Leadership Journey Courses of Study
In remaining true to our slogan that forest school is “going back to the roots of education,” FSTI has created a new Course of Study called Leadership Journeys. It is based on the old idea of Apprenticeships.
The Leadership Journey Course of Study is an opportunity to learn alongside a facilitator embarking upon their own particular Forest School journey. Participants join the facilitator because they wish to follow the same path. These courses of study are designed to bring together a cohort of like-minded people who will support and inspire one another, led by a facilitator who develops the roadmap, locates experts and necessary resources, organizes group meet-ups, and works individually with each participant.Â
Children's Forest Journey:
Planting trees in the ground and hope in hearts!
Start your journey here to share in the principles and practices of the Children’s Forest and how to bring nature connection into the planting and tending of forests for the future generations.
Program Overview
What is the Children's Forest Journey?
The Children’s Forest Journey is a 6-month program to offer nature-based education leaders practical, creative tools and a framework to initiate and plant Children’s Forest projects with your groups in your local areas. You will be guided through the Four Step Journey and given guidance, mentorship and resources that will support your nature programs. Learn how planting trees can deepen the journey for the children, as we restore our forests ecosystems and our experience of ourselves as a beneficial, caretaking key stone species.
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Why Choose This Journey?
To Transform the Vision of a Healthy World for the Future Generations into Reality!
Throughout this course, we will explore some of the following themes:
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- How tending our relationship with ourselves, each other and the land restores our world.
- Tools for developing nature connection practices for yourself and groups.
- The Forest from Seed project – how to gather and plant native tree seeds: developing a reciprocal relationship with nature.Â
- How to plant trees in a meaningful and connective way through a head, heart and hands approach to restore both our culture and our environment.
- How to uplift and restore heritage knowledge of the trees, plants and animals through skills such as foraging and tracking in the landscape.
- Explore how our imagination holds a vital key to responsible action and creative solutions
- How to work with schools through curriculum objectives within the context of a Children’s Forest project.
- How planting native fruit and nut species is important for food sovereignty, ecological restoration, and biodiversity.Â
- The power of song, story and the creative arts to develop future generational thinking.
- Children's Forest as a bridge between landowners and nature deprived communities.
- Bring the richness of ecology into Forest School practice and education through the ongoing tending of Children's Forest.
- Connect with a global network of Forest School & outdoor educators
- Meet guest speakers offering expertise and experience
- Consider what are the gifts of human beings as a key stone species
Please note that the individual session content may follow the natural flow of the group's questions and needs and seasonal considerations.
Journey Syllabus
Your Roadmap to Success
Session 1
May 2nd 4.30-6pm BST; 12:30 pm EDT
Introduction to the core practices and principles of the Children’s forest approach and how the Forest from Seed practices can be woven into a cycle of sacred reciprocity through the gathering of fruits and nuts for food and medicine, saving seed for germination and planting in tree nurseries to later be planted in Children’s Forests.
Session 2Â
June 6th 4.30-6pm BST; 12:30 pm EDT
Exploring Step 1- FOREST EXPERIENCE: Giving children a sense of belonging to nature through Forest School, ancestral skills and core connection practices to develop heart connection with the forest in support of planting being a direct expression of reciprocal care .
Session 3Â
July 11th 4.30-6pm BST; 12:30 pm EDT
 Exploring Step 2 - IMAGINATION: Supporting children to imagine into a healthy natural world for the future generations. Positive envisioning through the creative arts of story and song, movement, art and poetry.
Session 4
Aug 1st 4.30-6pm BST; 12:30 pm EDT
Exploring Step 3- PLANTING: Taking positive, purposeful and practical action towards a bright future, the children plant the trees with their wishes and love for the earth and the children yet to come.
Session 5
Sept 12th 4.30-6pm BST; 12:30 EDT
Exploring Step 4 - TENDING: Tending the forest over the years to come, children develop a long term relationship to the land and experience what it is to be a beneficial species, a steward of the natural world.
Session 6
Oct 24th 4.30-6pm BST; 12:30 EDT
Final debrief session - Practical next steps, guardianship and planning for Children’s Forest, sharing of group experience and wrapping the bundle.
