Our Board

Theresa Hohman Board Secretary

Theresa Hohman’s love of the natural world began with a move to Minnesota at age seven. Playing “Expedition” with her sister along the banks of a nearby lake (which they affectionately called 'the pond') was more than childhood fun; it was an early introduction to the earth - its elements, energies, and ecosystems. Rowing across the waters, exploring snowy woods, and sitting silently on a hillside contemplating the land she now called home sparked a reverence for the natural world and a deep love of humanity which continues. Today, Theresa couldn’t imagine leaving the sanctuary that is the Pacific Northwest – her home of many years.

In addition to her lifelong connection with nature, Theresa brings extensive experience working with nonprofits dedicated to affordable housing, and small business experience as well. She holds degrees in Biology and Comparative Religion. She’s honored to be part of Ancient Earth Outings, a mission rooted in truths she’s long understood – that nature has the power to heal, transform and awaken within us a deep sense of oneness. It is from this oneness that she proceeds—quietly, intentionally, in service to the greater good.

Sheryl Shapiro Board Treasurer

Dan Stroh Board President

Dan is the founder of Ancient Earth Outings, and principal guide. See more on Dan in "About your Guide" below.

Sheryl Shapiro delights in explorations of the natural world, the complex beauty of community and playing with words, sounds, color, and movement. She engages with her Judaic heritage, known and unknown, as a joyful and healing journey of remembrance and resilience. Her studies, spiritual practices, work and play affirm and strengthen her desire and capacity to offer healing and connection and finding new ways to integrate internal growth with change in the world.

Raised in a small Brooklyn apartment with no yard, Sheryl longed for a garden of her own. She found her own way to create one: rescuing sprouting produce from local vegetable stands (thank you amused and kind grocers!) and growing them suspended by toothpicks in jars of water perched on narrow windowsills. An abundance of plants (including salvaged seeds and bulbs) continue to grace her home, now in Seattle, in windows and nooks and at last, her family porch/yard gardens.

Sheryl holds degrees in Environmental Science and International Development Education and Teacher Certification in Bilingual Education and Life Sciences. She has enjoyed a rich career in education, public engagement and ecology working to build partnerships that ignite and nurture a sense of place, connection, justice and well-being. Sheryl developed a deep relationship with the Longfellow Creek Watershed where she was the Educator/Coordinator for 12 years. The collaborative work with neighbors, students, tribal communities, local government, businesses artists, and community organizations to discover, engage with and help restore Longfellow Creek (trad. Lushootseed language: t7áWee) on Duwamish land, aka West Seattle, is still evolving today.

I believe that deep nature connection is life-enhancing and profoundly healthy — for each of us, for our communities, and for the entire planet.

Dan grew up in central Virginia and connected early on to a love of nature through hiking and backpacking in the nearby Appalachian Mountains. He moved to Seattle over 25 years ago, and has spent many days exploring the Pacific Northwest through hiking, backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking and backcountry skiing. These experiences ultimately made him want to share his deep appreciation for nature with others. This started years ago with co-founding a program called Ancient Earth Outings (namesake of the current organization), which took small parties on retreats to share art, mindfulness, and immersion in nature.

He has also realized a long career in city planning, believing that healthy and livable cities are good for people and nature. He is an advocate for urban design that creates opportunities for people to connect with nature at every scale, from the individual building to neighborhoods, cities and regions.

Dan is certified as a forest therapy guide through the international Association for Nature and Forest Therapy. He leads individuals and groups on nature encounters through an approach that is gentle, sensory, and relational, with the understanding that encounters with nature can be transformational in ways that are hard to predict but very real. He is also a visual artist, with a painting practice that explores nature in a changing world.

About Your Guide, Dan Stroh