Dr. Kari Krogh
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:
Receiving the Royal Society of Canada Alice Wilson Award for Academic Excellence (female emergent scholar)
Representing Canada at WHO Disability Policy Development Congress
Forming a biracial family and adopting our wonderful daughter
Taking my first steps with my physiotherapist after three years in a wheelchair
Experiencing nature’s healing properties with measured neurological improvements
Going on silent retreat in nature for five years & then creating EcoWisdom with my partner Dave
Living off-grid on the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve (since March 2020)
Professional Training/Positions
Senior Research Fellow with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
University Professor in Critical Disability Studies
Post-Doctoral Fellowship with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Doctoral Internship, Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children
Community Development & Qualitative Research Consultant
PhD Human Development and Applied Psychology
MA Instruction and Special Education
BSc Environmental Studies
Supplementary Certifications
Nature and Forest Therapy Guide (6 months)
Interfaith Spiritual Accompaniment, Ontario Jubilee (2 years)
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield with personal mentorship by Jill Satterfield who specializes in leading mindfulness meditation programming that is accessible for people living with disability/chronic illness. Training includes trauma-sensitive approaches and attending to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. (2 years – currently in final stage of completion).
David Gordon
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 andScience) 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.
Life Highlights:
Endless hours playing in the ravines of Toronto
Spending summers outdoors camping in Northern Ontario
Forming a biracial family and adopting our wonderful daughter
Working for 30 years as a teacher with the gift that is the energy and vitality of youth.
Having my school win “Greenest School on Earth” in 2015
Creating EcoWisdom with my partner Kari
Living off-grid on the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve (since March 2020)
Professional Training/Positions
BEs Environmental Studies (Waterloo)
BEd (Toronto)
Professional Links:
Board Member, EcoSpark (8 years)
Member, Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network
WHMIS Train the Trainer Certificate
Alyssa Krogh
Technology/Art/Social Media Advisor and Facilitator
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.
Paul Gauthier
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.
Our Facilitation Team
Alicia Excell, RP
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.
Norma Lelless
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.
Mahnoor Khan – EcoWisdom Communications Coordinator
Mahnoor is a university student studying neuroscience, human biology, and psychology with her eye on entering medicine. She is a certified Personal Support Worker and works at a nursing home where she provides 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.
Kim Dunlop
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
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.
Nancy Lear
? In Memory of Nancy ?