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Meet your MentorsÂ
Anna Richardson
Founder & DirectorÂ
Anna founded the Children’s Forest from her deep passion to connect children to nature through creativity and reverence for life. She has 25 years experience as a nature mentor and forest school leader, working with children of all ages and mentoring adults in plant lore, foraging, nature connection and bushcraft. She has co-authored two books: Learning with Nature and The Children’s Forest.
Pippa Johns
Forest from Seed Director and Permaculture Consultant
Pippa runs the Forest From Seed Project and manages the Tree Nursery where she facilitates children to grow native trees from local seed, for planting Children’s Forests. She has taught Permaculture for over 20 years and is passionate about inspiring people to develop their own connection to land. She has been a tutor for the Permaculture Diploma and developed her own courses in ecological gardening and connection gardening.
Erica Shorter
Facilitator, Program Designer, Planting Co-ordinatorErica is part of the Heartwood team holding, envisioning and communicating about Children’s Forest. She has worked with children and adults for over 15 years as a nature mentor and forest school educator. She co-ordinates and facilitates planting projects, courses and community events. Children’s Forest meets her passion for healthy, joyful belonging and reciprocal relationship with the living world.
Sally Stevens
FSTI Instructor & Children’s Forest Journey FacilitatorÂ
A seasoned early childhood educator and advocate, Sally has always prioritized connecting children to nature. In 2016, she founded the first forest school for Deaf children in the USA in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and soon after, SOL Forest School was founded in the mountains east of Albuquerque, NM. Sally has worked as a FSTI course instructor since 2022. She completed her Children’s Forest training in 2024, and alongside her SOL community, two Children’s Forests have been planted in the high mountain desert to date. Sally is looking forward to facilitating this on-line Journey and feels certain others will be inspired to “plant trees in the ground and hope in the heart”!
Enrollment Details
Start Your Journey Today!
Tuition for the full 6-month journey: $350 |Â For those who are able to pay more, we are accepting funds for scholarships.Â
Payment is due in full to complete enrollment. Some scholarships are available; please email Sally at [email protected] to learn more.
Questions about Your Journey? Contact Anna at [email protected], Erica at [email protected], or Sally at [email protected].Â
To learn more about Children’s Forest, visit www.childrensforest.earth
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From Passion to Reality:
Build Your Farm & Forest School Today!
Start your journey to create a thriving, sustainable Farm & Forest School—whether on a small homestead, urban farm, or rural property—with expert mentorship, actionable resources, and a flexible, customized program designed for your success.
Program Overview
What is the Farm & Forest Leadership Journey?
The Farm & Forest Leadership Journey is a 6-week program designed to help aspiring nature-based education leaders create their own Farm & Forest Schools. Whether you’re launching your dream on a backyard homestead, urban farm, or expansive property, this Journey equips you with tailored guidance, mentorship, and a wealth of resources to make your vision a reality.
Why Choose This Journey?
Transform Your Vision into Reality with Expert Guidance
- Personalized Mentorship: Receive one-on-one and group support to address your unique needs and challenges.
- Actionable Outcomes: Leave with a clear action plan, customizable resources, and the confidence to launch your school.
- Additional Consulting:Â 1:1 consulting and support add-ons available.
Journey Syllabus
Your Roadmap to Success
Over 6 weeks, you’ll cover essential topics for launching your Farm & Forest School. With hands-on guidance and peer collaboration, you’ll develop the skills, plans, and confidence to make your vision a reality.
Join us by Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
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Week 1
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How I Started My Farm & Forest School
(+ Animal Care & Gardening Integration) -
Defining Your Farm & Forest School Vision and Mission
Week 2
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Marketing and Branding for Farm & Forest Schools
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Building Partnerships and Engaging Your Local Community
Week 3
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Infrastructure Planning and Site Development
(+ Risk Management and Safety) -
Environmental Stewardship and Permaculture Practices
Week 4
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Logistics and Operations Management
(+ Farm-to-School Integration) -
Funding Your Farm and Forest School
Week 5
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Hiring and Retention Strategies
(+ Financial Sustainability) -
Curriculum Development for Farm & Forest Schools
Week 6
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Final Steps to Launch Your Farm & Forest School
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Synthesis Project Presentations
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Final Debrief Session
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1:1 Debrief & Mentorship Wrap-Up (Scheduled Individually)
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Meet your Mentors and their Farm & Forest Journey!
