About Marina

I am a nature educator, certified Forest School leader, certified practitioner of Sacred Plant Medicine, and film-maker. I am a member of the Irish Forest School Association (IFSA) and full member of the Foundation for Sacred Plant Medicine (FSPM).

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Since 2019, I have been on the Heritage in Schools panel of experts with the Heritage Council of Ireland. I am also co-founder and CEO of Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary in county Clare, Ireland, where I volunteer together with a beautiful team of like-minded people to preserve the amazing wilderness that still exists here.

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Prior to discovering my passion for working with children and the world of nature, herbal medicine, and rewilding, I completed a doctorate, two Masters degrees, and a summa cum laude Bachelors degree, and lectured at Trinity College Dublin. I am a published author and have produced several documentary films and television programs.

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After many years in academia and working in film, I realised that I wanted to help children reconnect with Nature and to deepen my connection with the plant world. I completed the Way of the Wise Healer apprenticeship and several years of advanced training in Sacred Plant Medicine with Carole Guyett, the wonderful herbalist, healer and medicine woman based in county Clare, Ireland. I also completed the Forest School Leadership training with Huathe at Brigid's Garden, Roscahill, Co Galway. I took a leap of faith and changed my career. Since 2016, I developed and have been offering workshops to primary schools about Native Irish Wildflowers and Trees through the arts. It has been so much fun to be able to share the magic of the plants with the children in this way, visiting classrooms all across counties Galway and Clare. During the pandemic, I also offered many workshops to the children online as part of the Heritage in Schools programme, guiding them on imaginary walks through the ancient woodland where they could see the plants, listen to the Music of the Plants, and ask me questions all along our walk.

 

I teach Sacred Plant Medicine and hold sacred ceremony to honour the land, in connection to the changing seasons of the year. I have taught workshops on herbal medicine and given talks at different events, including at the Galway Garden Festival and at Galway Museum, on the beauty and wisdom of native Irish plants and folk plant medicine.

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In 2022, Wild Plants Can Sing Forest school was born, set on the beautiful 44 acres in east Clare. My husband and I are blessed to be guardians of this precious land.

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I am Garda vetted and certified in Remote First Aid.

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Everyone who comes to work or volunteer here at Wild Plants Can Sing Forest School is also Garda vetted.

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Over the past two years, I have worked together with my wonderful fellow Forest School leaders, Maura Brennan and Áine Ni Fhlatharta. 

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Gratitude to the Plants

I love Plants and all of Nature and love sharing the magic of plants with children. 

Plants are my friends and allies, and I am very grateful for their support, healing and medicine they have shared and continue to share so generously. They are amazing teachers.

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We all have so much support. All we need to do is open our hearts and listen, feel, and trust the Universe.

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With love,

Marina