"When we establish deep 'program roots', we are able to get water, nutrients & resources in changing world. They ensure our long-term success and positive impact..." -Ricardo Sierra
I help Program Directors learn the secrets of Forest Leadership.
Whether you have been promoted to the Big Chair, or you took the leap to start your own Forest School or Program, you've probably quickly realized that the youth program skills you've mastered haven't fully prepared you for the magnitude of new tasks you now have to accomplish.
This course gives you the most important elements you need in an efficient, succinct aproach using video lessons, worksheets and helpful forms.
Save Time.
Make Fewer Mistakes.
Increase Your Impact
Course Certificates are available.
This course is specifically created for all Forest Entrepreneurs, Program Directors or Executive Staff
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After School Program Directors
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Homeschool Group Organizers
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Environmental or Science Program Directors
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Summer Camp Directors
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Nature Day Camp Leaders
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Forest School Leaders & Directors
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Nature Art Program Directors
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Wilderness Adventure Instructors
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and anyone who has their own programs!
Student Earth Leadership program @ Hawk Circle
What will you learn?
The Critical Core Elements
Your Inner Leadership Strength
The Oak Tree Ecosystem
Echo Location
Boundaries & Fear Managment
Program Models & Design Improvement
The Buffalo and the Burdock Root
(Videos, Worksheets & Journals)
Systems Check
The Orientation Process
The Crafts/Materials/Supplies System
Safety, First Aid Gear & Supplies
Staff Hiring, Training & Management
Student & Parent Relationships
The Program Environment & Logistics
(Video, PDF and Audio Resources)
Interdependency & Networking
Community Leadership Skills
Nature Program Advocacy Strategies
Financial Clarity & Forecasting
Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone
Darwin Approach to Program Innovation
Growth Indicators & Routines
(Video, PDF and Audio Resources)
The Root Strength Online Training is packed with actionable content that can help you become a better manager, fundraiser, director or advocate for your program or organization. You can work on what you need most, at your own pace, and let your results bring you back whenever you're ready."
- Ricardo Sierra
Getting Certified
If you need or want a certificate of completion for your course work, please fill out the worksheets & journals for each section and send them to ricardosierra@foresteducator.com
◊ Worksheets
◊ Reflective Journals
◊ The Name you want used in the certificate
We will review your work, and then send you a certificate PDF for you to download, print and use as needed.
The Forest Educator trainings are where I am sharing the formula or 'recipe' we have used at Hawk Circle for over 35 years, to achieve powerful results for children, teens & adults. This formula works because it follows the natural patterns of our ancestor's connection with the natural world for thousands of years. It offers tools for transformation, mental health, creativity and leadership, all things that educators everywhere can use right now."
-Ricardo Sierra
Hawk Circle
Wilderness Education Director
The Root Strength Online Course has ongoing admissions. You can register now at our 'pre-sale' tuition rate which begins May 15th,
or wait for the formal launch on June 15th, 2025)
◊ Click the green box to register!
◊ Participants get Lifetime Access to Course curriculum and any live 'Ask Me Anything' sessions.
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How do I know if I am going to be a good fit for this program?If you are an educator or program director or founder who wants to see your work grow in terms of impact, income and ease of delivery will benefit from this program. It will set you up to see improvements immediately as well as in the long run, so you can do what you love easier and better. If you are unsure and would like a 'no-obligation' consult to discuss your program needs and details, please contact Ricardo at RicardoSierra@foresteducator.com and we can find a good time to talk and answer your questions.
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Do you have any live question and answer sessions?Great question! Ricardo is planning a monthly Ask Me Anything zoom session for participants to join and ask specific questions and get live, immediate answers. However, we don't have dates & times for these sessions set up yet, so the best way to get that info is to get on our Forest Educator Community Mailing List, found at the bottom of every page on the ForestEducator.com website. This is where we will be posting the details for joining our calls. If you DO have immediate questions that can't wait for the live sessions, please email Ricardo or send him a message on social media, (also found on our website) and he will get back to you as soon as possible.
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What if I only have a couple of areas where I need help?This online program can be taught sequentially, moving through each module and lesson, and eventually covering all of the shared content. However, you are also welcome to pick and choose which sections are the most helpful or needed by you or your school/program, and that is fine as well. So you can search through the various lessons and find what you need!
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Do I need to have five years of experience or can I participate as a first time educator?The short answer to this is, you don't need any previous experience at all to get a TON of value from this program. If you are just getting started, this is a course that can help you get off to a great start and get up and running with a minimum of issues and stress. You may go through many sections that are unfamiliar to you if you are new, but that is okay. You can always come back and revisit the materials and info later, as well. If you DO have some nature education experience, then you will probably find that the material covered and lessons and resources to be important, and fit needs or questions that you may have been having already. And you may find ideas and issues that are still new and pertinent to your program or students as well.