The Cushing Family
Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.
Our mission is to help individuals connect to nature while acquiring skills that serve people, animals and the environment.
Earth Studies is a family-owned, lifestyle driven environmental education and animal connection school based in Canada dedicated to teaching environmental literacy, outdoor preparedness, animal connection and self-defense.
The Cushing family has trained more than 200 regional and international students, and won the Aventure Écotourisme Québec 2014 Award of Excellence. Canoeing, dog sledding, wilderness first-aid and CPR certifications are available at the program level. Earth Studies is headquartered in Outaouais, Québec.
Our story
1991
In October, Cushing Eco-Rec Resources Inc., was established and conducted business as “Cushing Lodge” (DBA) in the Municipality of Thorne (Ladysmith), Québec. The company's focus was on ecotourism, outdoor recreation and nature education. Among the attractions offered were dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, and skating. The facility was also recognized as having one of the longest private ice-skating tracks: 1000-meters that circled Indian Lake. The resident and wild animals surrounding the backcountry of Indian Lake allowed Cushing Lodge to be one of the first eco-tourism businesses in Canada. The newly established Bed & Breakfast was in high demand to the French, German and English markets.
1994-1998
In the mid 1990s, the Cushings began transitioning from the tourism industry to environmental advocacy. The construction of Cushing Mews; a center dedicated to the rehabilitation of birds of prey, helped distinguish this unique family enterprise. Cushing Mews is still one of the only birds of prey facilities in Québec caring for eagles, hawks and owls.
2001-Present
In the spring of 2001, the Cushing family founded The International School for Earth Studies, an environmental education school dedicated to teaching environmental literacy, outdoor preparedness, animal connection and self-defense to regional youth and international gap year students.
We wish to acknowledge our longstanding relationship with, and the efforts of the Waswanipi, Chisasibi, and Nemaska communities of the Eeyou Istchee Cree First Nation.
A meaningful relationship with Indigenous people in leadership roles is vital to instilling an environmental consciousness in our society, emphasizing the responsibility of care and stewardship for the land.
The input of Indigenous peoples worldwide is integral to fostering regenerative practices in our community by empowering individuals to enact positive ecological and social change.
Therefore, the connection between traditional indigenous cultures and the land inspires our programming.
Our relationship with the Cree of the Eeyou Istchee started in 2005 with an invitation to present our program objectives to the community of Nemaska.
As participants and later as community leaders, Cree participants demonstrated a keen awareness of environmental issues, especially those impacting their communities, while enthusiastically contributing their knowledge and connection to the land with our other non-Cree group members.
In building our relationship with the Cree of the Eeyou Istchee and other Indigenous groups, Earth Studies facilitates the forming of bonds and the sharing of knowledge, skills and stories between Indigenous and non-indigenous environmentally conscious youth and adults.
