Meg (she/her) grew up in the heart of the Driftless region among the bluffs and marshes of La Crosse, WI. Her love of the outdoors was nurtured in childhood during many hiking, camping, paddling, and backpacking outings with her parents, experiencing the solitude and wonder of wild spaces.In addition to working with Wild Harvest, Meg is a pediatric OT, supporting children of all abilities and their families to promote health and wellbeing through engagement in meaningful activities. She is particularly passionate about the importance of nature connection in supporting holistic child development. In 2019, she completed her Nature-Led certification with OT Kathleen Lockyer, an approach that connects the science of human health/development and the wisdom of nature connection. In her free time, you'll find Meg playing outside with her husband Rob and 2 daughters, Anna and Zoe, making plant and bird friends, wandering by the Yahara River, singing songs and having dance parties. She is grateful to be part of the Wild Harvest community and to see the world through children's eyes. 

Kati Lambert (she/her) grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois (a northwest suburb of Chicago). Her love of secret wild places within urban spaces took seed there. She explored the often forbidden underground water tunnels and patches of mysterious forest that welcomed the diverted water creeks. She caught fire flies and played "ghosts in the graveyard" till the sun went down. Kati attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and graduated with a B.F.A. in painting and drawing and later the UW - Madison graduating with a M.S. in Counseling Psychology. Kati's Nature Connection journey began in 2015 when she joined Wild Harvest's first Trees and Saplings family program as a participant with her three children. She's been on a deep dive into Nature Connection practices ever since and has brought her entire family along for the ride. Kati is currently  a student of Earth Nectar (Sarah Fontaine): The Voice of the Animals, Mentoring Path and a student of Jon Young's 8 Shields Institute and Living Connection First. Kati is also a professional illustrator and owner of Coyote Fire Arts.  In her spare time you can find her making paints and inks from plants, stones, and mud. (Look for her occasional creative/art workshops).  If she’s not painting or drinking coffee, she’s tracking animals with her family at the pond behind their home on occupied Ho-Chunk land.

Justin (he/him) is a dad to 3 boys, spouse, and caretaker of chickens. He grew up in Illinois working summer jobs mowing lawns, hauling dirt, pulling tassels in corn fields, and working on survey crews. These experiences outside, in all kinds of weather, in the smells of morning dew, and stumbling upon wildlife are memories that are reawakened around Wisconsin's lakes, fields, forests, and the Ice Age Trail.

Justin is committed to nonviolence as a way of life (albeit a work in progress), as well as a method for social change. He and his wife Andrea practice nonviolence in their activism and social justice, their intentional parenting, their land ethic, and wellness practices. Justin left his full-time job in 2019 to pursue making change in the world at the intersection of racial healing and climate justice. He has been mostly stay-at-home dad-ing since that time, trying to raise anti-racist, climate aware boys (and chickens). 

Donelle (she/her) grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and loved exploring the creeks, beaches, and bluffs of Grant Park, one of the last (and largest) remaining natural areas in the metro area with public access to the great lake.

She moved to Dane County in 2020 and finding the Wild Harvest community was the best thing that could have happened. She is inspired by the enthusiasm of children and thrives on making connections and witnessing growth in others (and herself).  

She brings a spirit of curiosity and openness and loves fishing, foraging, climbing trees and singing. She feels whole when in reciprocity, when in harmony with the life around her.

These passages, along with so many others from Robin Wall Kimmerer, speak to her: “Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street to a sacred bond.” “Let us live in a way that Earth will be grateful for us.” 

Michaiah is a father, food magician, lifelong student of the natural world and wild ways, and an emerging artist and facilitator mindfulness, movement, and transformative experiences.  Building from experiences in Non-Violent Communication and "men's work," he strives to embody a consciousness rooted in the heart in order to unearth the full aliveness within himself and anyone he shares a connection.  He loves to dance at the drum circle with his children, make music in any moment like the birds, make reasons to laugh, listen to the wind and rain through the leaves, and craft simple and complex creations of food as medicine. 

