Ruta is the Wild Ferns Founder, Director, and Lead Guide. She is an outdoor educator with over fifteen years of childcare experience. The 2020-2021 pandemic year was the starting point for Wild Ferns where Ruta was the lead teacher and curriculum developer for a group of first graders. She has previously worked for Brooklyn Nature Days. She has attended trainings in conflict mediation, connection centered discipline techniques, Forest School pedagogy, and RIE certification. Her inspiration for her work stems from a deep value of respectful communication and inquiry based learning. She grew up with a great love of climbing trees, building forts, and scampering through the forest.

Devin is a gardener and martial artist as well as an aspiring natural builder. He has experience in teaching fencing skills to children of all ages and loves battling some of our famous Wild Ferns warriors. He is pictured with Ruta's dogs Tuka and Hank, who will not be attending but send their bark support.