ecologies classes across Atlanta. Through a partnership with the Atlanta Free School, Koning hosts immersive outdoor classes like Freaks of Nature at the Atlanta Free Fair, a hike to celebrate the bloom of the rare Diamorpha succulent at Arabia Mountain, and the very popular Queerness of Birds – all for free.  

Koning also hosts a monthly queer ecologies book club with Charis Books and More. Next month’s book is “Rachel Carson and the Power of Queer Love” by Lida Maxwell, and they will meet to discuss on July 2.

In time for Pride month, they will also be hosting the first-ever Queer Ecologies Pride Fest on June 7 at Mason Hill Park. The event will feature a mix of nature connection activities like nature walks, eco games, art projects, and skillshares provided by ecologists, naturalists, artists, and nature enthusiasts.

By creating these free spaces for queer people to connect and learn about an understanding of nature that is inclusive of them, Koning says they hope to provide queer people a place of solace.  

“[Queer ecologies classes] really offer queer and trans people a much-needed sense of belonging, joy, and connection in a time where our identities are under attack, being erased, being threatened,” they said.

Koning is also a co-director of the documentary “Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines.” The film is available to book for community screenings and educational events, and 50% of the sliding scale fee goes to a mutual aid fund for queer people living in Florida. Koning said they are hoping to make the film available to stream through Kinema in June and July.  

To keep up with Queer Ecologies, follow Yarrow Koning and Atlanta Free School on Instagram.