Astounding Earth

Mentoring for your personal
nature connection journey.

Mentoring

NATURALIST MENTORING Program

Interested in becoming a more well rounded naturalist through one on one mentorship?

Luke is now offering one-on-one mentoring in naturalist and nature awareness skills tailored to suit your interests and learning style.

In one on one mentoring Luke guides you through the process of expanding your awareness and understanding of the natural world with emphasis on building relationships with birds, plants, insects, fish, fungi, mammals and ecosystems at large. In working with Luke, you will learn personalized practices to deepen your skills and ability to identify, engage, and be in relationship with the greater natural community where you live.

Luke Cannon has been passionately mentoring individuals along their nature connection journeys since 1999. Decades of dirt time, dedicated study, and training with master mentors aid Luke in guiding others toward valuable growth and depth in their naturalist journey.

This apprenticeship is to inspire, encourage and support you to lean into what you are passionate about and to grow your naturalist awareness

As an apprentice, you will gain practical naturalist skills such as:

Learn the ways of tracking and bird language
Get to know your local birds, plants, insects, amphibians, fungi, mammals and ecosystems
Learn valuable nature-connection practices that expand your awareness and senses.
Discover practical ways to help protect local wildlife and habitat
Learn and skills for facilitating and mentoring others in nature connection activities
Deepen your personal connection and relationship to the wilds around you

Contact

Details/FAQ:

What is the structure like? How do we engage?

We will meet for two sessions a month via phone or Zoom and six in-person, small group*, woods time sessions every 6 months for local participants.

Do I need to live in Western North Carolina to participate?

No, anywhere in the east or southeast is great.

Do I need experience as a naturalist?

Nope. Absolute beginner or advanced, wherever you are at along your naturalist journey is perfect. I will tailor the activities based on your personal goals, interests and skill level.

Are payment plans available?

Yes! Please see the scholarships and payment plan tab on the ABOUT page.

Commitment:

The apprenticeship begins with a 6 month commitment with at least two sessions per month. This is short enough as a do-able commitment and long enough to lean into becoming a naturalist.

Price:

Astounding Earth believes no one should be turned away for lack of funds, especially when it comes to learning about nature and the astounding earth around us. Our sessions are twice a month on a sliding scale. Choose a tier that is authentic for you.

Monthly fee includes 2, hour and half phone or Zoom sessions per month, one 3.5 hour in person, small group*, session per month, plus additional phone and email support of your weekly goals and practices.

*Our Small Groups are made of the 1 to 6 apprentices that make up the 6 month cohort.

Payment/Tuition

$75 per session ($225 per month) if apprenticing is a stretch financially.

$100 per session ($300 per month) if you’re doing well.

$125 per session ($375) if you are financially flourishing.

For more information, or to set up a phone call to discuss a custom naturalist mentoring journey, contact Luke.

Wild Wanderings - Winter Outings

This program is specifically created for seasoned participants looking to continue deepening their connections with the wild communities and beings of Western North Carolina.

We will spend full days slowing down on the land, walking the Winter landscape, often far from any trail.

We will collect seeds from the vestiges of summer plants, listen to the soft calls of passing multispecies flocks and decode tracks left by passing beasts.

While visiting giant trees, waterfalls or active beaver dams, we will take time to grow our inner and outer awareness and practice a variety of skills including: backcountry navigation, reading the landscape, fire making, reading tracks and following animal trails.

Both Programs are now FULL.

Days/Dates/Time:
Two Separate Programs on Sundays and on Wednesdays.
Folks are welcome to both, but some content and localities may overlap.

Sundays 9:30am - 4 pm. FULL

November: 15th and 22nd
December: 6th and 20th
January: 10th and 24th

OR Wednesdays 9:30am - 4 pm FULL

November: 11th and 18th

December: 2nd and 16th

January: 6th and 20th

Tuition: $300 - $400
Payment plans and work-trade may be arranged.

This program includes some vigorous hiking both on and off trail. Contact Luke for more information.

Sacred Naturalist School1

The Sacred Naturalist School

For 2026 The Sacred Naturalist School will be a 7 day naturalist immersion located in the beautiful mountains of Eastern Tennessee.

We meet for a week to deepen our relationships, reverence, and knowledge of this astounding bioregion. We dive deep into the immense diversity of the region, meeting and exploring the lives of plants, trees, birds, fungi, mammals, insects, amphibians and the cycles and ecosystems that weave us all together.

Blackberry Blossom Farm in Tennessee will be our base camp for walks, talks, embodiment practices, yoga, dance, story telling, camping, hiking, swimming, fires, games and much more!

Details still being worked out. Contact Luke for updates.