Our Story
Sudbury Forest School is Northern founded, owned and operated nature-education initiative. Founded by a mom, certified forest & nature school practitioner, and inclusive learning advocate for accessible outdoor pedagogy in Northeastern Ontario.
Forest & Nature School Pedagogy
Rooted in child-led learning, safe exploration, exploration and respect for the land. Forest School builds confidence, encourages thinking outside the box, and exploratory play and learning.
Jennifer Labelle - Founder & Lead Practitioner
Hello and welcome! My name is Jennifer and I’m a mom certified Forest & Nature School Practitioner through Child & Nature Alliance of Canada. I have a bachelor of arts degree in History from Laurentian University where I studied Canadian and European history as well as Indigenous Studies and folklore.
I worked in the horticulture industry for several years where I developed a mind for business and dedication to things that grow and time outdoors. I spent sometime working for a non-profit pre-school where I taught and served on the board of directors, offering me the opportunity to experience managing an early learning centre. Recently I’ve enjoyed working with a local non-profit trail based organization, working with volunteers to facilitate and plan free public outdoor hike and nature programming.
I am an advocate for inclusive nature-based education as I hold the lived experience of seeing its magic unfold with my own sons. While all children benefit from time in nature and on land, nature has a special role in regulating neurodivergent children and adults.
I love incorporating art in my forest school work, as I also own a small art studio called Moonwort Cottage where I create paintings, ceramics and botanical goods rooted in forests, folklore, and plant wisdom. I became a master herbalist in 2019 and specialize in identification and properties of the plants that grow wild here in Northern forests.
I am looking forward to the beginnings of Sudbury Forest School, and seeing where the path leads.