Staff at the Wilderness Institute for Lifelong Development or WILD acknowledge that we conduct programs on the San Juan Ridge and other locales within the Yuba River watershed. These lands are the ancestral homelands of the Nisenan, and include intertribal regions of the Mountain Maidu, Konkow, and Washoe peoples, who have lived here for millennia, and live here still. While we work to create relationships based on reciprocity, respect, and care, we clearly acknowledge the history of devastation and genocide. May this acknowledgement act as constant reminder that we are operating on unceded lands, and may it motivate us to weave into every program a sense of humility, and a commitment to balance the wrongs of the past.

In the spirit of this commitment, we invite our community to support the Ancestral Homelands Reciprocity Program through CHIRP (California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project), a local 501(c)(3) dedicated to Nisenan culture and Tribal rights.

Land Acknowledgment

Our Legacy

Debra and Tom founded and direct Synergia Learning Ventures, located on the San Juan Ridge. Their pioneering work in outdoor experiential education spans 40 years, and is focused on guiding youth to discover different ways to learn, and to see themselves as essential to the “whole.” They designed and built the Synergia Challenge Ropes Course, a unique learning environment that they adapted and developed over decades to bring about new levels of self-knowledge, group unity, and social connection. Debra and Tom are excited to serve WILD in an advisory capacity, and to host WILD. programs at the Synergia campus and ropes course.

Our Leadership Team

Additionally, WILD is governed by a Board of Directors (see below), and is staffed by a small group of dedicated individuals. All staff, volunteers, and board members are committed to youth and their families, and to bringing a much needed approach to education that will support all people to develop life to their fullest capacities as human beings.

Alex Nopola

After being a Lead Challenge Course Facilitator and Lead Field Guide with Synergia Learning Ventures for 20 years the call to continue this work is strong. I am certified Wilderness First Responder through Nols Wilderness Medicine and have trained with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) as a rock climbing instructor.

I am a father of two beautiful, rambunctious boys and spends much of my time outside of work showing them the wonders of the outdoors. In the winter I work as a ski instructor in the Sierra Mountains. I have also spent an extensive amount of time summiting peaks up and down the Sierra Mountain and Cascade Ranges for the pure pleasure of skiing down them and of course for the view. My wide-spread knowledge of the mountains pair well with my love for sharing the marvels of the rugged wilderness with kids and adults alike.

Executive Director, Lead Guide and Facilitator

Melanya Gonshorowski

I love staying busy and working with people of all kinds. When someone asks me if I’m a cat or a dog person I often reply, “i’m a people person.” Before navigating the world of program director, I enjoyed a year as one of the directors for Synergia Nature School. Additionally, I have over 10 years experience working with children — from my time as a counselor at Camp Augusta, and working at Synergia back in 2005, to my most recent work as a farm educator with Sierra Harvest. I am also a mother raising two wonderful boys with Alex. Previously I worked as a midwife in Grass Valley and surrounding regions for almost 10 years and loved connecting with families and sharing knowledge that empowered new or seasoned parents. Risk management has always been a top priority for me across professions. I look forward to connecting with you and teaching your children. I love many arts and crafts including needle felting, collaging and knitting. And if you are curious about my culinary creations ask me about hoshigaki persimmons or fire cider powder.

Program Director and Facilitator

Jen Homan

I come from a family of teachers and have worked in education in some form since I took my first tutoring job at the age of eleven! My connection to the outdoors began as a child growing up in the tropics, where I swam, sailed, and snorkeled daily from a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

As a credentialed teacher and an outdoor educator for almost thirty years, I have worked as a classroom English and history teacher in several public schools in California and Washington. I’ve served as a trip leader and backpacking guide for youth with Lifeschool/Go Adventure, managed and directed semester study-abroad trips for Eastern Michigan University, and worked as a head naturalist at Woodleaf Outdoor School. Most recently, I was the founder and co-lead teacher of the Global Studies Academy at Forest Charter School in Nevada City, CA.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, running, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, backpacking, reading, writing, and yoga. Most of all, I love spending time with my friends, family, and my two growing boys.

Lead Guide and Facilitator

Josh Miller

I grew up exploring the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific North West , falling in love with the outdoors in my own backyard. I started my career as a teenager at a boy scout camp teaching climbing and wilderness survival. Since then, I’ve worked as a trip leader at Naturalists at Large, backpacking guide Lifeschool/Go Adventure, and naturalist at Woodleaf Outdoor School (now Shady Creek). For 17 years, my wife, Jen, and I ran the Global Studies Academy at Forest Charter School in Nevada City.

I am also a professional photographer with work published worldwide, currently leading photo workshops throughout North, Central, and South America. When I’m not teaching or behind the lens, I enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, mountain biking, listening to jazz, playing guitar, and planning adventures. My favorite role, however, is teaching my sons about the world around them. Now that we are back in Nevada City, I am excited to join the amazing program at WILD.

Lead Guide and Facilitator

Mandala Kowal aka Mondy

As an outdoor educator with 16 years of experience, I am guided by a deep sense of wonder and curiosity. Exploring the river canyon behind my childhood home, I found a sense of peace and belonging in wild places—a feeling I have since enjoyed sharing with countless people. To me, the best experience is being in the wilderness and watching everyone become calm, finding that "special shine" that comes from being immersed in the natural world.

At age 18, I began working with adolescent girls, facilitating coming-of-age rites and celebrations. That curriculum included life-skill discussions, choreographed dances, and guided hikes. I later taught in grade school as an art and garden teacher. After starting my own family, I spent over nine years leading expeditions with Synergia Learning Ventures. Most recently, I served as an Outdoor Program Supervisor at a group home, facilitating programs in camping, biking, climbing, woodshop, ceramics, and gardening.

I am passionate about bringing people into the wild and believe these experiences offer meaningful opportunities to build relationships within ourselves, each other, and the environment. I love sharing my care for the natural world and my understanding of local flora and fauna. My hope is that through this, we will build deep connections to each other and place, fostering curiosity and having fun.

In my free time, I enjoy rafting, hiking, backpacking, gardening, swimming, and yoga. I also love spending time with my family and my animals, and practicing primitive ceramics.

Lead Guide and Facilitator

Raya Searls

Program Director and Facilitator

I am Raya, born and raised in Nevada County’s serene rivers, lakes, and countless pines. I recently graduated from Prescott College with a B.A. in Adventure Education highlighting outdoor education, experimental education, and expeditionary learning.

I value supporting all ages in the outdoors, facilitating challenging experiences, and broadening their horizons. I am Wilderness EMT certified and fully enjoyed my time working with Synergia.

Carin Sorani

I have always loved being outdoors. I have spent 25 years working on challenge courses with children and adults on my days off.

I spent 16 summers volunteering at Camp Okizu, a camp for children with cancer, their siblings & families. While there I helped run activities & support children in daily activities & had my first experience on a ropes course.

Since then I have worked for On Course, Inc., Synergia Learning Ventures and has filled in at Peak Adventures at Sacramento State and Mother Load River Center.

When I am not at work behind the cash register at Briar Patch Co-op or teambuilding, I enjoys going out on walks, alone or with my husband & goats, snowboarding in the winter & taking on my newest challenge of pottery making.