Exploring Life & Business with Nature Explorers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nature Explorers.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
Our journey began in a dream. A mutual friend dreamt that the two of us would start a nature school together before we met. Fast forward, and we meet in a foraging class led by Leah Larabell of Highgarden Tea. After swapping phone numbers, we made plans to delve into the possibilities over tea, and while sipping realized we had so many overlapping skills and passions. We had both been educators for a long while, both had launched into nature-based education, and both had dreams of starting an outdoor program here in Nashville. We launched our pilot program in Fall 2019 with 8 children, rotating to different local parks, and it was everything we’d hoped. From there, we grew our offerings, formalized our business, and set the stage for where we are now. We offer outdoor education during all seasons to children ages 3-14 and adult classes.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been far from smooth! We started a business 6 months before a global pandemic hit. Little did we know the roller coaster we’d be signing up for. “Covid-coaster!” we joked each time something went awry. Partway through our second semester of programming, all of Metro Nashville Parks closed to the public, and we had to stop programming and shift to teaching on Zoom. Not all families who signed up for nature school were interested in putting their children in front of a computer. We started a Patreon to encourage families to get outside, despite all that was happening, but only got a few subscribers. We then had to cancel our first summer of camps. Luckily, by fall, we could meet again in person, with numerous precautions in place. We had none of our original 12 students sign up and had swells of folks signing up, dropping out, and signing up again. No one knew what to expect or the right thing, so we lost about 50% of enrollments then. Luckily, we had enough interest to double our programming, which has grown each semester, with all our pioneer students returning in 2021. The children who joined us as new homeschoolers due to public schools shifting online have gone back to public schools, and we were able to run our first after-school program for some of these children, which was a welcomed expansion. Although the inconsistency has challenged us, we’ve made it work. And serve new homeschool families moving to the Nashville area each semester. Now we are diversifying our offerings to include older students, adults, and private classes too!

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Nature Explorers?
Our mission is to help people facilitate respectful relationships with themselves, others, and Nature. About Nature Explorers, LLC Nature Explorers, LLC was formed by colleagues Judy and Leslie in 2019 out of a shared passion for nature education, earth stewardship, and working with children. Both Nashville natives Judy and Leslie spent some formative years learning from the wilderness in and around Nashville, and they are inspired by sharing their journey with the next generation. Nature Explorers offers half-day outdoor nature tutorials for homeschooled children aged 3-14, an after-school program, summer camps, adult classes, family camping trips, and other outdoor education opportunities. Programs are offered at local parks and support park operations. Please note that we are officially permitted for every park in which we operate, and pay the required permit, operating, and application fees.

We value respect for the earth, respect for each other, acceptance and respect of differences, stewardship of all Nature, and kindness. We are best known for our integrity, flexibility, and expertise as master teachers. We are proud of creating spaces where people from many different walks of life can come together with mutual respect and a shared passion for Nature. We want the readers to know that Nature is for everyone and that cultivating a relationship with the outdoor world is a powerful tool for meaningful connection with yourself and others.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
Podcasts Sipping Teas and Hugging Trees
Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me
Medicine Stories

Education Resources
Tennessee Naturalist Program
TN State Parks Classes and Programs

Books
Tom Brown’s Field Guides for kids in Nature
Peterson’s Field Guides
Foraging in the Southeast
Smithsonian Field Guides
National Audubon Society Field Guides
Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide
Native American Stories by Joseph Bruchac

Apps
Seek by iNaturalist
Merlin Bird ID
Stormshield
Clime (NOAA)
Picture This

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nashvillenatureexplorers.com
• Instagram: @nashville_nature_explorers
• Facebook: NashvilleNatureExplorers