Daniel Burton and Trudi Bennett lead the team. They are Nature Connection Mentors and qualified teachers specialising in outdoor classrooms. Trudi and Daniel’s knowledge base has formed over many years through additional professional development, study tours and participation and presentation at various conferences within Australia and internationally. Emphasis is placed on engagement with current research, networks and mentoring relationships.
At Educated by Nature, staff participate fully in play by modelling sensory risk taking, wondering, adventuring, building and encouraging nature awareness. Programs combine freedom for children to live by their instinctive behaviour, with empathy and understanding for nature and each other. We believe this combination assists children to grow resilience through nature connection.
Trudi and Daniel are Education Consultants to Nature Play WA, providing professional learning services and consultation to educators. They have also partnered with Boshack Outback to further develop and deliver all programs and activities offered to schools.
Interested in joining the Educated by Nature team? Check out this link to view our current employment opportunities here.
Daniel Burton
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Education Consultant & Nature Educator, Nature Connection Mentor
Daniel is the CEO and co-founder of Educated by Nature, a world leader in play-based nature education since its establishment in 2014. With a background as a qualified primary school teacher, education consultant, rites of passage facilitator, musical theatre artist and passionate nature connection mentor, Daniel plays a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s vision and initiatives.
Drawing from over ten years of experience working with thousands of Australian children, Educated by Nature has developed a suite of research-based pedagogies aimed at bringing education outdoors and has gained international acclaim for its innovative approach to outdoor learning. Daniel aims to be a thought leader, sharing expertise through workshops, speaking engagements, and consultation sessions in Australia and further afield.
Daniel’s passion for nature and commitment to holistic education shines through in his work. He combines current research with practical examples, drawing on a lifetime of learning and experience to provide comprehensive programs and transformative experiences for educators, parents, and children alike. Through Educated by Nature, Daniel continues to advocate for the importance of play and outdoor learning, empowering individuals to explore, discover, and thrive in nature’s classroom.
- Bachelor of Education (Primary), Murdoch University
- Art of Mentoring, 8 Shields Institute, California
- Rites of Passage Facilitator Training Level 1 & 2, Rites of Passage Institute
- Accredited Bluearth Teacher, Bluearth Foundation
- Rock and Water Training, Gaduka Institute, Netherlands
- Ukulele in the Classroom Training – Level 1, James Hill Institute
- James Hill Ukulele Intensive Training, Destination Arts, Oaxaca Mexico
- Primary Connections Facilitator (Science), Australian Academy of Science/AISWA
- Occupational Health & Safety Representative Course, Edith Cowan University
- Apply First Aid
- Working with Children Check
Daniel is proud to be an Academic Sessional Teacher with Victoria University, a committee member for the Play Matters Collective, The Australian Forest School Association and the Chairperson of Mind the Change Inc.
Find out more about Daniel’s professional experience and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Trudi Bennett
Business Development Manager and Co-Founder
Education Consultant & Nature Educator, Nature Connection Mentor
Trudi is the co-founder of Educated by Nature (established 2014), studied both Sustainable Development and Education and has worked with a variety of organisations in education, science communication, community development and the arts. Trudi has trained in the Art of Mentoring nature connection philosophy and uses her own experience in deep nature connection and grief work to assist children to discover deep nature connection routines which support healthy inner-wellbeing and community. Trudi is passionate about empowering children to achieve their goals, especially in play-based outdoor classrooms, and has practiced this in her role as a Director and Nature Playworker at Educated by Nature as well as in her 13 years teaching at Bold Park Community School and Remida Creative Reuse Centre. Trudi has implemented and modified programs inspired by Reggio Emilia, the Forest School movement and internationally renowned research and has been involved in developing and facilitating camps at Boshack Outback.
Trudi has had the privilege of participating in and presenting at conferences focused on nature-based education and 21st century teaching philosophies, both locally and internationally. She is now mentoring other educators to develop programs which follow children’s passion for play and the outdoors as an Education Consultant for Nature Play WA and as a Creative Practitioner with FORM: building a state of creativity.
