Cover photo by Chelsea Gray

I am absolutely thrilled to join the TMO team! I started my career in outdoor education during my first summer job (scooping ice-cream), growing up in the rolling hills and rural roads of Ontario. While on break, I would go for walks with friends and family at the resort. Being an avid nature lover and growing up in a family that supported my love of the outdoors, I was often asked questions about the flora and fauna – the resort saw this and created a new position for me guiding nature walks for families. Fast forward five years and I became the Events and Entertainment Director for the management company that owned that very same resort. It was an amazing feeling to be able to travel between communities and connect with local educators and businesspeople to partner with this programming (such as hiring local beekeepers to deliver farm visit programming, organizing 5km charity runs, recruiting guest speakers, community BBQ’s…). I attribute my passion for community engagement and outreach to this today. Since then, I have completed a BA in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph and focused on Outdoor and Environmental Education; working with provincial parks, federal parks, schools, NGO’s and community groups.

For the last four years, I’ve worked in the non-profit sector with a focus on program development, delivery, coordination, outreach, networking and partnerships, specializing in Indigenous connections, and communications-related duties to help grow and connect visitors and outdoor educators nationwide. I currently respectfully reside in the traditional territory of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Nation, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, who have been nurturing this land since time immemorial. Nowadays I spend my free time exploring the rugged coastline of western Canada, snorkeling with my camera in the tidepools, moto camping on the backroads, or hiking my favourite trails through the temperate rainforest, stopping to view the moss.

Photo by Tanya Nestoruk

One of my favourite programs that I’ve been able to work on was all about MOSS! One day I was awkwardly hunched over along a hiking trail, trying to get up close and personal with some Haircap moss. It was looking extra luscious and magical with it’s post-rain dew, sun peeking through the clouds down onto it, I just had to grab some photos on my macro lens. Other trail users walked by and stopped, curiously wondering what I was doing, so I showed them the moss, my camera, and photos. They were so excited – I felt like I was revealing this whole new world of tiny tree looking species; they said they were blown away. This experience is how the Magical Moss program and guided walk came to existence; I was inspired by others’ own joy, awe and wonder. I strive to continue to foster this personal connection with nature whenever I go and with whomever I’m with.

I look forward to connecting with you all, and cannot wait to see, hear, and share what amazing programs TMO and our partners are working on next!

Tanya can be reached at tanya@takemeoutside.ca

Photo by Tanya Nestoruk

Take Me Outside extends our gratitude to the Canada Summer Jobs program
for making this position possible through their generous funding.