I grew up in Northern Illinois amidst burr oaks & shagbark hickory, amongst bloodroot and mayapples, with cousins cardinal, blue jay, great horned owl, raccoon, opossum, coyote.  I am excited to be following new paths in more direct awareness, connection and gratitude to these animal and plant friends. I'm most filled up these days tracking animals, foraging, listening for bird language, and hunting, which bring me deep connection to my ancestors, the land & animals, & the ancestors of this land. This feels like the path I was born to walk, looking for my whole life. I hope to always be an eager, humble & playful participant in the wild, from now onwards!  

I worked for a decade as a RN, primarily in labor and delivery. I enjoyed serving the breadth of the communities I lived in, supporting families in a transformational time.  I am now parenting two young children, who love soaking up the outdoors and remind me how to let go and play full out.  I'm excited to join the Wild Harvest mentoring team this year, to share my awe & curiosity in the natural world, my attention to individual needs & group process, and my love of people.

Coral Conant Gilles (she/her/hers) grew up in the suburbs of St Louis picking her way through overgrown woods. Her family camped and she was deeply involved in an adventure-based scout group, but it wasn’t until she had the opportunity to work at a backpacking camp in New Mexico that she found people she felt held similar connections to the Earth. As a young woman in Portland, OR she discovered storytelling and deep community - human and non-human. Coming into oneself is a beautiful thing.

Since moving to Madison in 2013, Coral has become a professional storyteller and found community within Wild Harvest. Coral works to build curiosity, empathy, and connection with ourselves, each other, and the natural world through storytelling and outdoor exploration. She has been through two years of Wild Harvest’s adult mentoring program and has collaborated for Nature Adventures and Storytelling summer camp during the 2021-24 seasons. Fall 2024 will be her third season as a school year mentor! Coral is grateful, honored, and excited to continue diving into this opportunity.

Coral (often with her two kids (born 2014 and 2017) and her partner) can frequently be found exploring wild places, camping, paddling, foraging, cross-country skiing, biking, and playing ultimate frisbee. 

Laura McNeill (she/her/hers) I grew up in Virginia Beach, VA next to a patch of woods and a creek that barely froze in the winter, where praying mantises navigated leafy bushes and blue herons made their nests in tall pine trees. Running through the woods, my feet knew the story of the earth. It was a knowing that comes from having the space to explore and the time to play. We camped only once while growing up, after which my Dad said 'Never again!', yet he taught me the importance of growing our own food and taking care of the land. I love immersing into each season, getting to know the patterns of plants and animals at various stages, foraging, preserving, fermenting and even giving brewing a try. Through my racial justice work, I’ve gained experience in supporting youth leadership development and cultural repair which I love weaving into the fabric of Wild Harvest. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked with a variety of family groups, ancestral skills, Wild Explorers and Wild Tenders classes. I love being the teacher as well the learner. The kids, animals and plants give voice each week to the wonders surrounding us in any given moment. Listening, with my heart and ears wide open, is where you’ll find me. 

Emily Mortenson (she/ki) Emily was fortunate to be raised in beautiful Driftless WI swimming in the river, climbing sandstone bluffs, and playing in the magical woods. The land has been calling her to nature connection through self, Spirit and community ever since! With a background in social work and yoga, Emily is now sharing those fun skills homeschooling her four children. Wild Harvest Nature Connection has woven an integral role in her family’s life for 6 years and she loves exploring nature with the wonderful kids of Wild Saplings.  