- Bachelor of Science (Population, Resources and Technology), Murdoch University
- Diploma of Education (Primary), Murdoch University
- Reggio Emilia Study Tour, Italy
- Nature Pedagogy Course, Federation University Australia
- Art of Mentoring, 8 Shields Institute, California
- Nature Kindergarten Study Tour, Scotland
- Holistic Tracking, Art of Mentoring Australia
- Bronze Medallion, Royal Lifesaving WA
- Provide First Aid
- Working with Children Check
Find out more about Trudi’s professional experience and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Staff
Educated by Nature is made up of a team of passionate, dedicated and energy-filled individuals with vast backgrounds and wonderfully rich experiences to support families and educators of Western Australia. Teachers, Psychologists, Wildlife Carers, Ecologists and Parents are just some of the qualifications of the adults working in the programs we offer.
Isaac Wetherley
Operations Manager
Nature Playworker – Incursions & Roving Programs, KIN Family Programs
Isaac is the Operations Manager at Educated by Nature, where he has been inspiring children, teenagers, and adults to connect with the natural world for the past eight years. Beginning his journey as a junior playworker, Isaac has developed a deep passion for outdoor education and fostering meaningful nature experiences.
Isaac holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia, with a double major in Human Geography and Planning, and Geographical Sciences. His academic background complements his practical experience, providing a unique perspective on environmental education and sustainability.
In addition to his professional role, Isaac is an active volunteer with Scouts WA, serving as the Deputy Chief Commissioner Youth Support. His leadership in this capacity underscores his dedication to empowering young people through skills, adventure, and connection to the environment.
Isaac thrives in the outdoors, whether it’s hiking the Bibbulmun Track, abseiling Bluff Knoll, or simply enjoying a weekend of camping under the stars.
- Working with Children Check
- Bachelor of Science (Human Geography and Planning and Geographical sciences), UWA
- Program Design and Facilitation Skills training, Good Bloke co
- Bronze Medallion, Royal Lifesaving WA
- Provide First Aid
Jonny Neen
Program Development Manager
Play and Playwork Consultant
Jonny has worked with children and young people of all ages, across three continents. He has experience in a range of settings including schools, OSHC clubs, summer camps and community play projects. He is a qualified teacher, playworker and playwork trainer.
Jonny is a passionate advocate for children’s right to play. Throughout his career, he has worked in many roles aimed at cultivating the conditions that children need to play, in the community, at home, and in educational settings.
Prior to joining Educated by Nature, Jonny worked in operational management and strategic roles in local governments in Wales. In Western Australia, he has provided independent consultancy to schools, communities and councils. Such services include play facilitation, mentoring, professional learning and policy development.
Jonny is a PhD candidate and part-time academic at Murdoch University, teaching on a variety of early childhood and play based units. His research examined the enabling and constraining influences on children’s everyday play opportunities in Western Australian communities.
- Bachelor of Arts (PE and Sports Science with Business Studies), University of Liverpool
- Master of Science (Sociology of Sport and Exercise), University of Chester
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (with qualified teacher status), University of Chester
- P3 Playwork Principles into Practice (Level 2 Award and Certificate), Play Wales
- Playwork Trainer and Assessor of Play Wales Qualifications
- Working with Children Check
- Bronze Medallion, Royal Lifesaving WA
Fay Baudains
Education Consultant & Nature Connection Mentor
Nature Playworker – Incursions & Roving Programs, KIN Family Programs
Fay is a Nature Connection Consultant at Educated by Nature, mentoring educators to follow children’s passion for play and the outdoors.
Her training as a primary school teacher and her extensive experience teaching music, creating curriculum and designing programs provides a solid foundation for consultancy with schools and early childhood centres.
Fay has been part of the Educated by Nature team since 2017, working across all programs and areas of the organisation throughout these years.
Fay’s passions lie in working alongside children and adults to teach ways of identifying and connecting with the natural world. Studying permaculture has deepened her understanding of the interconnection of all natural systems and further revealed the human impacts upon those connections.
Most recently Fay has been exploring local bush spaces with classes of students as part of Educated by Nature’s Nature Connection program. This program sees her working over an extended period of time with educators to create and embed nature connection and nature leaning pedagogy into the curriculum in a place-based context.
Fay has had the privilege of participating in and presenting at conferences focused on nature-based education. She was invited to be a Creative Practitioner with FORM: building a state of creativity.
