We are inextricably linked to the web of life, embedded in a vast network of relationships. These relationships shape who we are and in many ways contributed to the completion of this book. We are delighted to express our sincere gratitude and acknowledge those who made this possible.
We thank all our human and more-than-human teachers and mentors who have shaped our understanding of healing and nature-based practice. Specifically, we recognize the land and all of her flora, fauna, flows of energy, and cycles; without these, nothing would be possible. Also, we acknowledge the traditional territory of the Coast and Straits Salish People on Vancouver Island, Canada, upon which we live, work, and draw our sustenance.
We thank our clients, past and present, for trusting to share their life stories and to walk with us. We have been profoundly influenced by your courage to face and overcome obstacles, as well as your willingness to explore your ecological selves. As a result, we have grown personally, and our understanding of this work has expanded.
We thank our colleagues in adventure therapy and ecotherapy fields whose work has informed and inspired us. Special thanks to those who invested time to review sections of this manuscript and provide substantive scholarly and critical feedback: Denise Mitten, Gary Stauffer, Tony Alvarez, Kaya Lyons, Will Dobud, Alison Gerlach, John Scull, and Katie Asmus. Also, thank you to our associates at Human-Nature Counseling and community collaborators who provided direction, support, and encouragement for this project along the way. These contributions, big and small, improved our focus, fueled our effort, and ultimately improved the content of this book.
From Nevin: Love and appreciation to my wife, Jocelyne, for your strength, support, and companionship. Gratitude for my original nature-based research assistants, my kids, Isaac and Stella, for your passion and spirited presence in my life. Cheers to my colleagues past and present, for your influence and inspiration. And thank you to my academic mentors, David Robinson and Keith Russell, for introducing me to the potential of asking hard questions and the influence of the written word. Last, a big thank you to my parents for raising a feral child in the boreal forest.
From Katy: Sending gratitude to my husband, Spencer, for his constant love, support, and steadfast belief in our nature-based work, along with my two boys, Ira and Oakley, whose exuberance and curiosity for the world inspire me every day. I’m also grateful to my parents for being the most incredible role models in raising a healthy family. Thanks to all my teachers who mentored me down the path of ecopsychology, and to the many community champions who have supported our vision at Human-Nature and helped us to develop and deliver the accessible nature-based programs that provide inspiration for this book (Power To Be, Shelley Brown, Monique Moore, Mary’s Farm).
From Dave: To my partner, Beca, whose love is unwavering and keeps me growing and showing up fully for the world. To my parents for taking me out of the big city at an early age and fostering my love for the natural world, and to my family and friends who support a shared vision for a nature connected and life serving society. Also, appreciation to friends/colleagues Duncan Taylor and Hilary Leighton, who have generously taught me so much and continue to walk by my side in our endeavors to offer transformational educational experiences, and to Mike Simpson for his enduring friendship and inspiration to continuously strive toward making the world a better place.