Inclusive Nature-Based Mindfulness for Educators – Winter 2026

Inclusive Nature-Based Mindfulness for Educators

4 x 60 Minute Sessions at 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern time on Monday Feb 2, 9, 16 and 23

You will be guided by an experienced team of nature therapy guides who are also educators in a series of nature-based mindfulness classes.

You will be invited to experience as you learn about a number of practices that can be easily adapted to be accessible and inclusive of people of all ages and abilities/disabilities. We will explore important mindfulness and nature-connection concepts associated with relatable themes.

Session #1: STONE
Grounding to bring calm to the mind and body.

Session #2: TREE
Nurturing our understanding of reciprocal relationships within nature.

Session #3: WATER
The practice of letting go of what is not useful to us and receiving what is supportive.

Session #4: FORESTS
We will learn about building and celebrating diverse and inclusive communities.

Facilitator

Kari Krogh (she/her)

Dr. Krogh holds a PhD in Applied Psychology and an MA in Special Education and Adaptive Instruction from OISE/U of Toronto. She has worked as a professor of Disability Studies and health researcher. She has extensive experience working alongside children, adults and seniors with disabilities. Kari, who lives with multiple disabilities herself, co-founded EcoWisdom in response to the well-being effects she experiences after moving off-grid onto the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve. She now co-facilitates accessible nature therapy programs and trains nature therapy guides with a focus on inclusive practices. Kari has collaborated with academics on several studies that have measured significant improvements in memory/concentration, depression/anxiety, pain, fatigue and rumination among participants in EcoWisdom’s nature programs, specifically those who live with disability, chronic illness and/or fatigue. Kari is a nature-print artist and certified mindfulness meditation teacher. Kari is happiest in the company of her friends, including the cedar, oak and white pine.

Facilitator

Dave Gordon (he/him):

Dave has over 30 years experience working as a secondary education teacher. His life has been enriched by the enthusiasm, integrity, commitment and positive outlook of hundreds of students involved in the Environment Club and the Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) in Environment program which he established. Dave has received several educator and community engagement awards for his commitment to environmental education. His school, Dunbarton High School, won the Greenest School on Earth Award due to numerous innovative greening initiatives. As the Course Director (Math and Science), Dave has worked seasonally for the past 5 years at The Boundless School. An educational setting for students who experience a range of socioeconomic and disability/mental health-related barriers. He finds observing success in his students enormously satisfying and attributes it to learning on the land (600 acres) and having a range of adaptive supports in place. He manages the land of the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve and volunteers with the environmental education organization, EcoSpark.

Facilitator

Brandy Cook (she/her):

Brandy, an Indigenous wellness advocate, is a certified EcoWisdom Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, holding both a diploma in Holistic Nutrition and a Culinary Certificate. Growing up connected to the land, her Ts’msyen heritage instilled a deep respect for nature and a passion for helping others find healing in it. Brandy has dedicated her life to supporting individuals with disabilities and as an avid nature and animal lover. She brings a deep sense of empathy and connection to her work, including her engagement as an Instructor with EcoWisdom’s Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certification training program. Brandy’s mission is to empower others on their journey, helping them rediscover balance through meaningful connections with the natural world.

Facilitator

Kim Dunlop (she/her)

Kim Dunlop serves as a lead instructor and co-facilitator with EcoWisdom, supporting the team of mentors for their Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certification training program. With over 20 years of experience as a Registered Massage and Shiatsu Therapist, Kim also has a strong background in Eastern Medical Theory and mindfulness meditation. She previously owned a health clinic and has also been involved as a research assistant for studies on accessible nature wellbeing programs. Kim offers educational workshops for health professionals and guides mindfulness meditation community programs. Kim is passionate about empowering others with knowledge about self-care options, including taking time to be with nature.

Facilitator

Laurette Yells (she/her)

Laurette is a certified EcoWisdom Nature and Forest Therapy Guide who was very fortunate to grow up camping. This instilled in her a love of the outdoors. Being outside soothes her soul and rejuvenates her. She is honoured and humbled to have received EcoWisdom’s first Nancy Lear Scholarship. Nancy was a powerful advocate within the disability community who was instrumental in promoting the use of EcoWisdom’s nature programs as a form of peer support. EcoWisdom’s philosophy of making nature experiences accessible to everyone really resonates deeply with Laurette as someone with a lifelong disability. She works within non-profit organizations that serve and are led by people with disabilities. Laurette especially appreciates EcoWisdom’s approach that values inclusion and expertise based on lived experience. She is passionate about sharing her love of nature by continuing to co-facilitate online and in-person Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs. She is excited to contribute to growing our EcoWisdom Community as a mentor to support the Nature and Forest Therapy Guide training program.

Facilitator

Alicia Excell (she/her)

Alicia is a retired psychotherapist who has dedicated the past 25 years to helping clients with relational and mental health challenges. She has also taught disabled students within a vocational high school and worked for many years as an early childhood music educator. Alicia feels strongly that building circles of support are key to good mental well-being. As a forest bathing enthusiast, she has been fascinated by the powerful ways that nature-connection programs can expand our networks of support in the world. Specifically, Alicia has observed that as our relationship with our natural world deepens, so too does our resiliency and ability to care for the earth. Alicia enjoys finding moments to mindfully and meaningfully connect with nature within urban settings.

Optional Supplementary Resources for Nature-Based Mindfulness