Talon and Travis Holleman, Co-Founders and Program Directors of ROOTS Farm and Forest School
Talon and Travis Holleman are the visionary co-founders of ROOTS Farm & Forest School, a transformative educational program located on their 2.7-acre homestead in Sussex County, Delaware. Their journey from Baltimore, Maryland, where they have been together since the age of 14, to creating a life centered around family, nature, and education, reflects their deep commitment to fostering a meaningful and sustainable lifestyle.
Talon Holleman, RN Talon is a Registered Nurse, certified Children’s Yoga Teacher and a 200-hour Yoga Instructor. She has completed the Forest School Teacher Institute's Teacher and Director Training. She is currently enrolled in the Therapeutic Forest Co's: Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders. Talon has also completed the Association of Nature-Based Educator Training and additional Outdoor Inclusivity Training. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, Talon's passion for integrating mindfulness and play into children's lives is a cornerstone of ROOTS' philosophy. She is dedicated to helping others find their passions, create fulfilling lives, and embrace inclusion through personalized attention.
Travis Holleman, Master Gardener and Naturalist Travis brings his extensive experience as a Master Gardener and his training as a Naturalist to ROOTS. He has completed the Forest School Teacher Institute's Teacher and Director Training. He specializes in regenerative agriculture, permaculture design, and sustainability. Travis manages the homestead's operations, ensuring it serves as a dynamic, living classroom. He practices Socratic questioning with the children, encouraging critical thinking and independent problem-solving, inspiring a culture of self-reliance and environmental stewardship at ROOTS.
Shared Vision and Commitment
Together, Talon and Travis have been homeschooling their two children, Bella and Emmett, for the past seven years, applying lessons to real-life experiences through outdoor play, role-playing, and hands-on learning. They emphasize practical life skills, self-care, mindfulness, character building, critical thinking, problem-solving, and student autonomy. Their personal and educational philosophies align with the ethics of permaculture: "Care for the Earth, Care for People, Share the Abundance, and Education."
Their vision for ROOTS is to offer inclusive educational opportunities to all children, including those in foster care or underprivileged circumstances, through scholarships. They actively partner with local youth groups, small businesses, libraries, and more to enhance community outreach efforts. Talon and Travis are present during workshops, teaching, directing, and building relationships with children and their families, fostering a collaborative community aimed at empowering the next generation.
Their dedication to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and welcoming learning environment is evident in their efforts to bridge gaps in traditional education, teach self-sufficiency, and promote altruism within the local community. They believe in the power of a collaborative community to change the world, starting with the lives of children.
Talon and Travis look forward to watching and helping children grow outside of their comfort zones, consistently applying lessons to real-life experiences and encouraging exploration and learning in a supportive environment.
ROOTS Farm and Forest School
ROOTS cultivates lifelong learners and leaders through immersive, child-led, nature-based education on our vibrant homestead. Guided by the changing seasons and rooted in project-based learning, we nurture curiosity, exploration, and service. Our programs empower children to care for themselves, their community, and the environment, fostering resilience, compassion, and essential life skills to thrive in diverse settings and contribute meaningfully to the world.
ROOTS does this through farm and forest schooling in homeschool enrichment programs, summer camps, after-school programs, yoga & SEL classes, field trips, school & community collaborations, birthday parties, toddler nature exploration classes, and soon: a 4-day nature school. Our vibrant learning environment includes pollinator gardens, food forests, nature playscape, and children's gardens, alongside the care of animals like goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.
Enrollment Details
Start Your Journey Today!
This Journey is for anyone who has completed FSTI's Forest School Teacher and/or Director Certification courses.
The next journey begins: TBA.Â
6 Week Journey: $699
Optional Add-ons (One consultation per month):
- One 30-minute 1:1 Consultation: $50
- Three 30-minute 1:1 Consultations: $125 - SAVE $25
- Six 30-minute 1:1 Consultations: $225 - SAVE $50
Payment is due in full to complete enrollment.Â
Questions about Your Journey? Contact [email protected]
Questions about Payments? Contact [email protected]
