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Laura Burki - She/HerDirector | ECE | B.Ed | Forest EducatorIt all started as a little girl who never really felt like she fit in. I spent hours outside in my backyard and climbing trees as a child. Playing, creating and imagining up stories with the world around me. I found a passion for the ocean when I went to Camp Thunderbird as a young girl and quickly caught on to my love and desire to be outside and be with others.
I made my way through College getting an Outdoor Recreation & Leadership development diploma and spent many years working in forests, mountains and on the ocean. My academic background is complete with certificates in Early Childhood and a degree in Education along with many years of hands on experience in the field as an educator, manager and friend. I am grateful to have completed my Community Herbalist Certificate with Pacific Rim College as well at the end of 2020, and will use this new knowledge while teaching in the forest. Living my whole life on the west coast of Vancouver Island, right on the edge of beautiful forests and oceans, has gifted me with an unbounded love for nature. Playing outside, getting muddy, finding creatures and breathing in the fresh air has been an integral part of my life, and I consider it a privilege to be in a position where I can support these experiences for children and their families! Now nestled back on the west coast with my partner, dog and cat I look forward to meeting new kiddos and visiting with past families to see what adventures awaits us. My passion for the natural world around us is what I hope to share with many families that come to Seedlings. |
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Abbie Rechert - She/HerRA | Forest EducatorI am originally from the rolling hills of Derbyshire, England and spent my entire childhood surrounded by nature, trees and dirt. From then to now, my favorite pastimes still include jumping in puddles, climbing trees and wild swimming. You can usually find me ankle deep in mud, or stopping for the 50th time on a short walk to check out a cool shell I found at the beach. I completed my Forest School Practitioner Training in the UK back in 2018 and since then have worked a variety of wonderful roles, but always circled back to nature and the outdoors. I have led summer camps for teens, been hunting for dragons with toddlers at Forest School and worked 1:1 Support roles for children with disabilities. I believe in the idea that everyone has a little bit of magic in them and we just need the right people and environment around us to help us shine!
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Aisling Doolan - She/HerForest EducatorHello! My name is Aisling (ash-ling) and I am an artist and proud earthling with lots of creative expression to share! I love to dance, make music and experiment with art of all kinds. I am deeply connected to the earth and have been self studying plant medicine and farming for many years. I am passionate about encouraging others to find their creative expression and embrace spontaneity! I feel children inspire me to expand my imagination and realize the unique experience we all have here on earth as beautiful human beings, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
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Cole Wood - He/HimRA | Forest EducatorI’m a current UVIC student but grew up in the Vancouver area. My love for the outdoors started when my mother sent me to a summer camp at Cultus Lake. All it took was one week and I was hooked. I’ve been involved in summer camp for 15 years since, eventually working at camps and meeting my closest friends. Now as an adult, I am so thankful for the development I experienced in the outdoors and am grateful I can always turn to nature when I need a break from life and ground myself. I’m looking forward to helping kiddos foster their own relationships with nature through the Seedlings program.
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Callie Hogan - She/Her
I am a recent graduate from Mount Royal University with a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership and have a background in working with children of all ages. I love sharing my connection to nature with others and strongly believe that spending time outside is a necessity, especially when growing up. It is very rewarding to watch children learn and grow in an outdoor setting and I am excited to be a part of that experience. Outside of work and school I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and can also be found searching for unique plants and animals. I am looking forward to the coming school year!
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Ellen Wilker - She/HerRA | Forest EducatorBio coming soon!
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Emily DimmerRA | Forest Educator | ECE (in progress)Hi folks! My name is Emily! Originally from Nova Scotia, I have been out west for upwards of 7 years now. This beautiful place has become home to me due to the landscapes and natural environment it has to offer. I grew up with a deep love and interest for the outdoors - always spending my time out in the forest at the end of my road. As I grew into adulthood, I found myself finding passions within hiking, trail running, climbing, biking, camping - essentially anything that allowed me to spend tranquil time outside. I have always found that nature has a way of bringing a sense of stillness to my mind and peace to my heart, and I have always enjoyed sharing that with those around me. Aside from spending most of my time outdoors, I often find myself playing an array of different instruments (I’m Nova Scotian, after all!), and am always so excited to share the collectiveness of music with others. I have spent years working with children from all walks of life and all diverse abilities, and am looking forward to sharing our natural environment and communities with the Seedlings kiddos!
