Melanie is a passionate outdoor enthusiast that has always had a great love for children. Since she was a young girl, she always gravitated toward children and felt a natural instinct to nurture. That affection has grown into a passion for teaching. Growing up on the St. Lawrence river, going on biking trips, camping and hiking, Melanie spent her childhood outdoors and understands the value and benefit of time spent in nature. Certified as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) and registered with the College of ECE’s, Melanie has worked in a variety of settings including schools, public daycares, a children’s charity and most recently running a home daycare. She is currently completing her Forest and Nature Practitioner certification with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. Through researching alternative education, Melanie stumbled upon Forest and Nature School and immediately felt the importance of opening a program in her community. She believes every child has a right to create memories in the wild and develop a deep connection with the natural world.

Julie is a champion of all things natural. A loving mother to three daughters, Julie brings a maternal presence to our programming as one of our most valued volunteers. Her passions include art, tending to her garden, living holistically and most importantly, spending time with her grand children. She is a successful business owner of over 30 years and has recently completed her training in Holistic Lifestyle Coaching with the Check Institute. Julie plays an integral part in our programming as our biggest donor and owner of the beautiful land we learn on. Without her support, this program would not be running. Julie helps with the day to day logistics of running our program and with the up keep of the land. You may sometimes see her accompanying our groups on adventures or facilitating art programs for the children.