Hi y'all!

Find Your Nature is an offering and exploration that grew from my heart. Over my 15+ years working in the conservation world, I have been inspired by all of those who are working to heal our land, water. and communities. I am called to create a space for people to center, create, and connect, so that we can show up as our best selves to care for the Earth together. Read more about my story and Find Your Nature below.

My Story

I grew up in Powhatan County, Virginia. The backyard of our family home was filled with trees and a tiny stream that I enjoyed exploring. These days I connect regularly with nature by spending time with my cats, gardening, eating dinner in the backyard, walks in the woods, journaling and drawing, getting my feet wet in a cool stream, and trips to the ocean. I believe what the world needs most right now is support to hear our own voice, nurture our relationship with the natural world, and authentically connect with others. I have worked in the conservation world for over 15 years and have been learning how to manage my own anxiety for 20 years. Find Your Nature was born at the cross-section of conservation and mental health.

My Conservation Work: My full time work is with the James River Association as their Restoration Director. Leading collaborative initiatives and building relationships to restore streamside forests across the James River watershed is at the heart of my work. I serve as convener for the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium and the James River Buffer Program. Building trust and bringing our unique gifts to collaboration is only possible when we show up as our authentic selves. It opens the door to a collective energy that is needed during this time when the Earth needs us.

My Inner Work: In my early 20s, I learned I had anxiety that was making me feel sick and was impacting me daily. I still have to manage it, but have learned great tools along the way. I had a therapist that would invite me to walk with her in her garden after each of our sessions, a gentle nudge that helped me find my way back to nature. I participated in a monthly Women's Circle where I learned the importance of community in healing. When the facilitator moved away, a dear friend and I started our own Women's Circle that we led monthly for several years in my home. It was during that time I found Joanna Macy's work that introduced me to terms like eco-grief, ecopsychology, and ecotherapy, and opened my eyes to guided activities that can support us to go deeper, to connect, and to learn from the earth and others. I have found that activities that help me find my center, open up my creativity, and connect me with others and the natural world have played a key role in managing my anxiety. I experienced my first Silent Retreat during New Years to bring in 2020. The pandemic shut everything down the following year, so I created my own solo Silent Retreat, which inspired the start of Seasonal Soul Sessions that I've been doing on my own since 2021, and now offer to others through Find Your Nature.

Starting Find Your Nature: In my conservation work, I started realizing how disconnected so many of us are from the natural world and how that reciprocal relationship between us and nature is the key in its healing. I took an Ecotherapy Certification series to learn more and started weaving ecotherapy practices into my work with groups and team building. I believe we can live in better harmony with the natural world, but we have to be equipped with the tools and practices to stay centered, creative, and connected. That’s why I started Find Your Nature.

Training and Certifications: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, Professional Landscape Architect in Virginia, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 and Buffers Certificate, Level II certificate in Ecotherapy through The EarthBody Institute, certificate in Mental Health First Aid and First Aid/CPR

Listen to My Story