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Angella (Ange) Gibbons, M.Ed., founder and director of EarthWalk (est. 2005) is a seasoned Nature Educator and Community-Builder and has been guiding and mentoring children, teens and adults to care for one another and the earth for almost four decades. Recipient of the 2021 Meeri Zetterstrom Environmental Award given by Green Mountain Power, Ange is well-known across the state for her contributions to nature education and environmental stewardship. Ange and EarthWalk are featured in the book Greening Vermont: A Search for a Sustainable State, which documents the history of the Vermont Environmental Movement. For more than 15 years, from the Plainfield location adjacent to Goddard College, Ange was leading EarthWalk Vermont...
Elizabeth Vitale, EarthWalk's Business Manager, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and has over 20 years experience working in various capacities for both nonprofit and for profit organizations, most recently as Executive Director for a local nonprofit community organization in Cabot. Elizabeth has also been homeschooling her 3 kids since 2015, encouraging them to spend time in nature and learn various homesteading skills with their chickens, ducks and Nigerian Dwarf goats. She has been working with Ange for several years developing the business side of EarthWalk, and also enjoys hiking, basket making, nature crafts and spending time outdoors with kids. She is excited to be working with and growing the whole EarthWalk community!
Maia (“My-ee-ah”) Mencucci, EarthWalk Mentor, grew up homeschooled, mostly outdoors, exploring, playing and learning from, and now—writing about the wild places around her home. Maia is an experienced herbalist, landscaper and is the co-manager of an organic farm in Walden, VT. She is a recent graduate from UVM with degrees in English, Music, and Environmental Science. Maia is creative, wise, compassionate, community-minded and a natural teacher and wonderful with kids! She is excited to be mentoring at EarthWalk Forest School. Maia is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Wendy Buhner, EarthWalk volunteer mentor, is a homeschool parent, an Educator, and a Counselor. She has raised and “schooled" three children on their homestead in Wells River, where they have WoodHeart Farm, a small herbal medicinal and goat dairy farm. Wendy hosts children at their farm through the after-school program at Blue Mountain Union and Newbury Elementary School. Wendy has a master’s degree in counseling and has a deep understanding of healthy child development that is woven into how she works with children. She brings a keen awareness and patience to the moment, and always looks forward to being at EarthWalk in Matsinger Forest, with the children!