Our People
Ecolia is led by educators and visionaries with experience in academia, research, childhood education, media, environmental education, and Indigenous communities. We believe that meaningful education grows through collaboration and that no single perspective has all the answers. Our team brings together different forms of knowledge, experiences, and ways of understanding the world. We learn from one another, from children, from communities, and from nature itself. We believe knowledge can move in many directions, and that everyone has something to teach, something to share, and something new to discover.
“In an increasingly digital world, children need opportunities to slow down, explore, play, and build a deep connection with nature. Through this connection, they can develop a sense of belonging, agency, curiosity, and care for the world around them. Ecolia was created to nurture these connections and help children grow with nature, not apart from it.” Dr. Flavia Ferreira Santos – Founder
Nature gives children something no screen can offer: the freedom to explore with all their senses, to wonder, to get their hands dirty, and to discover at their own pace. Our role is not to tell children what to see, but to create the space for them to notice, question, and build their own relationship with the living world.” Julie Gartner – Educator
“Nature inspires and connects us, awakening the creativity within us. I see nature as a blank canvas where children can explore, imagine, experiment, and transform what they see into their own expressions of art.” Molly – Art Educator