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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At its core, permaculture is about creating systems that sustain both people and the planet — a philosophy that informs all of my design work.