Young Sprouts Weekly and Monthly Nature Programs

Alicia (she/her) was born in Kelowna on the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. She spent her childhood there and in Abbotsford – the territory of the Sumas and Matsqui First Nations of the Sto:lo people. As a child, Alicia enjoyed walks with her mom in the forest, searching for bugs with her friends, and writing stories full of animals and magic. A memorable elementary school field trip taught her how all living things are connected through games and play and inspired her to become an environmental educator.

To protect the wild animals she loved, Alicia went on to earn a BSc in Environmental Science at Simon Fraser University. Through her studies and leading fun, educational activities for kids with Let’s Talk Science, she honed her nature knowledge and shared it with others by volunteering with the Vancouver Aquarium and the City of Surrey as a nature guide. She then helped plan and lead outdoor nature camps at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Alicia believes that every child should have the chance to develop a bond with nature and that we all have a role in protecting it.

In her free time, you can find Alicia exploring local parks, creating stories, and helping cats and hamsters find their forever homes.

Teen Nature Programs

Daphne grew up outside of Seattle, Washington, on the traditional territory of the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Nations. She fostered a love for trees, plants, and the interconnection of life through time, playing alongside her siblings in the forest and stream of her grandparent’s backyard in so-called Vancouver, BC.

Daphne has spent the last 8 years in various educational spaces with youth, from empowerment programming with the YWCA, an ESL teacher in Spain, and most recently working as a co-investigator with youth in STEAM programming. She holds a BA in Sociology from UBC and recently completed her MA at McGill University in Education and Society. Her master’s research investigated how to use hope in environmental education to empower students to become changemakers and counter climate anxiety. Putting her research into action, she has been very involved in youth-led community initiatives and activism for several years.

Alongside sparking joy, hope and nature connection in children, she’s passionate about helping to mobilize the next generation of young people to discover their own passions and get involved in their communities. She spends her time outside of work wandering the forests and mountains, cooking new recipes with friends, and practicing yoga.

Teen Nature Program

Hannah (she/they) grew up in the city of Vancouver on the traditional territories of the
Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nations. Hannah feels a strong connection and pull towards the ocean as she spent her childhood and young adult life exploring the coast, often swimming, tidepooling and collecting treasures along the beach.

Hannah began working for outdoor programs fostering nature education with children four years ago, and has since had the opportunity to work for several different organizations where she has found deep meaning and joy in her work as an educator. She is currently studying at UBC to receive her Bachelor of Visual Arts in the hopes of further pursuing a career as an art teacher. In her work at SENS, she brings together her passion for art creation and nature connection with eco-arts activities such as making natural dyes on fabric with plant materials.

Growing up with a neurodivergent identity, Hannah has always found nature to be an
environment where she can learn on her own terms. As she continues to learn and grow as an educator, she hopes to create a space where children exist as their true, unabashed and unique selves – and celebrate all the things that make them who they are.

In her free time you can find Hannah rock climbing, cycling around the city, painting in her home studio or spending time with her two sweet cats.

Monthly Nature Programs

Laura Powers (she/her) grew up in rural Quebec in an area known as the Eastern Townships, located on the territory of the Abenaki Nation. Her connection to the natural world has grown into a passion for bushcraft, carving, natural dyeing, and learning about the plants, animals, and fungi that surround us.

Laura is currently studying Outdoor Recreation Management at Capilano University and brings over a year of experience with Soaring Eagle Nature School as a Nature Mentor. She especially loves sharing her knowledge of flora, fauna, and fungi with young people and creating opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery.

Laura believes in bringing whimsy and curiosity back into education and conservation, encouraging learners to slow down, notice the little things, ask questions, and build meaningful relationships with the natural world.

Her favourite plant is the purple pitcher plant, her favourite animal is the Bigg’s killer whale, and if there are mushrooms nearby, you can be sure Laura will have something to say about them- she’s absolutely obsessed with fungi and could happily talk about mushrooms for hours!

Monthly Nature Programs

Melody (she/her) is a biologist and science educator with a love for bugs, plants, and discovering how they’re all connected. She holds a BSc in Biology from UVic and has years of research experience in entomology, forestry, and marine ecology.

Melody has also worked as a science educator at Oak and Orca Bioregional School, where she led hands-on biology workshops and outdoor learning experiences for children and youth. She loves encouraging kids to follow their curiosity, ask questions, and get excited about the small wonders of the natural world.

Her favourite plant is the Arbutus, and her favourite animals are orb-weaver spiders—though she’s always excited to stop and investigate a cool bug!

