About
Wild Rose Education
At Wild Rose Education we teach people 'how to see', to become better observers, and how to take action in the world through our participant-centered learning experiences. We go beyond what has been and facilitate becoming what can be with environmental education program design, climate change empowerment, and experiential education trainings and workshops.
Our work is done collaboratively with larger institutions as well as independently through our own projects. Programming occurs in-person as well as virtually. Regional projects are common, yet national collaborations have become a staple product of Wild Rose Education.
​
Wild Rose Education is a lean and nimble, effective, small business practice, woman-owned, Colorado Public Benefit Corporation established in 2015.
Wild Rose Education Successes
-
Years of excellence expanding nationally and beyond reaching students around the globe since 2015
-
Launched first Colorado Youth Climate Summit in rural western Colorado, May 2025
-
2020 Innovative Environmental Education Program Award for Youth Water Leadership Program from Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
-
Each year reaches hundreds of learners through variety of programs and workshops.
-
Established strong relationships with numerous partners, funders, collaborators, and participants.
Our Team
Sarah R. Johnson is a dedicated environmental educator and program developer with a deep-rooted passion for connecting people with the natural world. Her extensive experience spans nearly two decades, beginning with wilderness expeditions and national park interpretation, and evolving into a focus on watershed education in Western Colorado. She holds an M.A. Ed in Natural Science and Environmental Education from Hamline University, building on her B.S. in Biology and minor in Geology from Missouri State University.
​
Currently, Sarah specializes in designing and facilitating impactful educator professional development workshops, trainings, and college and university courses. Her commitment to climate justice education was solidified by her experience as an observer delegate at UNFCCC COP 26. She is also a leader in Arctic STEM program development and coordination, drawing on her unique experiences in the Arctic Ocean with PolarTREC. Sarah teaches environmental science as adjunct faculty at Western Colorado University, Colorado Mountain College, and Hamline University, and is recognized on the Fulbright Specialist Roster until April 2026. Her notable contributions include creating the Colorado Youth Climate Summit, the award-winning Youth Water Leadership Program, and Project Learning Tree Canada's Climate Change and Forests curriculum.
​
Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah actively contributes to global youth development. She volunteers with the World Association for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and leads the Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Team, fostering international connections through initiatives like recent trips to World Centers in Ghana and Mexico. She also completed the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation in 2023. Sarah has been a resident of Western Colorado since 2004, where she champions river and public land protection through education, and enjoys all types of outdoor recreation, gardening, and playing music.
Sarah R Johnson, MAEd
Associates
Mathieu F Brown, MS
Beginning in 2024, Mathieu Brown joined Wild Rose Education contributing his 30+ years of expertise and experience connecting people with landscape, people with people, and people with ideas. His expertise are in curriculum design, educator training, and program development. He approaches each project as its own unique entity applying principles of responsiveness, adaptability and flexibility. Pedagogically, his teaching philosophy embodies a balance of content, application and reflexivity. He has worked as an outdoor guide, naturalist, educator, facilitator, recreation manager, and liberal arts professor; and holds degrees in Business Economics, Southwest Studies and a Masters in Recreation and River Management all from Northern Arizona University.
Virginia R Miller
Virginia joined Wild Rose Education in 2024, coming with 20 years of experience in outdoor education and youth leadership development. Virginia works with educators, families, youth, and everyone in between to develop lifelong learners and stewards of our world. Most of her career has been in Yellowstone National Park as a Park Ranger, Naturalist Guide, and Guide Trainer. She is a skilled facilitator of leadership development for young adults in both virtual and in-person international venues; especially through Girl Scouts. Virginia is also a Certified Interpretive Guide, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and a Wilderness First Responder. After the initial shock of her first -30° Yellowstone winters, this California gal now thrives in the winter and lives for summer hikes and paddle trips. She uses her degree in theater to make science and the outdoors come alive for students of all ages!
