born in the bay area, made in the Sierra Nevadas
Uplifting young people, in service of all life
Our Mission
We support young people’s whole-human thriving through immersive wilderness experiences and ongoing mentorship. We use the natural world as a primary tool and setting to support youth in developing purpose, resilience, and genuine connection with themselves, each other, and the Earth.
We stand for a culture where transformative experiences in nature belong to all young people – not only those with the financial and familial resources to locate them. We are committed to expanding access and equity, actively and continuously, as a core expression of our mission.
Our Vision
Full-spectrum
Human thriving
Our Commitments
What We Stand For
- Access & Equity
- A Welcoming Entry Point
- Accountability & Transparency
Our Story
A Labor of Love
What did we need when we were teenagers? What kinds of relationships with peers and mentors did we long for, and where would we have found them?
Back to Earth started as a labor of love. Eli Marienthal and Jesse Sachs met at Berkeley High, where they became friends through a shared love of wild places, movement, music, and art. Years later, after graduate school and time spent learning from elders across different traditions, they both found themselves back in Berkeley, carrying the same question.
For them, the answer had always included the mountains. Backpacking in the Sierras as teens had given them their first real sense of purpose and belonging. So they started taking other young men out into the same backcountry, not to escape the world, but to return to it more fully. That was the beginning of WILD: Wilderness Immersion and Leadership Development.
Out there
Pillars of Our Practice
What
Guides Us
Four practices rooted in the wisdom of the old ways. Select each to go deeper.
Gratitude
"The earth is a living being. Our first act every morning is to give thanks."
Our original instructions as humans are to honor all elements of creation with gratitude. This remembrance helps us recognize that our lives are deeply tied to the earth and its gifts.
Gratitude is often the first step toward reconnecting with ourselves and beginning the work of healing the world. Whether it's a shared thanksgiving circle, a moment of awe on the trail, or a quiet thank you whispered into the wind, we seek to build a culture where gratitude moves freely and inspires care for the planet.
Joy
"Wildness and joy are not opposites of seriousness — they are the ground it grows from."
Joy is a vital expression of our humanity and one of the most generous offerings we can share with each other and the world.
We teach that joy lives in challenge and movement, in moments of wildness, in seeing the familiar with new eyes, and in welcoming the unknown. Singing, dancing, swimming, and play are not distractions but central to how we reconnect with what matters. When we nurture joy, we strengthen our vitality and deepen our sense of belonging to each other and to the earth.
Honesty
"Real connection is only possible where truth has been spoken."
Honesty is a cornerstone of our way of life. Being honest with ourselves cultivates accountability; being honest with others creates the conditions for real connection.
When we speak truthfully, we not only honor our own integrity but also create space for others to do the same. In this way, honesty becomes a powerful tool for building trust, clearing confusion, and supporting communities rooted in care and resilience.
Awareness
"Slow down. The answers you need are already inside you — waiting to be noticed."
A meaningful life begins with the choice to pay attention — especially to what lives within us.
Though often overlooked in the rush of modern life, a rich inner world is part of our birthright. We encourage practices that help individuals tune in to their emotions, reflect with purpose, and move through life with intention. As we grow in self-awareness, we become more capable of making choices that sustain both ourselves and the natural world we're a part of.
Our Lineage
"The things that we do have been passed to us down a long line with a clear intention that they be made use of in service of protecting the seed of life and raising up healthy people. Bringing the good mind back to the human beings."
Our practices are rooted in the teachings of John Stokes (The Tracking Project) and George Bertelstein (Medicine Path). Not religion — transmission of practice. Ancestral wisdom made real and useful for young people today.
Keep Exploring
Thanks for being here — on Earth.
It takes all of us.
Every young person we work with, every family that trusts us with their child, every guide who shares their wisdom, and every supporter who believes in our mission is part of this community.
Explore Our Programs