The Forest Educator
We help new and experienced Forest Educators
deliver transformational nature experiences for students of all ages through online and in-person trainings.
"Educators need skills, games, crafts & tools that connect with today's youth. The skills I share have worked consistently for my 35 years as a wilderness educator, to deliver outstanding outcomes & Results." - Ricardo Sierra
Self-Paced, On-Demand
Online Trainings for Forest Educators
On-Site and In-Person
Forest Educator Skills Training
For educators, youth leaders, after-school instructors or camp counselors
who work primarily with elementary & middle school aged students.
Spring Forest Educator
Skills Intensive
Four days of hands-on
learning & earth connection.
wilderness skills • nature crafts • awareness games
wild foods • student engagement • team challenges
woodcarving • tarp shelters • rites of passage
Includes lodging, food, all materials & tools.
No Experience Necessary.
Autumn Forest Educator
Skills Retreat
Three days of hands-on
learning & earth connection.
bushcrafting skills • nature crafts • foraging walks
campfire cooking • program design • group challenges
willowcraft • tarp shelters • animal tracking
Includes lodging, food, all materials & tools.
No Experience Necessary.
Need Powerful Content just for Forest Educators?
Check out The Forest Educator Podcast!
Download or Stream interviews with Nature Educators, Advocates, Writers & Leaders like
Angela Hanscom, author of Barefoot and Balanced, or Dan Gardoqui of Lead with Nature or
Linda McGurk, author of Open Air Life and There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather.
available on
Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, Podbean, Goodpods, Podcast Index, Podyssey, Castbox, & Pandora and more...
The Forest Educator Testimonials
"Our children depend on us to prepare them for a changing, uncertain world.
Now is the time to plant the seeds of understanding and leadership, that will grow a future for everyone and all life on this planet." -Ricardo Sierra
Get to Know Your Forest Guide:
Ricardo Sierra
Ricardo's journey into nature education began in 1985 as a summer camp counselor, augmenting his own wilderness skills training that continues today. Over the last 35 years, he has led, taught, directed and facilitated programs in summer camps, day long workshops, intensive trainings, after school programs and festivals, (and others).
He's an advocate for getting our youth connected to nature and brings a wealth of knowledge hard won from decades of experience.
He enjoys helping people build their own uniquely inspired programs and building positive mentoring relationships with anyone who is passionate about helping the world be a better place.
Listen to Ricardo's TEDx Talk on Saving the iGeneration from Nature Deficit Disorder
Ricardo shares the concept of the 'Natural Advantage' , which is so important to help all of us mitigate the residual effects of the Digital Age and what we can do to help ensure that future generations can build a lasting connection to the natural world.
Some of my experience includes:
Schools & Organizations
Ricardo Sierra has designed and delivered programs for the following:
Waldorf School
Class Trips & Programs
Aurora Waldorf School
Brooklyn Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Baltimore
River Valley Waldorf School
Kimberton Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Cape Cod
City of Lakes Waldorf School
Green Meadow Waldorf School
Summerfield Waldorf School
Susquehanna Waldorf School
Tamarack Waldorf School
Emerson Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Lexington
Washington Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Garden City
Rudolf Steiner School New York City
Willowood Waldorf School
Nature Programs & Trainings
Catskill Outdoor Education Corps-Americorps
Otsego Land Trust
Omega Institute-Rhinebeck NY
Earth Kinship Conference
Alabama Family Retreat
Warren-Wilson College
Sienna College
Syracuse University
SUNY ESF
Paul Smith's College
Baltimore Rites of Passage
Unitarian Universalist
Coming of Age
Long Island Homeschool
Hartwick College
Pine Lake Environmental Campus
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County
Leaf Council on Alcoholism & Addictions
Berkshire Mountain
Search & Rescue
Madrone Audubon Society
Rancho Santa Fe Survival Camp
Berkshire Farm for Youth
TLC Child & Family Services
Caritas Creek Environmental Ed
The Adirondack Mountain Club
In-School Field Trips, Youth Workshops &
After School Programs
Midtown West Public School
Margaretville Central School
Andes Central School
Stamford Central School
Schenevus Central School
Worcester Central School
Cherry Valley Central School
Laurens Central School
Gilboa Central School
Roxbury Central School
Cooperstown Central School
Morris Central School
Edmeston Central School
Hunter Central School
Windham Central School
Downsville Central School
Charlotte Valley Central School
South Kortright Central School
Milford Central School
Riverside Elementary School
Jefferson Central School
Poughkeepsie Middle School
Hawk Circle Camps, Expeditions & Programs
Morning Star Camp
East Wind Camp
Southwind Camp
North Wind Winter Camp
Coyote's Quest Expedition
Scout Awareness Camp
Yellowknife Camp
Cedar Moon Camp
Adirondack Expedition
Firefox Camp
Hatchet Camp
Juniper Retreat
Earth Skills Correspondence Course
Eagle's Gift
Red Deer Camp
Wolverine Survival Camp
Artemis' Journey
Hawk's Hearth Camp
Walkabout Camp
Cottonwood Camp
Riverwillow Camp
Earth Skills Semester Program
Circle of the Seasons Program
Harvest Hope Festival