Youth Programs

Chris (they/them) grew up in central Alabama on the land of the Mvskoke Creek peoples. The Mvskoke are a confederation of tribes including the Yuchi, Koasati, Alabama, Coosa, Tuskegee, Coweta, Cusseta, Chehaw, Hitchiti, Tuckabatchee, and Oakfuskee. Chris spent most of their childhood exploring the dense forests, rivers and streams in Alabama.

Chris has lived in so-called Vancouver since 2017 and has completed a BSc in Natural Resource Conservation with a specialization in Indigenous Studies. They have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Squamish and Haida Nation members and Incan Elders in Peru.

Chris has worked within outdoor education since 2023 and strives to highlight different ways of knowing and strongly believes in creating space for neurodivergence and gender expression and exploration while outside. They have worked with children for over a decade and love to learn more about others special interests.

They love exploring the forest floor to see what small species they can see and identify. One of their favorite forest activities is examining moss through magnifying glass and learning about medicinal uses of plants.

Operations & Communication

Isabella (she/her) grew up in Singapore (Pulau Ujong), on the traditional lands of the Malay peoples (Orang Melayu). After moving to Canada in 2018, living closer to nature and experiencing the changing seasons deepened her connection to the natural world, especially the transition from winter to spring and its reminder of growth and renewal.

Of multi-ethnic Singaporean and Panamanian heritage, Isabella values creating spaces where young people feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be curious, confident, and fully themselves. She believes meaningful mentorship begins with being present, listening, and giving children space to discover who they are and how they connect with the world around them.

Isabella has worked with children and youth since 2009 as a gymnastics instructor, program coordinator, and manager. With a degree in Business Management from RMIT University, she now brings her experience in leadership, communications, and community building to her role as Co-Director of Soaring Eagle Nature School.

Outside of work, Isabella loves yoga, surfing, hiking, snowboarding, travelling, and exploring the forests, coastlines, countries, and islands around her.

Programs & Education

Max-River (they/them) is an uninvited settler who grew up on the unceded and unsurrendered homelands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples (so-called “Vancouver, Canada”). A child of mixed ancestry, they work to honour the land and Coast Salish peoples by strengthening her relationship and responsibilities to them.

Max comes to Soaring eagle with over 10 years of nature based teaching and looks forward to continuing to learn from the children and the land in their role as weekly and monthly instructor!

As a child Max remembers spending hours exploring Pacific Spirit Park, helping the “crazy boggers” working to restore Camosun Bog, and attending the Metro Vancouver Night Quest. As a young person they spent their weekends busing to the local mountains with her friends. Their curiosity and love of the natural world led them to facilitate nature-based programs for youth across the Metro Vancouver region. Max has previously taught at the UBC Farm, with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-BC), the UBC Botanical Gardens, and the Metro Vancouver Sustainability Toolbox, and the Wilderness Awareness School. Alongside their outdoor work, Max pursued a degree in Geography (the“Environment and Sustainability” stream) with extensive course and research work in the First Nations and Indigenous Studies Field. In their spare time, you’ll find them cycling the seawall, making art, and growing and cooking nourishing food.

Sharon (she/her) grew up in Langley on the traditional and unceded territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo First Nations.

Going on family hikes and camping trips during her childhood, many of her happiest memories were formed by the vibrant forests of BC and along the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, Sharon has grown to deeply love the environment. She is eager to learn more about environmental knowledge and to spread an appreciation for the natural world.

Currently pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Human Geography at the University of British Columbia, Sharon’s passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship continues to drive and shape both her studies and engagement in community. She firmly believes that environmental education is valuable at any age or walk of life, and caring for the environment through curiosity and reciprocity is a fundamental responsibility shared by all.

As the Marketing Coordinator for Soaring Eagle, Sharon will be present during some program

days, taking photos and videos, to help capture and share the joy of outdoor learning.
Outside of work and school, she enjoys being outdoors, trying new crafts, listening to music, reading a good book, and creating content.

Jenna Rudolph (she/her/they/them) has mentored children in the natural world since 2004 and founded Soaring Eagle Nature School in 2009. She was born in and spent her formative years in South Africa (territories of the San and Khoehoe People) where her love and connection to birds and animals began alongside her grandmother.

They have been inspired by and learned from Nancy Turner and the University of Victoria, the Wild Seed School of Herbal Studies, the Wilderness Awareness School, the Animas Valley Institute, the AORTA coop, Wilderness Trails in South Africa, and Martín Prechtel at Bolad’s Kitchen.

Jenna believes that by spending time in nature with caring mentors, children can be their most full selves, learn and adapt to real-life situations, and become resilient, caring individuals.

Jenna parted ways with Soaring Eagle Nature School in 2024 and entrusted the team to steward the organization into the future.