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 High School Chris traveled across the country taking classes from dozens of different outdoor schools that focused on modern & traditional skills of survival living, as well as leadership, homesteading and permaculture. In 2009 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 Austin and Dripping Springs reconnect with nature through the practice of hands-on and passion-led learning while being outside. Chris is a certified Outdoor Wilderness Guide with the National Outdoor Leadership School & Wilderness First Responder with the 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. He lives here in Austin Texas and enjoys traveling to new locations around Texas, making primitive bows and arrows, primitive hunting, fishing and tracking wildlife.

Carter was born in Austin, Texas, but grew up in a town north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a deciduous forest in his backyard. This allowed him to develop an intimate connection with nature at a young age. There he would use his imagination building forts, bike ramps, and a treehouse with his friends. He loved climbing trees, watching birds, carving sticks, and playing games. Being a camp counselor for a church summer camp in 2015, he got a taste of how fulfilling working with kids can be. Carter then went on to college in Ohio, earning a BA in Psychology at Kent State University in 2019 and this past summer, Carter and his girlfriend converted their car into an RV and lived on the road for three months as they traveled around the entire country traversing twenty different states to uncover the beauty that America’s national parks bestow. From Yellowstone in Wyoming, Crater Lake in Oregon, Redwoods and Sequoia in California, to Zion in Utah, his call to nature was reawakened, confirming an inner longing to build a career outdoors. After twenty years, Carter has finally returned to his roots in Austin, hopeful for new growth and revelations. He is grateful to have found Natureversity and is excited to learn and help our future generations develop their own connections with mother earth, which he believes will help our world become an even better place.

Taylor was born in Austin, Texas but grew up in western Pennsylvania with his identical twin brother, Carter. They were lucky enough to have a big deciduous forest in their back yard and so they spent most of their childhood running around playing in the woods, building forts with friends, catching tadpoles, climbing trees, and falling in love with nature. As Taylor grew older he learned more about ecosystems and foraging for wild plants and mushrooms, and loves to go on long lone journeys in the forest. He feels that there’s always magical moments, healing, and wisdom to behold in nature! When he’s anywhere in nature he feels how all life is connected and that always brings him a sense of awe and reinvigorates childlike wonder in his soul! Taylor absolutely loves working with kids and as a senior in High school he organized his own lacrosse skills camp for kids ages 9-14, and had so much fun teaching and encouraging the kids! He also served as a summer camp counselor through his church when he was in high school and he felt so fulfilled and excited every day to share incite with the kids and to listen to their perspectives and hear their wild imaginations, and play tons of games! With a love for helping people heal and overcome hardships in life Taylor went on to graduate from Kent State University with a BA degree in Psychology. Post graduation he spent a lot of time traveling and hiking from California to Europe and many places in between. His most recent endeavor was an off-grid work exchange in Hawaii on the big island. There he learned tons about sustainable living, gardening, and building healthy community. Natureversity feels like the perfect place for Taylor’s next chapter in life and he is excited to share his passion with nature and life itself with the future generation!

Jorge was born on the smallest island of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean, known as Puerto Rico – Originally named Borikén by the native Taíno tribes that stewarded the island. His childhood was filled with adventure and exploration in its many diverse ecosystems. From its lush tropical rainforests to the lively coastal shores, Jorge grew up hiking, camping, fishing, and traveling. This led to an unbreakable spiritual connection to nature. A new chapter was written with his family’s relocation to Central Texas in 2001. Texas has become his new playground, exploring many of its natural treasures and sharing their gleam. He has been fortunate enough to also explore the Andes, Cascades and Rocky Mountains throughout his excursions. As a result of his travels, Jorge has dedicated himself to the pursuit of sustainable methods of living. His focus is in creating community around food, water, shelter, and energy. This consists of organic food production, soil remediation, land stewardship, architecture, and most importantly, educating younger generations. He strives to connect children’s innate senses to the living and breathing ecosystems that make up our home. In 2017, Jorge became a father to his daughter Magnolia, deepening his motivation towards creating a wholesome future. He hopes to launch an outdoor educational center in the Cordillera Central mountains of Puerto Rico, helping local children find their purpose as future caretakers of the land. Catch his family on the trail!

