Founder of The Ohmapi Nature Project which is an educational program where children learn through nature while in nature.
Growing up in Wisconsin, Dawn immersed herself in the wild beauty of the natural world, spending countless hours exploring its untamed landscapes establishing a deep connection to nature within. As a young adult, Dawn left the forests to pursue a career in architecture and interior design. Drawn to the school's philosophy of "Learning By Doing " she attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1993.
After establishing a successful design firm and retail store with her husband, Dawn returned to her studies in 2005 at the University of Washington, where she focused on teaching. Her master’s thesis centered on design-build, and she dedicated nine months as a teaching assistant on a project that involved her class constructing a multigenerational home for the indigenous community of Yakima, WA. Dawn also shared her expertise as an instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Art Institute of Orange County for 5 years.
Motherhood reignited Dawn’s appreciation for the outdoors, as she recognized the profound benefits nature offered her daughter. Enrolling her child in a nature kindergarten program inspired Dawn to create her own nature school, blending her passions for experiential learning and the great outdoors. Since then, the school has flourished, and Dawn has dedicated herself to deepening her knowledge of nature and primitive skills, discovering innovative ways to share these experiences with children. When she’s not adventuring outdoors with her students, Dawn enjoys running at sunrise, embracing the freedom and joy of the natural world.