Born and raised here in Central Texas, Chris has spent his entire life wandering and exploring the wild places across America. Fishing along the coast in Corpus Christi, hiking the trails of State Parks across Texas, exploring the piney woods of Big Thicket and discovering all that nature offered as mysteries along the way. After graduating from high school Chris traveled across the country taking classes from multiple outdoor schools that focused on modern & traditional skills of survival living, as well as leadership, homesteading and permaculture. In 2011 Chris began working in environmental education for youth and adults teaching outdoor leadership skills, archery, bow making, wildlife tracking, ethnobotany and outdoor survival skills.

In 2014 Chris opened Natureversity to help homeschool communities around the Austin area reconnect with nature through the practice of hands-on and passion-led learning while being outside. Chris is an active member and guide for the Capital Area Master Naturalists & Wilderness First Responder with the Wilderness Medicine Institute of North America. He is also an Active Duty Lifeguard with the American Red Cross and a Wildlife Track & Sign Specialist with CyberTracker International.

Chelsea grew up in Houston Texas where she found her love for the outdoor through her local Girl Scout camps. After becoming a camper and eventually a CIT, she became a counselor for the camp that inspired her to be an outdoor nerd all those years ago. After graduating from high school she went on to attend and graduated from Texas State with a degree in graphic design, & has been living in Austin since 2015.

Chelsea is a graduate of our Natureversity Teacher Training Program & is First Aid & CPR Certified. She has a passion for all things outdoors and if she isn’t reading about the natural world you can find her crafting, bug hunting, & rock collecting out in the wild.

Growing up exploring San Antonio’s wild spaces, Stephen developed deep nature literacy and survival skills that now inform his teaching. His background as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor (5 years, black belt) shaped his approach to mentoring – emphasizing discipline, awareness, and progressive skill development.

Inspired by Tom Brown Jr.’s teachings, Stephen specializes in wilderness survival (firecraft, shelter-building), natural navigation, and ecological awareness. He blends these hard skills with nature connection practices to foster resilience and environmental stewardship in students.

As an outdoor educator, Stephen creates transformative learning experiences that empower youth through hands-on wilderness immersion. His approach cultivates both practical competencies and deeper respect for the natural world.

Grace Keel is a 22-year-old from San Angelo, Texas. Growing up surrounded by wide-open spaces and spending time outdoors with her family deeply shaped her love for nature. Many of her formative summers were spent at an overnight ranch camp, where she made unforgettable memories and formed lasting connections. Those experiences helped spark her passion for outdoor adventure and environmental awareness. 

She enjoys fly fishing, hiking, and camping—anything that allows her to immerse herself in the natural world. Grace is also deeply passionate about teaching others and sharing the importance of understanding and appreciating the natural wonders around us. For her, being outside isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of life, a way to connect, reflect, and live in harmony with the world around her.

Riley was born in Pennsylvania, but has lived in Texas since 2010, with her formative years spent in Utah. Her childhood spent exploring creeks, observing wildlife, and camping with family helped her develop a deep, lifelong connection to nature—a foundation that now informs her work as an outdoor educator.

Since beginning her teaching journey in 2015, Riley has facilitated learning in early childhood classrooms and outdoor programs such as The Wild School in Houston TX. Her approach is shaped by Jon Young’s 8 Shields Mentoring Model, which emphasizes cultural storytelling, sensory awareness, and nature-based mentorship. This framework allows her to cultivate curiosity, confidence, and environmental stewardship in students through experiential, learner-centered exploration.

Riley sees nature as the ultimate teacher, and her work is dedicated to guiding young learners toward becoming mindful, capable stewards of the Earth while bettering themselves as individuals ready to tackle any obstacle they may encounter.

A true global naturalist, Paige grew up exploring the wilds of Maine, Oklahoma, as well as New Zealand, developing deep ecological awareness through hands-on discovery. She brings professional training in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation from Texas A&M, complemented by extensive study of conscientious foraging and natural medicine traditions.