- Diploma of Children’s Services, South Metropolitan TAFE
- Bachelor of Education (Primary), Murdoch University
- Certificate Geoscience Field Practices, Central Institute of Technology
- Permaculture Design Certificate
- Empowered Storytelling, Jon Young
- Working with Children Check
- Provide First Aid
Find out more about Fay’s professional experience and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Fe Waters
Nature Playworker – Incursions & Roving Programs, KIN Family Programs
Fe has been an educator of one kind or another, for more than 30 years. During her time in school classrooms, she taught in every learning area (except LOTE), and every year level from pre-primary to year 12, although she mostly taught woodwork—and drama! Having spent most of her life in Guiding or Scouting, she has a long history of spending time with children in the outdoors. Most weekends she can be found in and on the river, or singing around a fire.
When not outside, she can be found spending time with her family, reading, crafting, or trying out something new!
Elissa Strumpher
Nature Playworker – Incursions & Roving Programs, KIN Family Programs
After moving to Australia at age 13, and feeling disconnected from the unknown birds and plants of a new country, Elissa understands the value of knowledge of and connection to the natural world. She believes that the outdoors provides a uniquely valuable environment for experiencing and learning new things, and for children to develop their physical, emotional and interpersonal skills.
She has recently completed a masters in Public Health, and – much longer ago – an undergraduate degree in Anthropology. She is also interested in textile arts of all kinds, and is passionate about the value of handwork and craft skills.
Elissa has two young boys who enjoy digging holes, playing at the river, and traipsing sand all through the house.
Ayden Stenton
Nature Playworker – Incursions & Roving Programs, KIN Family Programs
Ayden is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering after completing high school in 2021. He loves the outdoors and has spent 10 years as a Scout, gaining knowledge and skills which have changed the course of his life for the better. He also loves being a Volunteer Bush Firefighter where he can protect and educate his community. Ayden believes that Educated by Nature has provided him with a fantastic opportunity to mentor others in exploring and connecting with the natural environment.
Brent Rush
Nature Playworker – Incursions & Roving Programs, KIN Family Programs
Brent is an outdoors advocate and is always keen on an adventure or new experience. He believes that being outside and connected with nature is fuel for the soul and mind. Brent is a keen traveller and has spent extended time travelling and hiking through the Indonesia islands, the European Alps and Appalachian Mountains in the USA. Currently, Brent is studying Behavioural Science & Psychology, as well as International Relations at the University of Western Australia.
He has a passion for youth advocacy and wellbeing, having worked to develop youth focused mental health first training and resources for youth organisations. He was recognised for these efforts in 2019, being nominated as a Young Changemaker at the WA Youth Awards. Outside of work, Brent is an active leader with Scouts WA and a volunteer youth sport coach. He loves working with Educated by Nature, as it allows him to put his passions into practice.up camping, hiking, swimming and canoeing and she loves the outdoors more than ever.
Administration
Amelia Kennedy
Finance Manager
Since completing a Bachelor of Business and starting her career at an accounting firm, where she became a Chartered Accountant, Amelia has worked in a wide range of Business roles in Perth and in the UK. She has been Financial Controller for small businesses and large corporations, a corporate trainer, a Lecturer at university and owner-operator of her own retail business.
As someone who grew up in WA’s wheatbelt, she wishes all children were as free to roam and play outdoors as she did. Amelia time outside of work is spent with her husband, daughters, two spoilt dogs, extended family and her friends. She is an enthusiastic amateur in her vegetable garden and loves reading, hiking and camping.
Tui Dougiamas
Marketing Officer
Tui started working and volunteering at Educated by Nature in their early teens with not a great deal of knowledge or confidence, but large respect for natural environments. Over the years, they have developed into a confident communicator, tool user, tree climber and cubby builder. As a passionate believer in nature education, Tui’s favourite aspect of working at Educated by Nature is helping children take this same journey, building confidence and finding empowerment in their own capabilities playing in nature.
Outside of their work at Educated by Nature, Tui is a PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia.
Junior Staff
We have a growing team of Junior Playworkers; teenagers and young adults who bring energy and vitality to the programs we offer. We are strong believers that children need a range of mentors in their lives, of varying ages and levels of life experience. We see that younger members of our team have unique ways of communicating and connecting with the children at our programs.
Dylan Maybee
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Dylan enjoys being outdoors and has learnt a lot about nature through Scouts. Growing up around water he loves boating, water skiing and stand-up paddle boarding. Dylan really enjoys being a role model for younger children and believes that Educated by Nature will provide him further opportunity to do so while also helping them learn to explore and appreciate the outdoors in a fun environment.
