"the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -john lubbock
Meet Our Team
The Salish Sea School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connectedness. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that one can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
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We are stronger together with the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent which ultimately brings about a healthier planet.
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Click on the pictures below to learn more.
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Blue Mind Wellness Retreats offer transformative experiences that promote physical health, nurture mental and emotional well-being, and inspire lifelong conservationists. Through ongoing community adventures, participants connect with others who share their passion for nature and a commitment to shared values.
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Whether finding calm by the water, serenity in the forest, or freedom in the wilderness, these retreats help reduce stress, boost creativity, and foster peace. Mindful practices are seamlessly integrated, empowering participants to carry these benefits into their daily lives.
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The retreats invite individuals to slow down, step away from the chaos of modern life, and discover clarity, joy, and healing in the embrace of nature and the support of a like-minded community.
As a vital part of our mission, adult retreat tuition supports our student programs that empower the next generation of marine scientists and conservationists. By embarking on this journey with us, you not only deepen your connection to the Salish Sea but also help foster a more sustainable future for this precious ecosystem.​ Join us in protecting and restoring the Salish Sea—one mindful, experiential lesson at a time.
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Women's Rewilding Retreat
“She is a force of nature at her core, all the wildness of the universe.” JMG
The San Juan Islands Women’s Rewilding Retreat is designed for women to celebrate and renew an embodied connection to the natural world with restorative practice and time for nature immersion in solitude and community.
Come alone or bring a friend to experience the wonders of the San Juan Islands with other women who share like values. Rewilding will include a two-night three-day adventure based at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory facility with a private taxi to a local island.
From the cabins you can view the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains, Vancouver Island, and the San Juan Islands. The cabins have a full kitchen, private bath, bedroom, and a porch for taking in the spectacular views.
This rewilding nature immersion will include the option to do art or journal on picnic table at the beach or hike the gorgeous trails with a guide or on your own.
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Women's Blue Mind Rewilding Day Retreat
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Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of a local Island and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Experience the transformative power of mindfulness as you connect with the ancient forests, pristine shorelines, and abundant wildlife that inhabit this undisturbed sanctuary.​​​​​ This Renewal & Rewilding Day Retreat offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the transformative power of mindfulness in nature. Join us on this unforgettable journey to reconnect with your inner wisdom and find balance amidst the beauty of the Salish Sea.
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This retreat will be held on an uninhabited island surrounded by the wonder of the Salish Sea with transportation to and from the island included in the cost.
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Guides:
Cathy Norman - Cathy is passionate about the restorative and research based benefits available through mindfulness in nature including a focus on embodied awareness and kinship with the natural world. She has been guiding contemplative retreats and events for women, students and families for over 25 years. She completed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training, is a RYT (200) Integral Yoga instructor, and has had training as a Naturalist and with the Animas Institute (Nature and the Human Soul).
Hannah Martin - Hannah Martin is a naturalist and mental health therapist specializing in Somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS). Based in Ballard, Seattle, she finds joy in swimming in the Salish Sea, writing and reading in tea shops, and laughing at her French Bulldog, Karl.
Hannah is deeply passionate about the healing power of nature, particularly the restorative gifts of water. Her work focuses on the interplay between mental health, creativity, and the natural world, emphasizing how nature can enhance emotional well-being and creative expression.