Chelsea Lane (she/her/hers) grew up exploring the rivers, forests, and farmlands of southeastern Minnesota. Experiencing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness during her middle years was a transformative experience. Amongst the white pines, and loon calls she found herself deeply aware of the spiritual and communal power of nature connection. With a background in education she taught young people inside classrooms, and in outdoor education programs around the globe. It was through teaching, and guiding backcountry wilderness experiences (guiding and running a camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, mushing dog sleds along the US/Canada border, and trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro) for people of all ages and abilities that she learned of her aptness in nurturing an attitude of attention, and curiosity. While currently homeschooling her three children, she strives to nurture the same with them. Finding Wild Harvest in 2022 further fostered the connection to self, each other, and nature her family was looking for. When not exploring with her family, you can find her tending her garden, camping out (at least once a month), raising the myriad of animals on her farm, drinking coffee, mountain biking, or making art. She is grateful for the invitation to help mentor this summer.

Leslie's background demonstrates a blend of practical skills, community engagement, and a deep connection to nature. She enjoyed fourteen years as a stay-at-home homeschooling parent which provided her the flexibility of time to deepen into exploring traditional textile production from hand twining wild cordage, learning to weave with a floor loom, and hand tanning buckskins. She has become similarly accomplished in foraging all the wild goodies - nuts, berries, mushrooms. These avenues to connect in ways fundamental, tactile, and untamed to such basic parts of life as food and clothing, have been informative in directing her daily life ever since. 

In that same time, Leslie led several impassioned local advocacy movements including efforts which changed city policy around retaining canopy trees. For her work she has received awards in such diverse realms as local LGBTQ advocacy and historic restoration and preservation.

She also established a modest but rewarding profession offering personalized ceremonies to her local community. Currently Leslie feels called to spend most of her time enthusiastically working to bring everything that she has in passion and organizing skill into reviving a fiber-flax industry in Wisconsin

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She sleeps outside whenever she can.

Colleen Larsen (she/her/hers), feels most alive in spaces where learning, creativity, and nature collide. She has worked at schools and camps around the world and is especially grateful to be a part of the Wild Harvest community. Colleen has a PhD in Education and has experimented with making art from nature since she was a child.  Colleen can't wait to nurture authentic connections to self, others, and the natural world through singing songs, exploring questions, playing games, and creating nature art.  

My name is Clare, and I am a nature-inspired pediatric occupational therapist working in schools throughout southwestern WI. Originally from Eau Claire, WI, I spent my childhood with my 5 older brothers climbing trees, running through the woods, and playing in the creek. As I entered young adulthood, I began to deepen my connection with nature as I explored camping, backpacking, and hiking. As an occupational therapist, I am interested in sensory integration, co-regulation, mental health, mindfulness, and social connection. As an OT student at UW-Madison, I completed my doctoral capstone with OT Kathleen Lockyer at RxOutside, using the NatureLed Approach to pilot a nature connection program at a local public school for students in need of additional social/behavioral support. I love to read, sing, dance, crochet, learn, travel, and play with my cat Bitters. You will always catch me stopping to smell the flowers and forage for some berries :)  

Sena Pollock (she/her) is a longtime Wild Harvest participant and Youth Mentor who is stepping into a new role as an adult Mentor. Sena loves plants and is happiest when surrounded by them. She is passionate about (re)building relationships between humans and the rest of the natural world. She is a skilled cordage maker and an avid forager. Sena is excited to share her curiosity, enthusiasm, and knowledge; to sing songs, play games, tell stories, and cultivate awareness of the world around us.

Sahale (Sa-ha-lee) Burgess has been mentoring with Wild Harvest for 4 years this September, and has been a student for 7. Sahale enjoys dance, music, laughter, and collects quotes from peers. (Please say something if you would like to be left anonymous in the Quotebook.) 

Joey grew up on the far west side of Madison. He knows Owen Conservation Park like the back of his hand, and spent a lot of time there during lockdown. He currently attends UW-Madison and is studying to become a pediatric nurse. In his spare time he enjoys playing ultimate frisbee. Joey is excited to get into backpacking more, and is planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula this summer. He was first introduced to Wild Harvest Nature Connection in 2021 when he participated in "Wild Tenders". He has been a Youth Mentor for several summer camps, and is excited to be an Apprentice Mentor for this summer. He appreciates how creative kids are, and knows that not only will he be a mentor, but a student himself.