Defining what it means to be in the "bosom of nature," to use Montessori's words, Laurie Ewert-Krocker points out that the adolescent period of storm and stress is quelled by the natural world. But most important, when socialization is the essential developmental focus of the young adolescent, positive social organization is fostered by nature. The dialogue between nature and the human-built world is a conversation well worth having, leading to a profound understanding of what it means to use both the imagination and sensorial understanding to contribute to the world's safekeeping. [This article was reprinted from "The NAMTA Journal" 31,2 (2006, Spring): 183-194. This talk was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "Science, History, and the Arts Through Nature's Keyhole," Atlanta, GA, January 26-29, 2006.]