The 8 Shields Institute offers training in mentoring and nature connection.

Specialized training topics include:

• Nature awareness and building deep connection with place
• Programs Design strategies for youth, adults, and community building
• Holistic wildlife tracking & Integral Awareness training
• Permaculture/Regenerative Design
• Coyote & cultural mentoring principles and techniques
• Wilderness skills
• Bird language & Natural History

Programs currently are offered locally in the Bay Area of California, and internationally in cooperation with local program communities based on, or interested in working with, the 8 Shields Cultural Mentoring model for nature connection mentoring.

We now offer trainings for both adullts and children on the coast side between Santa Cruz and Point Reyes Station in collaboration with the Regenerative Design Institute and the Riekes Nature Awareness program. Contact us for more details.

Visit our new Online Village membership site for concepts & tools in mentoring and nature connection.

The 8 Shields.org website represents some basic introductory information for those interested in exploring the Art of Mentoring, 8 Shields Cultural Mentoring, and other mentoring / cultural design projects related to Jon Young's work, and groups affiliated with this work internationally.

The concept of the "8 shields" simply refers to an organizational model to store complex information that assists in the design of mentoring models, communities and also helps in the training of individuals on the nature awareness / nature connection journey. Many people find that using the 8 Shields model is a helpful way to track progress on the learning journey of nature connection.

The 8 Shields Group is a collaborative network of affiliates and partners. We work together, as individuals and organizations, all throughout North America, the Hawaiian Islands and Europe in a global network of culture, nature-connection and living systems regeneration. We have satellites in South Africa, and nodes beginning to take root in New Zealand and Australia. We offer educational opportunities, individual training, products, mentoring and consulting. Read about us.

This site introduces you to our methods of Cultural Mentoring, Nature Connection and Regenerative Living. We are the 8 Shields Group --in a few months we will form the Council for Regenerative Culture, a world-wide council based based on shared philosophy and values.

Please log in to the website for future updates and news from 8 Shields.