This is a Self-Paced, On-Demand Online Training with rolling enrollment.
COMING May 15th, 2025
Today's nature educators need activities that work.
Each online lesson features a specific spotlight on Forest Education as it relates to your students, their 'nature journey', your program design/structure, your goals and outcomes and much more.
We use worksheets, response & reflection journaling,
quizzes and info-graphics to support your learning.
The course is augmented with pre-recorded skills videos, gear lists, audio stories and other content relevant to becoming a 'Forest Educator' .
You can move through the curriculum/lessons sequentially, or you can pick and choose the lessons or activities that are most needed or useful to you.
Completion Certificates are available.
This course is specifically created for all of the following Forest Educators-
-
Classroom Teachers
-
After School Group Leaders
-
Homeschool Program Educators
-
Naturalists
-
Environmental Educators
-
Summer Camp Counselors
-
Nature Day Camp Leaders
-
Museum Program Facilitators
-
Boy/Girl Scout Troop Leaders
-
Forest School Staff & Educators
-
Nature Art Workshop Leaders
-
Educational Daycare Providers
-
and anyone who works with youth.
What will you learn?
Forest Curriculum & Design
Student Centered Learning
Curriculum Centered Learning
Lesson Planning & Daily Rhythm
Clarity in Goals & Objectives
Program & Activity Assessment
Skills & Tool Inventory
The "Recipe" for Transformation
Program Safety & Hazards Plans
Adaptations & Crisis
Relationships & Community
Welcome, Orientation & Departure
Developing a Program 'Sixth Sense'
(Worksheets, Forms & Lists PDFs)
Forest Skills & Activities
Leading Challenges, Crafts & Games
Tracking Skills- Ten Step Exercise
Tracking Skills- Follow the Leader
Nature Awareness- Quiet Movement
Nature Awareness- Sensory Exercises
Animal Studies & Journaling
Tree Studies & Journaling
Bird Studies & Journaling
Tracking Studies & Journaling
Plant & Wildflower Studies & Journaling
Weather Studies & Journaling
(Video, PDF and Audio Resources)
Nature Crafts & Handwork
Ancient Tools for Modern Youth
Seasonal Gathering & Materials Prep
Stone Tools & Digging Sticks
Gifts of the Trees- Woven Willow Trays
Woodcraft Basics- Wooden Pendants
Leathercraft- Making Deerskin Pouches
Natural Fibers- Cordage & String Skills
Fire Building Skills- Magnesium Methods
Knot Tying-Paracord Survival Bracelets
Willow Craft- Trays & Tongs
The Art of Fire- Coal Burning Bowls
(Video, PDF and Audio Resources)
"Every part of this course is designed with one goal: To be powerfully USEFUL to you, the educator, and your organization, and your students. I've made every effort to give you tools that builds confidence and inspires you to bring a unique experience to your children, teens or adults."
- 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.
"Ricardo helped us grow our North Wind Wilderness Program from a cool idea to a functional and running business. Our classes are in demand, and we are doing more of them. The tools that were delivered to us during our program have been absolutely invaluable!"
Blake Southard | Founder | Rewilding Minnesota | Minnesota
"Working with Ricardo is one of the most inspiring and instructive experiences I have ever done. To say that he puts out 110% while mentoring is an understatement. His passion to share his experience and knowledge is so contagious that you leave each session bursting with enthusiasm, hope, ideas and plans. If you get stuck in your process, Ricardo is always available to help you through to the next step. This personal attention is worth it's weight in gold."
Cory Stevens | Founder/Director | Paleo Play Forest Skills For Kids | Alberta, Canada
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 Becoming a Forest Educator Online Course has ongoing rolling admissions. You can register and begin learning at any time (after the course launch on May 15th, 2025)
◊ Click the green box to register!
◊ Participants get Lifetime Access to Course curriculum and any live 'Ask Me Anything' sessions.