Ciara Hinksman
Ciara Hinksman is the director of WeAreNature Ltd. and runs Forest School Ireland – formerly Earth Force Education, founded in 2009. In 2008 she lived off-grid in Co. Kerry for three months immersed in bushcraft, nature awareness and sustainable living practices. She went to the first Art of Mentoring camp in the UK, based on the inspirational work of tracker, cultural creative and deep nature connection mentor Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute which included another friend and mentor Mark Morey and Maeve Gavin. Subsequently, she travelled extensively in the UK and USA meeting and learning from nature connection mentors, powerful youths, and Elders. Truly inspired Ciara wanted to be part of bringing connection to nature, to self, and to others, back home. Her passion is for facilitating place-based, learner-centred development through story, wildlife, plants, crafts and play whilst also following the natural cycles of our seasons and lives.
In 2013 she hosted the OCN Level 3 Certificate Forest School Leader training for the first time in R.O.I. She has since become an associate trainer with Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC and is the founding chair of the Irish Forest School Association.
Since 2023, Ciara has been involved with the design and delivery of the Irish QQI level 6 Forest School leadership qualification, in collaboration with and provided by Brigit’s Garden in Galway and is so delighted to share her passion for this connective work rooted in Ireland.
Ciara is overjoyed to be part of the growing movement of Forest School and it’s community of practitioners in Ireland and around the world. Together we are working towards empowering people of all ages to develop and grow in community and in relationship to the Earth.