Isabelle (Izzy) Habegger was born and raised here in the heart of Austin, Texas, as a total city girl. Growing up in such a large urban area, the places she felt closest to were ones that did not involve the concrete pathways or the absurdly high buildings, but the little pockets of nature in between. After realizing her soul yearned for the outdoors as well as the deep knowledge it contained, she decided to pursue a career in environmental education. Staying close to home, she attended Texas State University in San Marcos and graduated with a B.S. in Physical Geography as well as a minor in Nature and Heritage Tourism in May of 2022. In between the years of learning about meteorology, biogeography, GIS, and more, she gained experience working with youth at a Jewish summer camp here in Austin. From 2016-2022 Isabelle worked with children ages 4 through 12, with the past three years focused on teaching Teva (the Hebrew word for Nature). She enjoyed so many great moments during the summers that it influenced a change in her career path and led her here, to Natureversity. She hopes to encourage children to explore outside of their comfort zones, enjoy the world around us, and nurture their ever inquisitive minds.

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Holli has spent much of her life traveling to see the wonders of nature. She has her Bachelor’s in Education, and she is passionate about connecting with the Earth and emotionally supporting others. Throughout her life, she has worked many jobs teaching kids— from summer camps to being a swim team coach, she finds so much inspiration from them. As she grew up, she spent almost all of her time outside, in her big backyard, full of plants and animals, or watching the sunsets at the lake by her home. She was blessed to have parents that really encouraged her to play outside and get involved in outdoor activities. When she was young, her friends and her would pretend that they could communicate with the plants and animals, and she always believed they had such a story to tell.  She always felt her connection with nature was innate, and she found herself seeking solace and peace in the forest. From the time of being a child and still now, Holli finds so much magic in connecting with nature, listening to nature, and working with nature, because she believes that strengthening that connection is one of the most important things we can do in our lives, and keeping primitive ways of living alive. She believes nature is our greatest teacher. It is where our spirit thrives; where we find that connection to our ancestors, to ourselves and one another. She is passionate about helping others cultivate, support and nourish this connection we have as humans with the Earth. When she isn’t teaching at Natureversity, Holli is in the forest or helping women during labor as a holistic doula here in Austin. 

Puma grew up in Southern California in a semi-rural suburb of Los Angeles. In her backyard she had an old apricot tree that she climbed and in the summers she enjoyed eating the apricots alongside the squirrels. Puma has spent most of her time outdoors as a child and this is where she found herself at peace, calm and joyful.  Puma’s time in this tree would lay the foundation for a lifetime of leading children on nature quests for the perfect apricot. Puma possesses a background in holistic nutrition and worked as a cook for yoga retreats in her early 20’s and later as a cater chef while she was getting her degree in Early Child Development. She has been working in childcare for almost 20 years, 5 of those as an early childhood educator. Her passion is for outdoor education and restorative justice. Puma believes nature is the best teacher and having children grow slow with the cycles allows them to mature and thrive at their own pace. In her free time Puma is an avid camper, explorer, naturalist, and dancer. To her, a perfect evening for consists of a home cooked meal with my family and friends. Each and every day spent on Earth Pums feels a deep gratitude for all of the mysteries life offers. 

Born in New England, Sheri spent her childhood exploring the wilds of Vermont and Maine before settling in New Hampshire. Her childhood was spent with her sister building forts and wandering the woods around their home and as she grew, hiking and camping became not just hobbies, but passions. Sheri earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and put it to use at a treatment center for teens with OCD and anxiety where she worked for four years. By helping other reconnect with nature, Sheri was able to help them build trust, community, and confidence within themselves. Always seeking new opportunities, Sheri pursued a job in adventure guiding out to Austin and has been growing her skills here ever since. Sheri is excited to share her knowledge, build on primitive skills, and help our younger generation grow their connection with nature while at Natureversity.

Mandy was born into and raised up 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!