Meet Our Analog Forestry Students and Interns from the U.S.A. and across the globe
The Chesapeake Education Arts Research Society (CHEARS) and the International Analog Forestry Network (IAFN) have joined forces to present the 2025 Intergenerational Temperate Mid-Atlantic Analog Forestry Internship program. This partnership, supported by the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance (UCFA) and School of Living, Heathcote Education Center, combines CHEARS’ commitment to Chesapeake watershed health with IAFN’s global expertise in biodiversity conservation through analog forestry. Together, they offer participants a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge ecological restoration practices while building intergenerational knowledge exchange in sustainable forestry systems across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Get to know our new Analog Forestry students and interns – spreading knowledge and restoring forests across continents, one community at a time.
Jeritta, 46, Maryland, USA
AF for honoring agricultural heritage through sustainable farming
“I would like to be a farmer. My family has been steeped in agriculture. I want to work with local organizations building on farming knowledge in hopes of one day being able to own and operate my farm. I would like to do it in a responsible way using sustainable, organic, and in accordance with how natural ecosystems work.”
Aaron, 48, Maryland, USA
AF for bringing fresh food to underserved communities
“I want to help bring fresh and affordable food to southern Prince George’s County. This part of the county doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the northern part has and I’d like to play a role in changing that. And most importantly, I want to learn how to help improve the quality of life on this planet so I can say I worked to leave it better than I found it.”
Magik, 39, Maryland, USA
AF following a spiritual calling to heal the land
“I’m drawn to the Analog Forestry internship because of a deep, spiritual calling that guided me to this path before I even knew what it was. This approach to healing the land and restoring ecosystems aligns with my life’s mission, which is continually unfolding. I believe Analog Forestry has the power to transform our relationship with the earth and each other.”
Ruby, 65, Maryland, USA
AF for creating a livable world for grandchildren
“I’m a retired teacher with children and grandchildren. I want them (and all other living beings) to have a livable world in the future. There are so many avenues that lead toward this goal, and the one I am called to is in growing: food, forests, native plant gardens and habitats.”
Prince, 37, Sri Lanka
AF as nature-based solution for community resilience
“A leading environmentalist and conservationist in Sri Lanka, I have contributed to diverse biodiversity projects and scientific publications at both national and international levels. Recognizing the importance of tangible benefits for local communities, I champion practical, people-centered approaches particularly Analog Forestry as a nature-based solution that enhances biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods and community resilience.”
Mandy, 65, Mallorca, Spain
AF for Mediterranean climate change mitigation
“I would like to help bring Analog Forestry into the regenerative agroforestry and permaculture movements in Europe through AF design, practice sites, research, education, and outreach. We are implementing AF practices and would like to develop an AF education/research site looking at biodiversity, resilience, and climate change mitigation in the Mediterranean.”
Adeline, 27, Pennsylvania, USA
AF for transforming volunteer education into holistic agroecology
“As a volunteer coordinator for a regenerative farm, I am always thinking about more ways I can turn volunteer and outreach events into holistic experiences that educate participants in agroecology and permaculture. I hope to bring my analog forestry knowledge to my farm to see how we can utilize analog forestry techniques in our agricultural practices and volunteer events.”
Kimbowa, 55, Uganda
AF for inspiring urban forest adoption
“As a forester, I am taking a deep dive into the AF concept to develop further my urban home garden, inspired by my exposure to AF initiatives in Uganda. I believe this experience will assist me in gradually setting up an urban home garden to inspire more to adopt urban Analog Forestry in Uganda, which has a fast-growing urban population.”
Gabriela, 41, Costa Rica
AF for revitalizing vernacular gardens and native bee habitats
“We developed an initiative called ‘Native plants for the revitalization of Costa Rican vernacular gardens’ through training activities called ‘Encounters from the garden’ where we promote the revitalization of cultural practices associated with the gardens with an agroforestry approach to promote ecological connectivity within the Biological Corridors, as well as to reinforce the habitat of native bees and other pollinators.”