As an educator, Paige creates dynamic learning experiences that blend scientific knowledge with ancestral wisdom. Her teaching philosophy—honed through years of mentoring all ages—emphasizes reciprocal relationships with nature. At Natureversity, she specializes in ethical harvesting, plant identification, and fostering “nature literacy” through sensory-based exploration.

Paige believes every outdoor encounter offers teachable moments, and she thrives on both sharing knowledge and learning alongside students. Her approach cultivates curiosity, ecological responsibility, and joyful connection with the living world.

A seasoned educator with 10+ years of experience, Texas-native Sophia Johnson specializes in creating transformative learning experiences for all ages. Her diverse teaching background spans robotics, engineering, and Spanish instruction, honing her ability to make complex concepts accessible and exciting.

Sophia brings this same passion to nature education, enriched by her hands-on knowledge of sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry. At Natureversity, she combines her teaching expertise with deep ecological awareness to help students discover nature’s wisdom. Whether identifying native plants, exploring animal habitats, or practicing wilderness skills, Sophia empowers learners through patient guidance and joyful exploration.

Sophia is a graduate of our Outdoor Guide & Nature Teacher Training Program, class of 2025. Her teaching philosophy celebrates each child’s unique curiosity while fostering respect for our natural world – proving that the earth itself is the most dynamic classroom.

Growing up along Texas’ Gulf Coast in Matagorda County, Chris developed a profound connection with nature through childhood explorations of beaches, rivers, and forests. These early experiences instilled a deep respect for the natural world that has guided his life’s path.

He honed his wilderness skills through training at Texas Survival School, Earth Native Wilderness School, and Eye of the Water Survival Camp under expert Bob Hansler. Chris specializes in primitive skills, kayaking, and natural movement – practices that serve as both grounding techniques and paths for personal growth.

His professional background includes farming with a nonprofit and working at a peer treatment center, where he witnessed nature’s transformative healing power firsthand. Now dedicated to outdoor education, Chris combines technical expertise with heartfelt passion to help others build resilience and rediscover their connection to the wild.

Mandy was born into and raised in a small water ski community in rural southwest Indiana. Her earliest examples of community were neighbors and families coming together through outdoor based activities on a shared lake they built and cooperatively maintained. Childhood memories are filled with days being coached by neighbors alongside their kids on the water, riding bikes barefoot on country gravel roads, and eating dinner still in her swimsuit. Mandy became estranged from her connection to the outside world and passion for adventure in early adulthood but all of that changed after she moved to Texas and bought a camera on a whim.

With her creative arts background and deep love of the Texan landscape, she began a devotional landscape photography practice. She has traveled to the far reaches of Texas and the greater American West, spending weeks off grid trying to document the splendor of the natural world. Mandy is excited for the opportunity she has as content creator for Natureveristy, hoping to inspire and create access for others to grow their connection with nature.

Mark was born and raised in Houston, Texas, but considers himself a true Austinite having lived in the Central Texas city since 1990. Growing up in the pre-Internet era, Mark spent his youth outdoors enjoying nature and playing sports with his friends. A dedicated musician since his teenage years, Mark’s work history began with a decade or so working in record stores, including the now legendary Sound Exchange in Austin, the home of Daniel Johnston’s landmark “Hi, How Are You” mural! He then transitioned into a 15-year career at The Austin Chronicle where he held such titles as Online Editor, Events Editor, and Head Proofreader to name a few. Looking for a change of pace, he co-founded popular barbecue trailer Micklethwait Craft Meats which has been included in the Texas Monthly Top 50 barbecue list twice running.

After helping to establish the success of that thriving business, it was time for another change of scenery. This led him to Buzz Mill Coffee and managing its Lumber Society. In short the Lumber Society is “Boy and Girl Scout for adults” and teaches survival skills in a casual and fun environment (with beer). That’s where he met Chris Hyde. After working closely with Chris for several years he was delighted to be asked to join the staff at Natureversity and looks forward to a new challenge and another exciting career.