Discover the Wonders of Nature in your own backyard and beyond!
The Backyard Nature Academy is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting you with the natural world through hands-on environmental education. We are partnering with Havenroot, an event location and 200 acre forest in Veneta, OR to provide you with a nature center to visit, programs, hikes, school field trips, adventures and homeschool programs.
Who we are
Hi! I'm Michelle Shula - a Master Naturalist and educator with over 20 years experience teaching in nature.
I have a passion for connecting kids and families with the outdoors and believe all children need open-ended nature based play and experiences to thrive. I'm also a mom of 2 little ones and have taught with the NPS, NFS, at local and state parks around the country, and now with my own nonprofit! Backyard Nature was created to help protect the wildlife that calls our beautiful state home and get kids off their screens and excited about nature again! Won't you come play outside with us?
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Our Mission
We celebrate local wildlife through engaging resources.
The Backyard Nature Academys mission is to foster deep connection to the wildlife that lives right in your backyard and community through hands on experiences, adventures and activities in order to facilitate a better understanding and ultimately more support for the wildlife we share the world with.
Field Trips and
Custom Programs
Backyard Nature Academy can create a custom 1-2 hour program on topics of your choice
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Field Trips are offered both on site at Havenroot's beautiful 200 acre forest or in your classroom with hands-on activities, games and natural items (skulls! Fur! etc) that directly link to your current science standards. Grades k-8
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The Backyard Nature Academy has naturalist certified teachers who will entertain and excite your students to learn more about the natural world. Need a wildflower garden at your school? We're here to help. Want to teach about pollinators but don't know where to start? We've got you covered. Want to meet some local wildlife close up? We'll bring them to you!