Erick, 38, Guatemala
AF for empowering indigenous communities against monoculture
“I would love to share the AF methodology and philosophy with the network that I am part of, called REISA, and also spread AF with the communities we worked with REISA. We have noticed the tendency to work with monocrops more and more, that’s why we would like to share the word of AF to support farmers to realize how much potential their land has to save water, improve the soil, diversify their crops and benefit from the diversity of a model that is imitating the forest. I see AF as a powerful tool for the communities.”
Fatimah, 72, Maryland, USA
AF for sharing ancestral knowledge with Muslim community and grandchildren
“My goals are to discover how I can pass the knowledge on to others, including my family, grandchildren, my circle of friends, and my community, including UCFA members, my neighbors, and my Muslim community. In many ways, being in and around forest land can enhance our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.”
Mariah, 34, Maryland, USA
AF for uplifting Black, Brown, and Indigenous farming communities
“I am an aspiring farmer with UJAMAA Cooperative Farming Alliance. My love for the environment comes from my father, a backyard food forest hobby farmer. I have been working on agriculture and clean water policy issues for 10 years. My work has centered on uplifting Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across the region. My goal for this program are to learn healthy soil techniques from individuals who are experienced with growing a variety of food and organizations dedicated to increase access to healthy and affordable food.”
Building bonds of solidarity – interns from the US and across the globe thanks to local mentorships with IAFN Analog Forestry accredited trainers
Kenneth, 54, Kenya
AF for climate change mitigation in rural communities
“I am on a mission to bring analog forestry to my hometown of Sondu, Kenya. A longtime farmer, I grew up in a rural area and have been growing food since I am a child. On my two acres of land I grow veggies, fruits, wholegrains, nuts, legumes and indigenous trees. I want to help the community contribute positively to climate change mitigation. My goals is to protect the soil erosion, environment and soil health structure. I have been practicing afforestation in the past 2 years and grown over 70 different types of trees.”
Gayanthi, 46, Sri Lanka
AF for empowering farmers and biodiversity
“Motivated by a deep concern for environmental degradation, I transitioned from mathematics to forestry to better contribute to the conservation and enrichment of natural ecosystems. I am passionate about promoting Analog Forestry as a transformative approach to increasing forest cover and improving biodiversity through community-based efforts. I strongly believe this practice can empower farmers and help create a greener, more sustainable future.”
Augustine, 36, Nigeria
AF for public health and sustainable future advocacy
“I want to help contribute positively to the climatic change mitigation, my goals is to help protect the environment, improve public health and ensure sustainable future. I have been a farmer for the past five years and I have been practicing afforestation and will like to become an Analog Forestry advocate here in Nigeria.”
Meet the trainers and mentors of our international interns
Nimesh, Sri Lanka
AF mentor
“I had the opportunity to mentor professionals in Sri Lanka who are currently working in organizations like IUCN and government development offices. Through this mentorship, I was able to support and strengthen their understanding of Analog Forestry. I truly believe that they will apply this knowledge meaningfully in their work and contribute to ecosystem restoration and sustainable land use across Sri Lanka.”
Perry K. Ndzefemmegho, Cameroon
Accredited AF trainer
As an AF trainer, I’m particular proud first of all to be chosen to accompany Kenneth, Augustine and Richard during this virtual mentoring effort for the African region. Secondly, I’m proud by the way the course has been organized – taking cognizance of previous virtual resources and experiences and combining those with a futuristic interactive model in this current mentorship. The timeframe and interval for zoom sessions is very good given the busy schedules of everyone and this makes for effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of set objectives both from the trainer and students as well.
I particularly like the interactive zoom sessions with introductory presentations, discussions and questions. This helps keeps everyone on the same page as we forge ahead in the course work. After obtaining the expectations from the students in the introductory session, it puts me as a trainer in a position to share my experiences and interact with the students in a manner that will satisfy their expectations… hopefully.
We just rounded up the third session and the work done so far has been satisfactory with the students seemingly understanding the key processes that defines an AF project. A few gaps are still noticed but that’s ok for first timers hoping that in the course of time and during real practice some of these gaps will be covered; as they say the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this short testimony about the AF mentorship process.