I grew up playing with crayfish barefoot in creeks and running through grassy fields on my family’s organic farm. I am privileged to be able to live in-tune with nature once again on the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve after decades of urban dwelling. I bring a robust set of professional trainings along with unique personal experiences to my contemplative forest bathing programming which I have offered in places such as urban greenspaces, forest preserves, retreat centres and online. My programming, offered in collaboration with co-facilitators, weaves together a foundational knowledge in neuroscience, psychology and mindfulness with a commitment to inclusion, compassion, community building and sustainability. I am fascinated by the research in the field of forest medicine and have had personal experiences of deep healing and symptom management using mindfulness, meditation and forest bathing/ shinrin-yoku. I am deeply appreciative of all the opportunities I have had to connect with others who are interested in exploring nature’s profound gifts and fostering our commitments to caring for the earth and all her beings. Life Highlights: Professional Training/Positions Supplementary Certifications I grew up in Toronto and love the city for its diversity and vitality, as well as its ravines and parks. I’ve spent decades using my bicycle to explore, travel and commute to work (even in winter) which gave me an intimate view of urban life while enjoying my explorations of urban green spaces. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to camping and canoeing as a youth and have continued to paddle each year with friends for companionship, exercise and the wide-ranging benefit of slow time in nature. During my 30 years of teaching High School, my life was enriched by the enthusiasm, integrity, commitment and positive outlook of students. It has been a great privilege to work with hundreds of young people ready and excited to take action for a more sustainable and just planet. I am currently working seasonally as Course Director (Math and Science) at The Boundless School and I am also a Lead Steward at the Middle Mill site for Toronto Nature Stewards. I look forward to continuing to be an active steward of the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve, habitat to wolves, bear, moose, deer and lynx. We invite you to come join us (in person or virtually) to learn about yourself and the planet. Alicia is a registered psychotherapist and forest bathing, enthusiast. She feels strongly that building circles of support are key to good mental wellness and she has dedicated the past 25 years to helping clients with relational and mental health challenges. She has observed how our relationship with our natural world not only increases our resiliency and care of the earth but can create spaces to expand our circle of support in the world. Paul Gauthier (he/him) is the executive director of the Individualized Funding Resource Centre (IFRC) Society, an organization supporting independence and choice among people living with a disability requiring the assistance of personal support workers for daily living. Paul has provided leadership in promoting EcoWisdom’s Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs among members of the disability community in British Columbia. He is a well-recognized community leader involved in collaborative projects with organizations and park groups, as well as municipal and provincial governments. Paul is a public speaker promoting the rights of people with disabilities. Paul is also a Paralympian gold medalist. He uses mindful nature-connection practices himself to add balance to his very busy lifestyle. Mahnoor is a university student studying neuroscience, human biology, and psychology with her eye on entering medicine. She is simultaneously enrolled in a program to become a professional personal support worker so that she can offer compassionate and respectful assistance to people with disabilities and seniors. Mahnoor enjoys admiring the beauty of the earth and gaining inspiration from her nature walks with her siblings. She is passionate about the arts, both drawing and painting, where nature is one of her greatest muses. What she enjoys most about EcoWisdom programming is the attention paid to inclusive community building as well as the creative nature-immersive methods use to foster a soulful experience. Norma Lelless earned degrees in German Language & Literature, Art History and Theology. She is a Certified Spiritual Director and a CASC Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner. Currently she is earning certification in Enneagram contemplative and breath work practices taught by Russ Hudson and Jennifer Dibb. Norma retired from the College of Registered Psychotherapists (2021) and from her position as a Chaplain at North York General Hospital (2020). She retired as a university instructor in 2014. Norma is interested in Nature and spirituality. She believes that receiving the gift of Nature’s healing properties by attuning oneself to its forms, its rhythm and its melodies is the second most important way to experience the fullness and richness of life. The first is to live, as we were intended to, as responsible, committed caregivers of our Earth. Alyssa is a biomedical sciences student on full scholarship. Engaging in citizen science is a passion of hers and she has studied animals species affected by climate change, ranging from polar bears and beluga whales in the sub-arctic to pink dolphins, caiman, monkeys and understory birds in the Amazon. Alyssa also loves the arts and has completed her grade 9 piano with the Royal Conservatory of Music achieving first class honours with distinction. As a visual artist, she is fascinated by the role that creativity plays within EcoWisdom programming in promoting nature connection and wellness. Alyssa is interested in issues of health equity for people living with disabilities and members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) populations. Jill Satterfield is an international Dharma, mindfulness, and meditation teacher. She integrates somatic and contemplative psychology along with 35 years of Buddhist practice and silent retreats. With her primary teacher, Jill was the first to offer mindful