Our Team
One of the things that sets us apart is our outstanding team of well-trained facilitators. All of our facilitators are friendly, professionally accredited guides, educators and/or nature connection mentors. We specialize in creating a fun and safe space for children to learn at their own pace and follow their individual interests.
Dave Verhulst
Dave has been sharing his passion for the natural and cultural history of wild places in Alberta for 18 years. He has a Master's degree in Recreation Management, is an accredited Master Interpretive Guide through the Interpretive Guides Association and a Wilderness First Responder. He is now working towards completion of Forest School Canada's practitioner's certification.
Dave has had a colourful career in the outdoors - In addition to his work with Nature's Tracks Forest Play, he works as a facilitator for the Pacific Centre for Leadership and for Leadership Development at the Banff Centre. He has worked as a Nordic Ski Instructor, Jackrabbits coach, Fire Communications Officer for Parks Canada, Executive Director of the Interpretive Guides Association, a canoeing guide and as a park interpreter in the mountain national parks and in Dinosaur Provincial Park. He loves playing outside, sharing stories and connecting both children and adults with the magic of the natural world.
Dave has had a colourful career in the outdoors - In addition to his work with Nature's Tracks Forest Play, he works as a facilitator for the Pacific Centre for Leadership and for Leadership Development at the Banff Centre. He has worked as a Nordic Ski Instructor, Jackrabbits coach, Fire Communications Officer for Parks Canada, Executive Director of the Interpretive Guides Association, a canoeing guide and as a park interpreter in the mountain national parks and in Dinosaur Provincial Park. He loves playing outside, sharing stories and connecting both children and adults with the magic of the natural world.
Heather Stark
Heather's nature immersion began in Calgary while growing up with Fish Creek Provincial Park as a backyard. She is grateful for her amazing parents who committed to fostering an active lifestyle, a love of outdoor pursuits and a thirst to understand more about the natural environment. Heather has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education and brings a varied background of recent work as a provincial park interpreter, an educational programmer and a market garden farmer. Having recently finished student teaching at Banff Elementary School, she is excited to continue living in the Bow Valley and getting to know the community.
Heather feels the most at peace when surrounded by children and nature, and finds inspiration and beauty in the everyday experience. She is crazy about wildflowers and watching trees grow, has a particular affinity for hummingbirds and is on the lookout for flying squirrels. Through her work with Forest Play, Heather hopes to provide opportunities for children and families to connect more deeply to nature, to each other and within themselves. She is looking forward to delighting in the curiosity, insight, laughter and energy of the children she meets!
Heather's nature immersion began in Calgary while growing up with Fish Creek Provincial Park as a backyard. She is grateful for her amazing parents who committed to fostering an active lifestyle, a love of outdoor pursuits and a thirst to understand more about the natural environment. Heather has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education and brings a varied background of recent work as a provincial park interpreter, an educational programmer and a market garden farmer. Having recently finished student teaching at Banff Elementary School, she is excited to continue living in the Bow Valley and getting to know the community.
Heather feels the most at peace when surrounded by children and nature, and finds inspiration and beauty in the everyday experience. She is crazy about wildflowers and watching trees grow, has a particular affinity for hummingbirds and is on the lookout for flying squirrels. Through her work with Forest Play, Heather hopes to provide opportunities for children and families to connect more deeply to nature, to each other and within themselves. She is looking forward to delighting in the curiosity, insight, laughter and energy of the children she meets!
Britt Barteski
For over a decade Britt has committed her time to assisting families through different modalities and positions within the legal and education system. She is enthusiastic about understanding sacred traditions all relative to the natural wonders of the earth while exploring new ways to connect deeper to the land. Her heart and eyes were opened to the integration of social cultural teachings connected to the landscape after receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology & Sociology guiding her to further her studies in Integrative Therapy (3 year Diploma Program) specializing in Feng Shui.
Britt’s quirky, fun, intuitive and compassionate personality brings light and laughter to the Canmore community, working as an Education Assistant at Alpenglow Elementary. Her cup is always half full as she offers gratitude to the land immersing herself into the mystical mountains and listening to the stories of all living elements. Britt believes that children share the gift of being life’s greatest teachers offering open hearted insights, communicating their active imaginations with delight, and being authentically present.
For over a decade Britt has committed her time to assisting families through different modalities and positions within the legal and education system. She is enthusiastic about understanding sacred traditions all relative to the natural wonders of the earth while exploring new ways to connect deeper to the land. Her heart and eyes were opened to the integration of social cultural teachings connected to the landscape after receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology & Sociology guiding her to further her studies in Integrative Therapy (3 year Diploma Program) specializing in Feng Shui.
Britt’s quirky, fun, intuitive and compassionate personality brings light and laughter to the Canmore community, working as an Education Assistant at Alpenglow Elementary. Her cup is always half full as she offers gratitude to the land immersing herself into the mystical mountains and listening to the stories of all living elements. Britt believes that children share the gift of being life’s greatest teachers offering open hearted insights, communicating their active imaginations with delight, and being authentically present.
Ronna Schneberger
Ronna has been a professional guide and naturalist for 20 years in the mountain parks. She has a degree in Recreation Management and enjoys sharing stories about the unique natural and cultural history of the Rockies with people from near and far. She is a certified Hiking Guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, a Nordic ski instructor, Wilderness First Responder and is a Professional Interpreter accredited by the Interpretive Guides Association. It is her goal to help people develop a reverence for this wondrous place, and teach them how to enhance their personal connection with nature and themselves where ever they live.