About our Guide

My love for nature began in the fields and forests of Haldimand County, where my grandmother led me as a young child on nature walks across our family homestead. I know now that her goal was to tire me out, but by patiently answering my endless questions about everything we encountered she planted the seeds of curiosity that would ultimately grow into a lifelong passion for the natural world.

As an adolescent, my summer vacations were spent roaming the 200-acre forest behind our home in Middlesex County, accompanied only by our family’s pet raccoon (yes, we had a pet raccoon - his name was "Buddy"). Buddy and I would raid the garden early in the morning for snacks to fill my pockets, then we'd head to the forest to wander the day away. When pocket snacks ran low, I’d forage for wild apples and berries to tide me over until we returned home for dinner.

Later in life, with more time and resources to spare, I began to focus on wild mushrooms in 2014 and spent several years teaching myself everything I could about them. I was fortunate to find a mentor to help verify my self-taught knowledge and further develop my skills, and after about two years of guidance became skilled enough to begin gathering and cooking the wild mushrooms I found independently. Now I regularly and confidently supplement our grocery bill with wild mushrooms.

While mushrooms have earned their spot as a star player in my foraging adventures, they share the stage with wild plants. My grandmother indulged my endless curiosity, patiently answering my questions about the usefulness and edibility of wild plants—and tolerated my attempts to smuggle pet snakes, crickets, and spiders home in my pockets. From those early lessons, I’ve cultivated a deep appreciation for wild plants and nature at large—a curiosity that has only grown deeper with time.

Beyond the forest, my academic study of Philosophy sharpened my interest in the roots of human connection to the natural world. This same curiosity led me to explore pre-christian European belief systems, whose reverence for the cycles of nature and the wisdom of the land resonate deeply with me. These ancestral customs continue to inspire my respect for the wild, offering perspectives that feel both timeless and profoundly relevant today.

Although I did not inherit her green thumb (RIP to countless houseplants), I did inherit whatever drew my grandmother into nature. This connection has led me on many adventures, including the roughly 900km Bruce Trail end-to-end challenge, a journey that not only immersed me in Ontario’s diverse landscapes but also strengthened my skills as a guide and naturalist.

My early adventures, guided by instinct and insatiable curiosity, laid the foundation for my identity as a (slightly feral) naturalist—a title I’ve proudly carried throughout my life. Today, those same instincts and curiosity guide my work, inspiring others to see the magic in the natural world and reconnect with the rhythms of the land.

As the guide for Spore & Lore, I bring together years of foraging experience, a lifelong love of nature, and a deep respect for the wisdom of ancient traditions. Whether it’s identifying edible plants, unearthing the mysteries of mushrooms, or exploring the stories hidden in the forest, I aim to create experiences that are equal parts educational, immersive, and fun.

For me, the wild is not just a place—it’s a teacher, a sanctuary, and a source of endless inspiration. Every foraging adventure is an opportunity to share its secrets and to remind others of the incredible abundance waiting just beyond the beaten path.