I’ve had the pleasure of working with WellKind and their high school kids on 5 separate outings beyond classroom walls. Each time, I’ve come away both impressed and inspired. WellKind programs are flexibly and responsively designed to engage and challenge young people, encouraging them to take more active, creative roles in outdoor activities, studies that interest them, and how these studies will help them contribute to society.
WellKind interns who co-lead and monitor the programs are inquisitive, intelligent and — something precious in mentors — caring.
All this perhaps inevitably attracts students to WellKind programs who want to do good things in the world, contribute now young adults, setting themselves on a path to be adults who can help make the world a better place.
On a more personal note, as a passionate advocate for reconnecting people of all ages with the natural world, WellKind’s programs apparently attract young people who are open to this wild notion. They are curious about the (real) world beyond our screens, smart or otherwise. IMO, this is what the natural world needs, what young people need, and what humanity needs now, more than ever before.
Thank you WellKind.
Jack Gescheidt, Consultant
The TreeSpirit Project
Wellkind has very supportive of our work, which aligns well with the mission of Wellkind to restore wellness to communities and the planet. They have been very responsive and engaged. We are truly grateful for our relationship with Wellkind, and their funds have been a much needed boost to start our community gardens!
I am impressed by the nonprofit WellKind's services and support of environmental education and climate change, for schools in Northern CA. The students are actively learning in their school gardens, eating the produce in school lunch programs, and engaging in important and relevant learning and hands-on application, on a range of topics from raising food, composting, forestry, career options, etc. It is very inspiring to visit the schools and witness the teachers and responsive students, motivated to do something, especially given the urgency of needed individual and societal change to respond to climate change and its impact on the future of these young people. Thank you WellKInd for your invaluable contributions.
I served as an environmental conservation intern with Wellkind Guatemala in the summer of 2022. It is impressive to see how big of an impact the reforestation and artisan programs are having on the local community of Tzununá. In 2022 we distributed nearly 20,000 trees to over 160 families, which resulted in the reforestation of 22.2 hectares. The most impressive part of the Guatemala branch is that, although it is connected to the US team, it is run by the team of 6 indigenous mayan Kaqchikel employees. Through Wellkind employment they are gaining valuable technical, organizational, and real-world skills that are helping them become impactful community leaders. The foundations that have been built at this small NGO are very strong, and I’m excited to see what they are able to accomplish as they grow and evolve.
WELLKIND's Forestry Management and Communication internship is an amazing program that gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from local activists, biologists, botanists, and climate change experts. Walker and Catriona generously dedicate their time to teaching my generation about environmental issues and empowering us to be active in our own communities.
Incredibly impactful programming and GREAT to work with. Staff and leadership are responsive, innovative, and very well organized.
As an intern for Wellkind's forestry program I learned a great deal about how to sustainably manage the land whether it be in our own backyards or an entire forest. Their commitment to a holistic approach means their work is not only helping the environment but the people who benefit from it. It is also great to a see a nonprofit that is not afraid to use the newest science and actively research how our environment is changing.
My internship taught me a lot about the environment and exposed me to so many career opportunities. I learned about forestry, writing, and general ecology. I would recommend their internship program to anyone!
Working as a WELLKIND intern, I expanded my knowledge in so many areas. I learned about the forest ecosystem and how important the species that inhabit it are. I learned about the importance of old trees and how they work to combat climate change. It was an unforgettable experience and all the field trips and connections I made are truly so valuable. Thank you to everyone at WELLKIND!