ABOUT

Our Founder

Michelle Byron is excited to make nature a regular part of your life!

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Growing up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania, children were expected to play outside unsupervised every day. Michelle’s backyard was key to so much in her life. It’s where she first explored nature, began studying plants and animals, learned to cooperatively play with neighbors, and escaped into nature’s solace.

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Moving to New York City was a shock; many people ignore nature in the city. Michelle created Our Backyard to help urban folks see, feel, and connect to nature and all its benefits.

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Michelle has a master's degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation from the University of Wisconsin. Her thesis was “Adapting the European Model of Forest Kindergarten to Urban Areas.” Michelle has written and co-written several e-book chapters about urban environmental education for Cornell University's Civic Ecology Lab. Nature-based preschools, inclusive education, and gardening are lifelong interests for which she pursues professional development classes. 

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Michelle designed and led indoor and outdoor education programs in state parks and national sites, public and private schools (preschool through 12th grade), summer camps, and a YM-YWHA. Plus she operated a forest and garden preschool co-op in a Manhattan community garden and Central Park. 

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Michelle is a member of North American Association for Environmental Education and Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools.  

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She would love to share the wonders of city parks with you!