Spencer Nielsen

Guide

Spencer has been working with youth since 2001 in a variety of settings, mostly in the wildlands of California. He has been guiding teen backpacking trips since 2006, and working full time as an environmental educator since then. He has led hundreds of youth in wilderness rites of passage, having started various coming-of-age programs and working with high schools to guide youth in wilderness fasts. Beyond a bachelor's degree in Ecology and master's in Integrative Eco-Social Design, his most impactful training has been with Jon Young, School of Lost Borders, Wilderness Reflections, and Stepping Stones Project. Spencer is passionate about sharing the magic of the mountains and the night sky with all ages.

Spencer has evolved as a landscaper, gardener, farmer, permaculture designer and educator since the year 2000, when he began studying ethnobotany. As an herbalist, he has studied both native California plants as well as systems of Ayurveda and Daoist medicine. He is an Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant and teaches Permaculture and Ayurveda at Sivananda Yoga Farm and Natura Institute for Ecology & Medicine. He had been practicing qigong since 2006, and has completed teacher training in both hatha yoga and qigong. He has taught both in numerous settings - the wilderness being his favorite. He is currently studying Tui Na, Medical Qigong, and Classical Chinese Medicine.

Spencer is a musician, currently passionate about guitar and always brings a flute and stringed instrument into the backcountry, along with plenty of tea. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

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