About Our Founders

Joanna Mueggenburg - Founder of KIN 

The visionary/founder of Kids in Nature Society and KIN Outdoor Learning Centre, dedicated to connecting children with nature while fostering a sense of community care. With a rich background from working with Green Peace to her experience in childhood behaviour intervention, Joanna has worked extensively with children and adults, tailoring inclusive outdoor experiences that nurture growth and learning. Her deep respect for the land and commitment to honouring traditional knowledge shape the foundation of her work. Passionate about creating meaningful nature-based opportunities, Joanna's goal is to inspire a new generation to embrace, respect, care for the natural world, and to blaze the trail so more licensed forest schools can exist. 

KIN programs create an environment where children thrive through balanced freedom and structure, developing responsibility for themselves, each other, the earth, and our learning community. Every day brings new projects and discoveries as we continue growing and evolving together.

Cultivating Nature's Next Generation of Leaders
Joanna's impact extends far beyond the children directly served by KIN Outdoor Learning Centre. Her greatest testament lies in the ripple effect of her organization, having nurtured a new generation of environmental educators who are now leaders in their own right. These remarkable women, who once worked alongside Joanna at KIN, individuals who couldn't distinguish a Cedar tree from any other species when they first joined, have since blossomed into nature program founders themselves.

These former team members have started their own outdoor programs, spreading opportunities for kids to get outside and explore. Their growth from first-time participants to confident program leaders shows what KIN Outdoor Learning Centre does best: sparking a love for nature that people want to share with others..

Joanna hasn't just built the original South Surrey forest school, she's cultivated an entire ecosystem of nature-based learning that continues to grow and flourish. Joanna and Farmer Shari from Gabriel Farms - Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch, were presidents of the PAC of East Kensington Elementary and inspired the creation of the EKology Program. This was the first outdoor education program led by Surrey School district 36.

Lara Solbrekken & Jennifer Pollard - Co-Founders

Lara Solbrekken and Jennifer Pollard form the original leadership team and are the heart and soul of KIN's forest, bringing together 20 years combined expertise that creates rich, multifaceted outdoor learning experiences.

Lara has been with K.I.N. Outdoor Learning since the very beginning, sharing a foundational connection with our program that dates back to her elementary school days at East Kensington Elementary alongside our founder. This deep-rooted relationship reflects her profound local connection to the land she was raised on, bringing an authenticity and sense of place that enriches every learning experience.
With her wealth of agricultural knowledge and intimate understanding of the local landscape, Lara provides invaluable stewardship to our Home Learners group through her inclusive and nurturing approach. Her guidance supports children as they explore, build, and engage in meaningful forest school lessons that connect them to their natural environment. Beyond her agricultural expertise, Lara draws from her extensive background in fishing, camping, and hiking to offer diverse outdoor experiences that showcase the full spectrum of wilderness skills and environmental appreciation. Her passion for these traditional outdoor pursuits, combined with her generational knowledge of the land, creates authentic learning opportunities where children develop both practical skills and a deep respect for their natural heritage.

Jennifer Pollard brings exceptional depth to our program through her Bachelor of Education and degree in Biology, complemented by years of dedicated practice as one of our original team members since her collaboration with Miss Jo began in 2016. Her environmental education background and inspiration from her amazing father, has shaped her into a masterful practitioner who expertly navigates the intricate balance between adventurous risky play and comprehensive safety protocols.

Jennifer's unique fusion of biological expertise and child development knowledge enables her to recognize and cultivate profound learning moments within natural settings, whether children are discovering ecosystem relationships, observing wildlife behavior, or exploring the complex patterns that emerge in forest environments. Her approach transforms outdoor spaces into dynamic classrooms where young learners develop genuine confidence, environmental consciousness, and practical wilderness skills through meaningful exploration.

Together, Lara and Jennifer form a powerful partnership that combines Lara's generational agricultural wisdom and land-based knowledge with Jennifer's scientific training and educational expertise. This collaborative leadership creates an enriching environment where children naturally evolve into keen observers and thoughtful environmental stewards, developing both the skills and deep-seated appreciation necessary to become lifelong guardians of the natural world.