.jpg)
The Nature Connects Team
_edited_edited.jpg)
Sarah Witts
Nature, health and wellbeing practitioner & Co-Founder​
Since childhood, Sarah has held a profound love for the natural world. However, her relationship with nature transformed into one of healing, connection, and reciprocity when she discovered the science of nature connection a decade ago. Through years of experiential learning and reflective practice across various models and immersive experiences, she developed a strong desire to help others forge similar connections.
In 2020, she began a Foundation course in Ecopsychology and nature-based practice with the Natural Academy, which equipped her with the skills and confidence to establish Nature Connects CIC (natureconnects.org) in Cornwall. She has since completed both the Foundation in Ecopsychology and nature-based practice and the Advanced Pathway in Regenerative Ecopsychology and nature-based practice.
Sarah serves as co-lead for the Kernow Nature and Health Practice network (KNHP), founded in 2022, and is an active member of the Steering Group for the Nature and Health Practice Network (NHP). Additionally, she has joined the newly formed National Nature Connection Network, established by Natural England.
Passionate about advocating for nature connection, Sarah raises awareness of its potential to address the intertwined health and environmental crises.
Over the past four years, Nature Connects has supported hundreds of individuals in deepening their relationships with nature, helping them recognize their integral role within it. It has been a privilege to witness and facilitate so many transformative experiences that have positively impacted both individual and planetary health and well-being.
One Health—We ARE nature.
Debbie Leigh
Nature, Health & Wellbeing Practitioner ​
Debbie completed the Natural Academy Advanced Pathway in Ecopsychology and Nature Based Practice in 2024. She considers herself a biophiliac - with a “love of life” - a term that was created to suggest that human beings have an instinctive love for the natural world that has been engendered by evolution to help us survive (Earthday.org). She feels a soulful calling to ever deepen and make known that instinctive love, considering it a guiding and comforting force when change comes calling. “With a weaving of my past experience and participation in womens’ circle, climate change activism, nature based workshops, bushcraft, permaculture, community building and my own therapeutic journey though significant life events I find that little holds more potency, beauty and richness than witnessing, supporting and being alongside fellow human beings reflecting and connecting in the wild outdoors.”
Victoria Meincken
Early Years Nature Leader
Vicki has a warm and grounding attitude, her passion for Nature and wide knowledge of foraging and culinary skills are always inspiring. She has a qualification in early years education and is working at a forest school.
A lifelong interest in experiential education and the different ways we learn and grow combined with a down-to-earth manner make her ideal company when out in the wilds!
We are delighted that Vicki has joined us in being a third director of Nature Connects and are so proud of her continuing seeking of personal and professional development as she completed the Foundation in Ecopsychology and Nature Based practice in 2023.
Jo Tobin
Nature Buddies Cofacilitator
Jo has worked with Nature Connects, helping run the Nature buddies group, since June 2023 following her completion of the Foundation in Ecopsychology and Nature based practises.
She had always been interested in learning more about psychology and how the human mind works. So she studied some basic counselling skills and applied psychology. Thinking to work in a therapeutic way with people. But her life changed and she became interested in the idea of working in nature. So she studied for her Forest school leadership levels 1&2. However she realised her passion was to work with adults.
Growing up on a small holding in Sancreed and then moving to a farm nearby in the wilds of West Penwith in Cornwall she was immersed in nature from a very young age including living with a variety of pets, farm animals and a few wild animals. She has always had a love of, and connection to nature, which has led to a passion to share this connection with others. Also understanding how significant nature and animals have been in her own journey have been a big factor in choosing to follow this path.
Her hobbies and interests that have been significant are gardening, animals of all species, Tai Chi, meditation, reading, yoga, poetry, singing, music, nature photography, walking, beach combing and wood carving/whittling, rustic furniture making, green woodworking, Cornish hedging, amongst other things.
Victoria Dufour
Forest School leader, Menstrual Cycle Awareness educator & group facilitator
Victoria is a Forest School leader & Menstrual Cycle Awareness educator & group facilitator for adults & young people. She has trained in outdoor education, contemporary wilderness rites of passage and menstruality leadership as well as participated in the Art of Mentoring movement. With this work, Victoria is stepping up as a mentor for her community.
Here at Nature Connects, we know that the future needs to be one which reconnects us to nature so that we can step into a future of sustainability, health and happiness.
Through exploring natural space, we guide people to sow their own seeds, to grow their sense of belonging in nature and foster a deeper relationship with themselves and the world around them.
​
Our work is supported by the Natural Academy who our team have been trained by.
We are also part of the Nature and Health Practitioners Network based in the West of England where we meet regularly to discuss areas of relevance to our sector including quality standards, evaluations and continuing professional development.
Nature Connects CIC and Greenwood Music CIC lead on the Kernow NHP where we are working towards a One Health strategy for Cornwall.