With a background in psychology and a master’s degree in child and family development, Starla Wheeler is the founder of Salty Sunflower Nature Collaborative, a network of independent educators who lead outdoor, play-based learning experiences for children and families. Her work is grounded in the belief that nature is not just a setting for learning, but an important support for children’s emotional development and nervous system regulation.

Her approach is informed by both professional training and ongoing research into how nature-based environments influence emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and resilience in early childhood. She is particularly interested in how unstructured outdoor play and relational experiences in nature shape the way children develop emotionally over time.

Through Salty Sunflower, she brings this work into practice by supporting educators in designing and leading their own nature-based classes within a shared philosophy centered on child-led exploration, emotional attunement, and responsive teaching.

Unlike traditional drop-off programs, Salty Sunflower also integrates family participation into many of its offerings, inviting caregivers to join their children in shared outdoor experiences of play, discovery, and connection. This creates a relational learning environment where children, parents, and educators are all engaged in the learning process together.

At its core, Starla’s work bridges research and real-world practice to create learning experiences that support children’s emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and deepen connection to the natural world.