Firecraft Northwest takes you outside to connect with nature, learn survival skills, and build community.
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connect with nature
Build awareness in the outdoors by learning to track animals, identify birds and plants, and study ecology.
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learn survival & bushcraft skills
Develop skills you can use for camping and recreation or in an emergency.
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build community
Make friends, travel to new places, learn alongside like-minded people, and join powerful outdoor experiences to remember.
“Ryan's expertise and passion for outdoor survival shine through in every lesson. His approachable teaching style and deep knowledge make learning both engaging and practical. I always come away feeling more confident in my outdoor skills after every session with Firecraft Northwest” — Ty Warren, Nature and Survival Series participant
“Some of my favorite memories of living in Washington state over the past few years are thanks to the Firecraft Northwest nature series and classes I've participated in. I've made lifelong friendships, and found a sense of belonging thanks to the community of nature enthusiasts they bring together.” —Nicole Novelli, Nature and Survival Series participant
why we do what we do
As we continue to rely more heavily on technology and online engagement, we are becoming more disconnected from one another and the natural world. A well-known author and thinker in the outdoor education field coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder to describe the phenomenon, particularly among youth. Recent studies show we spend about seven hours or more on a screen each day.
We are also learning more about how time spent in nature is good for both our physical and mental health, including improved mood, reduced anxiety, and improved memory and cognition. For youth and adults alike, time in nature can also improve focus when returning to work and classrooms.
Our goal is to facilitate immersive activities and teach skills that help participants reengage with nature, reawaken the senses, and “notice” the world around them. We bring people together for shared experiences to build community, meet other like-minded individuals, and inspire continued connections. The benefits to our physical and mental health, and our overall well being are incredible.
We hope that our outings will energize participants to get outside even when they’re not with us - bringing friends and family outdoors to continue fostering their relationship with nature. Skills taught during classes and workshops build confidence, deepen understanding of the natural world, and provide a multitude of ways we can connect with nature everyday from urban areas to deep wilderness.
We’re an ecologically and socially conscious small business
We’re a small business and support other small businesses when we can through our purchases. We aim to offer at least one free class per month and offer scholarships and sliding scales when we can to ensure cost isn’t a barrier to accessing our experiences. We regularly partner with non-profit groups and government agencies to support the mission of like-minded organizations. Our teaching style is open and flexible in an attempt to provide spaces where everyone feels welcome to join, ask lots of questions, and try skills out of their comfort zone. Community-building aspects are incorporated into most of our work to develop local and regional resilience and encourage connections long after classes are over. Learn more about us in our bios below.
Meet the Team
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ryan johnson
FOUNDER, CO-OWNER, INSTRUCTOR
Born in New York and raised in the desert southwest of Arizona, Ryan has been fascinated by science and biology since early childhood. Prowling the wildlife mountain preserves and parks of his hometown were just the beginning of a lifelong dedication to learning everything he could about the natural world.
His passions include woodworking and crafting, birding, shelter building, fire building, outdoor cooking, and teaching. His journey into Outdoor Education began years ago volunteering as a Naturalist at Oxbow Regional Park. This experience fueled the inspiration to pursue a career in the outdoors. Ryan is an expert in outdoor skills and a Pacific Northwest Naturalist and Wildlife Tracker.
Certifications & Experience
- Track & Sign III - Tracker Certification North America
- Wilderness First Responder - Remote Medical Training
- PNW “Nature University” Naturalist training program - Oregon Metro Parks and Recreation
- Bachelors Degree - Biochemistry - Arizona State University 2013
- Bachelors Degree - Psychology - Arizona State University 2009
- Shining Star School Nature Immersion Leader - 2017-2018
- Trackers Earth Outdoor Educator, Program Coordinator, and Program Director - 2017-2021
- Volunteer Naturalist: Oxbow Regional Park Oregon - 2017-2019
- Oregon Metro Adult Survival Class Guest Instructor & Naturalist 2018-2019
- Bell Creek Nature School Teacher for Adults and Kids - 2020 - 2024
- Skills Instructor at the Chuckanut Center in Bellingham - 2021-2024
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Hunter’s Safety Training Certified
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife State Trapper Training Certified
Contact Ryan:
480-603-7106
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licia sahagun
CO-OWNER, INSTRUCTOR
Licia was born in the concrete jungle of the Chicago suburbs, however, she feels extremely fortunate to have grown up on a 10-acre non-working farm outside of her hometown suburb. There she grew up exploring, playing, and just being outside on a regular basis, which fostered her love for nature and her drive to spend time outdoors.
Licia has more than a decade of program, organization, and operations management experience including as Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives Program Manager at Washington State Parks and Recreation, Executive Director of Wild Whatcom - an outdoor education non-profit in Whatcom County, and Deputy Director at the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School.
Certifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Sustainable Development - University of Illinois
- Master’s in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR.
- Former Partners & Strategic Initiatives Program Manager, Washington State Parks and Recreation
- Former Executive Director, Wild Whatcom
- Former Deputy Director, Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School
- Former Executive Director, Youth and Family Center of McHenry County
- Wilderness First Aid, NOLS, 2019
- Master Gardener certification through Oregon State University
- Advancing Birder Certificate, Ed Swan and Whatcom Audubon
- Understanding Conflict from Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
- Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner:Nutrition Therapy Institute, Denver, Colorado
- Registered Yoga Instructor:200-hour certification course;Association for Yoga and Meditation; Yoga Alliance USA-, Indian Yoga Alliance-, and International Yoga Federation Certified School; Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Contact Licia:
815-219-6795