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Erika Acuzar - She/HerRA | Forest EducatorI have loved nature and the outdoors since childhood. From hiking to camping to mushroom foraging, there is so much I love to do in the outdoors! My love for nature is what encouraged me to move to Vancouver Island from the big city. I am blessed to have grown up in the West Coast, where the mountains, ocean, and forest are at any corner, and nature is abundant. I have a passion for childcare, and I find that children have a natural inclination for the outdoors. In my spare time, I love reading, baking, sewing, and gardening. I am so excited to teach the kiddos about our natural world through the Seedlings program.
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Hannah Twa - She/HerForest EducatorVictoria’s own (supposed) otter whisperer, Hannah grew up on the west coast constantly surrounded by nature, and involved in many outdoor summer camps and clubs throughout the year. Hannah enjoys hiking, kayaking and a new found love of surfing. She is excited to be joining Seedlings Forest Education, and can’t wait to explore the outdoors with the kids at seedlings!
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Jenna Bentzen - She/HerRA | Forest EducatorBeing surrounded by mountains, forest and the ocean all my life has given me a zest for adventure. Ever curious, as a child I was always exploring the natural environment around me; climbing trees, building forts, swimming and creating outside. As an adult I still have this adventurous spirit and love finding new places to explore. Nature has always allowed me to tap into my imagination and offers much inspiration for my art practice. Besides drawing and painting you can find me knitting, hiking, riding my bike or reading. I am ecstatic to be able to share these experiences with everyone at Seedlings and engage in our natural world with everything it has to offer.
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Miriam Mandryk - She/Her | EAForest EducatorI grew up in a tiny town in Northwest Germany and I always loved to get lost in time in space while running through the fields around my parent's house, picking berries and going for long hikes in the woods.
Starting at the age of 14, I led weekly girl's groups for 15 years and enjoyed working as a youth camp counsellor for outdoor summer camps all over Europe with up to 200 kids. My love for nature and our planet made me study Geography, and my passion for helping others thrive made me work for one of the biggest family and education oriented foundations in Germany until I packed my backpack to find a place and an occupation to combine my passions. So: here I am! I strongly believe in the idea that everybody should have the opportunity to grow and to thrive towards the sky. From from my personal experience I know that we all need space, support and the right environment to do so. Grateful for having all this in my life, I'd love to accompany and support the Seedlings and their families a little bit along their way. |
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Sage Morrison - They/ThemRA | ECE-A | Forest EducatorOriginally from England, my family and I moved to North Saanich when I was 4 years old. The home I grew up at had property to play on as well as a large parcel of park land attached to the back of our yard. My sister and I spent many afternoons and weekends adventuring and exploring the forest, getting lost, geocaching, and enjoying nature. My family and I would often travel the Island in the summertime visiting many different campgrounds, which only enhance my love of being in nature. As often as I can, I spend my time outside. Reading, writing, relaxing, letting the sunshine recharge me like a solar cell. Since graduating high school, I have worked on and off in the childcare field. The positions I have held in this field have been the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences. Children are amazing, and being part of their lives, making a positive impact on their day is very fulfilling. One of my favorite things about working with children is seeing them grow, learn, and thrive, and what better place to do those things than outdoors in nature?! Another awesome part about working with children? Being gifted with keepsakes such as pictures, paintings, and special rocks. These small tokens of gratitude and genuine appreciation really make my work special.
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RA | Forest EducatorSarah Hughes - She/HerGrowing up here in Victoria, I have always had the privilege of a close relationship with nature. As a child, I could be found climbing up mountains and running through the forests playing “squirrels'' and building fairy houses with my dad, or brewing magic potions in the garden and designing sandcastles at the beach with my mom. Playing outside allowed me to develop a deep affection for our natural world. The ocean and the forest have always provided me with the space for insight, clarity, and compassion. With a background in floral design, these days I intertwine the joy of creating and my love for nature. I enjoy crafting, writing, reading, gardening, and exploring, and can’t wait to share these experiences with the families at Seedlings!
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Zeta Lay - She/HerForest EducatorI am the daughter of a forester, a mother and a passionate advocate for children’s rights. Growing up in a small rural community tucked in the Selkirk Mountains, I spent many hours exploring rocks, rivers, lakes, creeks, hot springs, meadows, trees, foot trails and dirt roads. These experiences instilled in me a sense of wonder, fascination and deep reverence for nature. Drawn to outdoor adventures, I have had the privilege of participating in numerous outdoor recreational activities in both the front and backcountry. If you are looking for advice on outdoor apparel for yourself or your kiddo, I can share from my thirteen years of experience working in the outdoor retail industry. My favourite activities are hiking, camping, paddle boarding, rock climbing, skiing, gardening and birding. You can find me reading, writing, cooking, baking, and playing the piano when not outside. I look forward to the opportunity of being with your kids and witnessing their growth through their exploration of nature.
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