movement on silent retreats at Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation Center over 25 years ago. She was a close student of and taught on Tsoknyi and Mingyur Rinpoche’s retreats. Jill’s Applied Embodied Mindfulness Trainings are part of UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center, Spirit Rock’s Mindful Yoga and Meditation Training and she is currently a mentor for Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Teacher Training. She is a graduate of the Sati Center’s Buddhist Chaplaincy Training. Her organization School for Compassionate Action: Mindfulness and Somatic Practices for chronic pain, illness, trauma, and addictions was taught in hospitals and at-risk facilities. She has also taught others to do the same in New York City for over 10 years. Jill has been featured in and has written for many publications. For more information see: https://jillsatterfield.org Carolynne Crawley, founder of Msit No’kmaq, is Mi’kmaw and also has Black and Irish ancestry and is from Mi’kma’ki territory, also known today as Nova Scotia. But Tkaronto has been her home since a young child. She is dedicated to social and environmental justice and supporting Indigenous led community work related to Indigenous food ways and food security. Carolynne is passionate about reconnecting people with the land, waters, and all beings as there is no separation between us. Carolynne leads workshops for the public and the private sector which support the development and strengthening of healthy and reciprocal relationships based upon Indigenous knowledges that Indigenize existing interactions with the land and by deconstructing colonial and capitalistic thoughts, language, and actions. Carolynne is the founder of Turtle Protectors, a new initiative led by Indigenous Elders and community members to advocate, protect, and support turtle relations and their kin in High Park. She is also a certified Forest Therapy Guide and was a Trainer and Mentor for five years in the practice. She is a Blanket Exercise Facilitator, a Holistic Nutritionist, Storyteller, a Co-Producer of the documentary Reckoning with the Wendigo, and a member of the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle. Carolynne has built school food gardens and has worked in food security for twelve years. Previously, Carolynne worked as a Child & Youth Worker for twenty years. She can be found speaking at events that center around social, food, and environmental justice. Kim Dunlop has worked as a massage therapist and teacher for 20 years. She has co-owned two therapeutic clinics, taught at the Shiatsu School of Canada, led a variety of self-care workshops, and served as a meditation guide for many years. Her former career as a dancer and choreographer gave her a solid background in body mechanics with the intimate understanding of how the body heals itself and the steps needed for recovery. She is writing a blog on self-care that you can find at www.kimldunlop.com. Kim continues to embody… self-care practices for her own physical, mental and emotional health and the well-being of her family. Rosemary Anderson is passionate about learning, living a lifestyle that promotes wellness, and assisting people to be as healthy as possible. She has practiced physiotherapy for 40+ years and osteopathy since 2004. More info is on her website: beachphysioosteopathy.ca. Rosemary is grateful to have supported Kari during the 8-day onsite portion of her Forest Therapy training years ago and to have had opportunities since to assist with the Forest Therapy Programs Kari has led online and in urban parks/ ravines. Rosemary grew up and still lives in the Beaches area of Toronto where her family had a canoe at the Silverbirch boathouse. She spent one month every summer swimming, canoeing, and camping growing up and has continued connecting to nature as an adult. Rosemary walks and pole walks daily and appreciates the beauty of nature within her neighbourhood, especially at Kew Gardens Park and Glen Stewart Ravine in Toronto where being among the trees reminds her of Narnia. Heather has a busy household that includes her husband, two children and several rescue animals. With her husband Adam, she runs a small home-based graphic design and t-shirt printing business. They work closely with several animal sanctuaries from concept and design, to printing and sales to raise funds for animal care. Her home is filled with plants. Her job at a flower shop brings her much joy as she engages in conversation with customers about what a particular plant or flower might represent as a gift to someone in need of uplifting. Creativity feeds her soul. Heather is an avid crafter and has worked alongside a fused-glass artist for the last twenty-three years. Heather has always had a deep connection to the natural world and is the recipient of the EcoWisdom scholarship for a person of Indigenous heritage. She is excited to share her knowledge of nature connection to support self-care and wellbeing as a member of the EcoWisdom team. Mary-jo, a yoga teacher for over 30 years, is passionate about diversity, inclusion, ecology and our visceral and collective community. As a health & life coach she incorporates her background in psychology, mindfulness meditation and yoga therapy to bring the best, in bringing out the best in people. It is her belief that if we make a way, we find a way that will include everybody even those who don’t think they can – because we can. A lover of animals, nature and life, mary-jo is an avid sailor, gardener, writer, yogi and chef alongside a healthy dose of activism, professional and volunteer work. A single-mother of two mary-jo thinks green, acts locally, lives sustainably, and strives to leave the world a better place. She is thrilled to be a guest speaker for EcoWisdom’s six-month Nature and Forest Therapy training program. Harriet was actively engaged in community development and disability advocacy when, in March 2020, she became ill with Covid-19. She developed complicated and life-changing post-infection conditions including Long Covid, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and Chronic Migraines. These health issues forced her to leave her role running a community project in inner-city London and reimagine her life. Harriet felt a longing to