Abbie Whitehead
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Abbie is a current high school student. She loves all things outdoors and has been doing scouts since she was 5-years-old. She finds her work with Educated by Nature very fulfilling! In her free time, Abbie enjoys going camping, taking nature hikes, playing netball, and going to the beach.
Jack Bennett
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Jack is in high school at Christ Church Grammar school. He was born in Australia, but has travelled a lot, living in United States and Norway. In his free time, he enjoys playing floorball and scuba diving. He values nature play because it helps us relax and enjoy life to the fullest.
Hope Bruins
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Hope grew up hiking and camping. She loves going to the beach, snorkelling, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and mountain biking. She has always been surrounded by younger kids and has a great passion for building relationships with them. She loves Educated by Nature because it includes two of her greatest passions, the outdoors and kids.
Molly Yonge
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs, Incursions & Roving Programs
Molly grew up attending Educated by Nature and has always loved spending time in and around nature. She loves exploring and is up for any adventure. Molly is equally at home reading a book in a tree or building a raft on the river. When she’s not outdoors you can find her snuggled up with her cats and dogs at home. She loves the opportunity that Educated by Nature has given her to be able to spend time in nature while helping to mentor and nurture children’s love of the outdoors.
Lyra Telfer
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Lyra is a high school student and also studies at TAFE. They enjoy theatre, sailing, swimming at the beach, and baking. They are currently a Venturer Scout and have been involved with Scouts WA since they were six years old. Lyra was drawn to work at Educated by Nature because they believe that children should get the opportunity to play in the outdoors and connect with nature.
Kezia Marmion
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Kezia is currently a high school student. She enjoys a wide variety of activities including climbing trees, sailing, crocheting and playing hockey or floorball. In her spare time, she enjoys playing a range of musical instruments, such as the violin, piano, clarinet, saxaphone, drums, ukulele, and guitar. Kezia finds that kids are the best company to keep, as they are curious, unafraid, and honest. She is currently a Venturer Scout and has found it to be a comforting and supportive space. In working with Educated by Nature, Kezia feels that she can provide children with similar opportunities to experience a community that encourages them to try new things and grow.
Sam Wride
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Sam is a high school student who enjoys being outdoors, particularly when he is swiming and sailing! Sam has been involved with Scouts since he was 6 years old, and is now a Venturer Scout. Through Scouts, Sam has grown up in nature, developing a deep appreciation for all the fun and learning that can be had outside. He loves getting to spend even more time outdoors through his work with Educated by Nature.
Charlotte Thong
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Charlotte is a current high school student. She attended the KIN program throughout her younger years and loves being able to help create more awesome experiences for kids. She loves the outdoors, whether it’s in a tree reading her favourite book, or hiking on the Bold Park trails.
Sarah Atkinson
Junior Playworker – KIN Family Programs
Sarah has always liked spending time in and around nature, having attended Educated by Nature herself when she was younger. She loves trying new adventures, whether its sailing to Rottnest or waking up for a sunrise ocean dip. She enjoys spending time in nature, especially camping or bushwalking as it helps her to slow down. Sarah loves working at Educated by Nature as it allows her to pass on her love of nature to kids and provide a safe space for them to be understood.
Junior Mentors
We meet so many incredible humans at our programs, our KIN Villagers and Bush Inventors who jump head first into all of the opportunities on offer. Some of these incredible humans have exceeded the age limit of our programs, are super keen to still be a part of our community, but are not quite old enough to apply to become Junior Nature Playworkers (our 15-19 year old staff members).
So, we’ve created a new position – introducing the Junior Mentor program. These 13-15 year olds have been long time participants who have shown specific skills in mentoring, community connection, peer support, nature connection, tinkering and generally being super helpful. Individuals who have been invited to join us throughout the holidays to support the team of Nature Playworkers in helping facilitate the program.
The Junior Mentor program is another way we are working on creating a vibrant and diverse community of mentors for the kids who attend our programs whilst providing the opportunity to mentor the mentors in facilitation, leadership, initiative, helpfulness and community connection.
Our current Junior Mentors are Jack, Sophia, Tristan, Chloe, Owen and Sarah.
