Holly Jo is the Program Director for ANFT’s Certified Forest Therapy Trails Program.  In this role, she provides leadership and guidance in the development of the program, guidance and support for ANFT’s Certification Consultants who are supporting land managers and stewards through the certification process to create immersive Forest Therapy experiences.

Holly Jo is also a trainer for ANFT’s Trail Consultant Program, educating and mentoring certified guides who wish to become consultants. Through this work, she helps equip guides with the skills and knowledge to assist land managers in designing and implementing Forest Therapy trails. At its core, the Trails, Spaces & Places Program is about partnership, and Holly Jo plays a key role in facilitating collaboration between land stewards and the Forest Therapy community, ensuring that certified spaces invite deep connection with nature while honoring ecological integrity and accessibility.

In addition to her work with the Trails Program, Holly Jo supports ANFT’s Member Services, providing guidance and resources to the growing community of Forest Therapy Guides and partners.

For as long as I can remember, nature has been my greatest teacher, healer, and guide. My connection to the natural world runs deep, shaped by years spent as both a caretaker and an advocate for wild places.

As a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide (2019) and founder of Wyld Walks, I create opportunities for people to slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover their innate belonging in the more-than-human world. My guiding is rooted in reciprocity, offering experiences that inspire a deep, felt sense of relationship with the land – one that transforms not just the individual, but the way we collectively care for our planet.

I now carry this work forward as the Program Director for the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy’s (ANFT) Forest Therapy Trails Program where I support the development of trails that provide immersive, healing experiences in nature. This program helps ensure that landscapes are intentionally designed or certified to facilitate deep connection for all who seek the benefits of forest therapy.

Prior to this work, I spent 15 years as a Park Ranger at a regional park and wildlife refuge along Colorado’s Front Range. Stewarding those landscapes strengthened my dedication to conservation, accessibility, and the protection of biodiversity. Whether through education, advocacy, or immersive experiences, my commitment remains the same: to foster pathways of connection that heal both people and the natural world.

I’m always open to collaborations, conversations, and new ways to deepen our relationship with nature. Let’s connect!