Catherine grew up immersed in nature on traditional Stó꞉lō land of the Fraser Valley’s coastal rainforest, where following her own ancestral and nature connection journey led her to root into oceanside Arbutus meadows on southern Vancouver Island. A longing to help others deepen into their own connection to self and place drew her to mentoring. She was introduced to 8 Shields and Coyote mentoring through Wilderness Awareness School’s Tracking Intensive in 2015, and found her way to Thriving Roots Tend the Fire Apprenticeship in 2021 where she began working with youth and adult nature programs through various organizations. She is now part of the mentoring team at Thriving Roots Wilderness School and is thrilled to join Lila Music’s Nature School.

Catherine also holds an MA in Environmental Education and Communication through Royal Roads University and pursues ongoing training with Animas Valley Institute. An artist and naturalist at heart, she remains a lifelong apprentice to the natural world, immersing herself in the stories of wildlife tracking, bird language, organic art materials, wild food and medicine making. She loves sharing beauty and inspiration in nature and art-making, bringing joy through music and song, solving naturalist mysteries (or reveling in the unknown), and connecting with her own inner child through play and games. She enjoys painting wildlife on driftwood and beach stones, ocean swimming, and following animal trails through the forest.