Sky Connection is Land Connection
Sky Connection can be practiced anywhere on Earth, (or even in space), but we are currently located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. We skygaze on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people, especially lands tended to since time immemorial by the Snoqualmie, Duwamish, and Snohomish peoples.
Knowing the place we live gives us important context for understanding our sky. The sun's motion is particular to our latitude, the moon is tied to the tides, and the mountains that surround us create our horizons. Stargazing in this area also has its unique challenges, such as urban light pollution and frequently overcast skies - but that's what makes our sky connection so vital. A relationship with our sky means we can also enjoy the colors in the clouds and the clearing of the mists.
Founder Story
Natalie is an educator and project director, devoted to bringing people more fully alive in creative, silly, and adventurous ways. She has spent the last decade working in educational nonprofits such as the Museum of Flight, Seattle Universal Math Museum, Wilderness Awareness School, and Camp Fire. Her planetarium work has been featured at the Live Interactive Planetarium Symposium and the American Astronomical Society, and earned her a season working with planetarium designer Digitalis. She has served as a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, Seattle Astronomical Society education volunteer, and a guest judge for the Mars 2020 rover naming contest. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Cultural Astronomy from University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Central Washington University. She has also been active in Seattle’s fringe theatre scene, particularly in co-creating works that blend imagination, science, and nature, such as her 2018 folk-rock-musical, "ROVERS!"
In her work in STEM education, Natalie observed that astronomy education often gravitated toward advanced telescopes, expensive photography equipment, computer models, and big-money aerospace companies, but hardly ever made time to just enjoy a night of stargazing. While working outdoors, she also noticed that outdoor education programs trended toward teaching ecology or wilderness survival, but hardly ever addressed the patterns in the sky. As a lifelong stargazer with a passion for creating experiences that inspire thought and wonder, Natalie sought to bring these worlds together.
In the fall of 2022, during her tenure as camp coordinator for Wilderness Awareness School, Natalie began "Night Club": a free, monthly program designed to bring adults out to the woods at night. Guided by Copeland and teaching partner Hannah Libby, folks would gather for astronomy lessons, sensory games, sit spots, night walks, singing around the fire, and other practices. The aim was to allow people to experience the wonders of the dark together, and to steadily build resiliency and help innoculate against fear of the dark. It was a smashing success, and the club gained an avid fan club, along with many youth participants. When Natalie left W.A.S. in the fall of 2024, the project was reborn as The Sky Connection.
Today, Copeland hosts immersive wilderness events in the woods of Vashon Island at Camp Sealth, with the hope to expand. She also writes the monthly Sky Connection blog full of cultural astronomy stories, current night sky events, challenges, and live event updates. Outside of these offerings, Natalie's extensive experience in designing immersive astronomy education allows collaborators many options to work with The Sky Connection, from private stargazing and night connection events to theatrical planetarium shows.
Stay Updated
Out substack blog will deliver thoughts to build your personal sky connection and information about upcoming events.