I'm Lesley
I am an educator, designer, and guide devoted to restoring connection — with land, with self, and with the living world around us.
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My work brings together ecological design and nature-based practices to support more grounded, regenerative ways of living. Through permaculture design, forest therapy, and embodied practices, I help individuals and families create spaces and experiences that nourish both the landscape and the human spirit.
With a background in education and a master’s degree in the field, I approach this work with both structure and curiosity — blending practical knowledge with a deep respect for natural systems.
I hold certifications in permaculture design, yoga instruction, and nature and forest therapy.
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At the heart of my work is a desire to live in right relationship — with the land, with our bodies, and with the greater web of life — and to support others in remembering that connection for themselves.
Nature and Forest Therapy
My work as a forest therapy guide is rooted in the lineage of Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing,” a practice that emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a response to rising stress and disconnection from nature.
I am certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, an organization that has helped bring this practice into a modern context while honoring its origins and depth.
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Research continues to show that time spent in natural environments can support reduced stress, improved mood, enhanced immune function, and overall wellbeing. Guided forest therapy builds on this by offering a structured, relational experience with the natural world — one that supports both individual restoration and a deeper sense of connection.
Permaculture
Permaculture is a design approach rooted in observing and working with natural systems to create landscapes that are both productive and regenerative.
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Rather than treating the land as something to control, permaculture invites us to collaborate with ecological patterns — supporting soil health, plant diversity, water cycles, and long-term resilience.
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In practice, this can look like edible landscapes, food forests, and thoughtfully designed gardens that provide nourishment while enhancing the health of the ecosystem as a whole.
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At its core, permaculture is about creating systems that sustain both people and the planet — a philosophy that informs all of my design work.