Simona Chutnakova is an educator and nature mentor based in British Columbia, originally from Slovakia. Her path to founding Salmon Forest grew from a lifelong connection to nature, a background in psychology and education, and a deep curiosity about how children learn best — especially outside the walls of a traditional classroom.

After moving to Canada, she briefly worked in a school-age care program, but soon realized she was looking for a deeper connection to her work — something that aligned more closely with her values and love of nature. This led her to seek out something more meaningful — a path that opened up through the Forest and Nature School movement. Volunteering with Streamkeepers introduced her to local conservation work and inspired her to build programs rooted in ecological connection and community.

Today, Salmon Forest runs seasonal forest school programs that invite children to build relationships with the land, learn about Pacific salmon, and explore Indigenous ways of knowing. Simona also works as an Education Assistant in the public school system, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent learners.

In her free time, she’s often out exploring in her campervan, designing nature-based tools like the Tree Lens and Animal Tracking Lens, or experimenting with creative ways to help kids name trees, not brands.

Her work is rooted in a simple goal: to give children — and their families — the space and tools to reconnect with the natural world, and with themselves.