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Connect with Nature and
Embrace the Magic of the Wild World

blue jay botanicals

Blue Jay Botanicals provides participants with immersive opportunities to deepen their relationship with nature and embrace the magic of the wild world through guided forest bathing walks, herbal workshops and plant identification walks.

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Founded by Cherianne Cybulskie, certified Forest Bathing Guide, nature educator, and community herbalist. Blue Jay Botanical’s mission is to help people nurture and grow their connection with nature, themselves and their community.

 

Blue Jay Botanicals offers guided walks and workshops in the Thousand Islands Region and surrounding areas. Learn about forest bathing walks, here.

cherianne cybulskie blue jay botanicals

Cherianne Cybulskie - Forest Bathing Guide, Nature Nerd, Woodland Fairy, Community Herbalist 

I have always felt at home in nature. I grew up in the Thousand Islands region, exploring the meadows in my backyard and swimming the beaches of the St. Lawrence around Gananoque, Ontrario. I remember rushing outside in the summer to catch fireflies and spending endless hours propped up next to a tree with a notebook. 

 

My passion for exploring the outdoors led me to study Outdoor and Adventure Education at Fleming College. From there I went on to facilitate programs at outdoor centers and nature organizations such as: canoeing, kayaking, day hikes, snowshoeing, firebuilding, high ropes and low ropes challenge courses, team building initiatives and more. It was during these experiences that I discovered my love for reconnecting people with nature. While working at Gamiing Nature Centre, I had the rewarding opportunity to develop and implement a forest school program for school aged kids.

 

In my early twenties I met herbalist Laura Gilmour of Wild Muskoka Botanicals. She inspired my passion for plants and I quickly dove into the world of wild foods, botany, foraging, herbal medicine, growing medicinal herb gardens and medicine preparation. I have completed online learning with Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine, LearningHerbs and CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism, attended in person herbal workshops, classes, conferences and continue to pursue personal studies through time on the land, books, podcasts, online courses and in person learning - I am forever a student of the plants.

 

My connection with nature helps support my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Often, the forest is where I go when I need to recalibrate, refresh and reflect. When I discovered the Japanese wellness practice of Shinrin Yoku or ‘Forest Bathing’, I knew I wanted to share the benefits with my community. I completed the Forest Bathing Guide Certification through Wild Roots Nature and Forest School and I am excited to help people slow down, explore with a curious mind and have some fun outdoors.

 

I adore porcupines, enjoy a good fantasy romance read, Blue Rodeo is one of my favourite bands (though I do feel I need to mention Queen and Billy Talent), I love a good tv series that makes me feel like the characters are family and I dream of living on the East coast, surrounded by wild roses and the ocean breeze. For now, you can find me in Brockville watching the cargo ships pass by to sea, snuggled up in my apartment with my partner and my stuffed animals (with a dog joining us when the time is right!)

I respectfully acknowledges that I live, work and play on the traditional territories of many nations including the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Algonquin, and Anishinaabe. As a settler here, I am grateful for all the generations of people who have been stewards of this land and am thankful to be able to work at connecting people with this beautiful, wild world.

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