Winter 2026

Classes This Week

This page shows classes for the current week. The information below is taken from the weekly email that is sent to ALL members. However, here we do not here provide the credentials needed for attending via Zoom. If you are not a member, contact our Program Coordinator to obtain credentials. Each classes uses different credentials.

Classes for the Week of February 2, 2026

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – HYBRID
9:30 a.m. –11:30 a.m.

The Nature Connection: The American West Seen Through Different Minds & Cultures, Part 3: Artists
Presented by Dr. Jeff Hart, Naturalist and writer

The relationship between humans and the Western environment is complex. Environmental historians and scholars have drawn upon various ideological perspectives and have suggested sacredness, domination and exploitation, romantic fascination, rational description and explanation, and environmental stewardship as lenses through which the West has been viewed over the centuries. This class, presented in five segments over three terms, explores these different individual and cultural worldviews and how these perspectives correspond with different ecological outcomes. Fall Term included the Native American perspective (Nov. 19), and viewpoints from the pioneer era (Dec. 3). Segments for Winter Term will cover perspectives by artists and scientists. (A final class, covering the environmentalists’ view of the West will take place Spring Term.) As a whole, this class will prepare participants for a better understanding of attributes, significance, and value of the American West. Rather than embodying a simplistic good guy/bad guy narrative, the materials presented enable a more nuanced interpretation of America’s most iconic region.

Please make an effort to attend this session. It is important for the future of ALL.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – HYBRID
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Shaping ALL’s Future: An ALL Member Discussion  
Presented by Bill Kemper, Longtime active ALL member

Your ideas and comments are important to the future of ALL.  This class is set as a special opportunity for members and others to participate in shaping ALL’s future.  The leadership of ALL is eager to hear your ideas and to possibly hear your comments on ideas offered by others.  If you can, please email the ALL admin ahead of the class with any suggestions and whether you will be attending online or in person.   ALL is not constrained by the past, a national network, fixed program format, etc.  A goal of this session is to get ideas and comments out.  Any decisions will be made later after further review and queries have been done.