be in nature, but the physical limitations associated with her illnesses and concerns about reinfection made most nearby urban green spaces inaccessible to her. After training as an Integrative Forest Therapy Practitioner (in a modified manner), she has gone on to run online Forest Bathing sessions for people with Long Covid. She has discovered that you do not need to hike in wilderness areas to feel connected to the natural world. Taking an intentionally mindful approach to watching a snail on a leaf or following clouds moving across the sky can be powerful experiences. She is a passionate advocate of the Social Model of Disability commonly used in Disability Studies and has experience making programs inclusive for herself and others through appropriate accommodations. You can find out more about Harriet and her work through her website www.kindredsoil.co.uk. Harriet is thrilled to join the EcoWisdom team and very excited about their unique approach which includes a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and accessibility. Kim is an EcoWisdom-certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. Kim is the co-founder and leader of South Fraser Active Living Group, a peer support group of Spinal Cord Injury BC, she has organized many outdoor social activities such as park picnics and adaptive kayaking adventures. She now co-facilitates Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs in-person and online. As a former social worker, she is especially impressed by the way nature programming can reduce social isolation. Photo Credit: Allison Youssef Linda is an EcoWisdom certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. She is also a writer, traveller, and a national advocate for accessibility. Linda has used a mountain-climbing wheelchair called a trail rider to hike Mount Everest. As a retired community health nurse, Linda is excited about co-facilitating Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs to build social support and resiliency among people of all ages and abilities. Photo Credit: Allison Youssef Punki is an EcoWisdom-certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. She co-hosts a live radio program and has participated in Theatre Terrific, where opportunities in the arts are promoted for people of all abilities. Karen also consults on research projects on behalf of EcoWisdom. As a student of disability studies, sociology and anthropology, Karen is particularly interested in co-facilitating Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs to foster community capacity building and a sense of belonging. Photo Credit: Allison Youssef Charlotte Sista C Ferrell is Host/Producer of the CJSF.ca SuLuAu radio show and a 100+ episode Powered by Age podcast series. She is considered a STARR because she is a Speaker, Teacher, and Author, who helps people Revitalize or Reimagine their stories. Her 20 plus years’ experience as a university health and humanities professor, Registered Dietitian, and poet have resulted in her being an inspirational mentor who helps people enjoy the healing power of expressing their lived experiences through a variety of creative methods. People of all ages and nationalities attest how her poetry books, From Pillows to Pillars and Heart Balm-Just for You, have built their confidence in overcoming life’s challenges. Charlotte holds B.Sc. and M.A. degrees from Wayne State University, and a ‘retirement age’ B.Sc. degree in Digital Cinema and Video Production from The Art Institute of California-Hollywood. Two of her short films, One Score and 17 Nights and, Sisters Out of the Box, have won festival awards in ‘social issues’ and ‘audience inspiration’ categories. Charlotte looks forward to co-creating exciting, experiential educational activities with EcoWisdom. Whether sitting quietly in a tree as a child, or exploring trails and lakes as an adult, I have always been nurtured by the natural world, and found it to be a source of much peace, joy and adventure. This deep connection led me to study Biology and Environmental Studies, allowing me to work as a naturalist in parks across Canada, and as a high school science teacher. As a lifelong learner, I have received additional teaching qualifications in the social sciences and Indigenous Issues. I have also completed an MA in theology/spirituality and a diploma in spiritual companioning from University of Toronto, as well as a certificate in Expressive Arts from Fleming College. Retirement allows me time to enjoy reading, piano and art, to volunteer with a citizen’s climate action group, and as an online responder with a crisis text line. I encourage people to explore and deepen their connection with nature for their own wellness, and to help empower environmental activism. I am very happy to bring my interests to my role as mentor and am excited to join the EcoWisdom team! Felicia Assenza is a Naturopathic Doctor whose own healthcare experiences lead her to discover the benefits of naturopathic medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at McMaster University, majoring in Biology & Psychology and went on to earn her Doctor of Naturopathy degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. Felicia aims to share knowledge and experiences gained on her own journey to help others on their health journeys. Gentle curiosity guides her practice and much time is spent in office visits exploring symptoms and making connections to discover their root cause. She also loves food and gardening and believes both are among the most powerful medicines. Dr. Assensa is very pleased to be a guest speaker for EcoWisdom’s six-month Nature and Forest Therapy training program. In her teaching she highlights deepening our connection to plants by understanding their cultural significance and medicinal properties. She offers tips for making teas using a variety of commonly found flowers, plants, and sprigs from evergreen trees.
Life Highlights:
Professional Training/Positions
Professional Links:
EcoWisdom Team
Kari Krogh
David Gordon
Alicia Excell
Paul Gauthier
Mahnoor Khan
Norma Lelless
Alyssa Krogh
Jill Satterfield
Carolynne Crawley
Kim Dunlop
Rosemary Anderson
Heather Coulis
Mary-Jo Fetterly
Harriet Hamid-Collett
Kim Egger
Linda McGowan
Karen (Punki) Van Biesen
Charlotte Ferrell
Beth McKinlay
Felicia Assenza