About Us
Dr. Rick Bartlett is a certified Yasei Shinrin Yoku guide who leads nature immersion experiences through organizations such as The Phoenix (https://thephoenix.org/) and the Great Plains Nature Center. With over 3 decades of experience in higher education and leadership development, his work focuses on helping leaders and creatives slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.
Mission
Karen Bartlett brings over 40 years of expertise as a licensed master social worker, along with a masters degree in neuroscience and trauma. She is a certified coach in sleep, stress management, and recovery, and a sought-after author and spiritual director. Her work helps people understand how stress shapes daily life and guides them toward long-lasting restorative rhythms.
Her journey into nature's healing power started when she was battling intense workplace stress alongside a long recovery from a sports injury. Feeling frustrated, anxious, and down, she noticed a shift whenever she spent time outside—whether walking mindfully or just sitting and taking in her surroundings. Her mind grew calmer, and her body felt more resilient. As a lifelong learner, she has spent years diving into books, articles, and neuroscience research to understand exactly how the environment helps our nervous systems reset. Today, combining her personal experience with science, she knows firsthand that stepping outside every day—even for just a short while—restores a deep sense of peace and hope that flows into everything she does.