About

Reviving our role as stewards through community building

Welcome to the Art and Wilderness Institute!

​Welcome to the Art and Wilderness Institute! At AWI, we are committed to connecting with nature, raising awareness and promoting values of stewardship through our outdoor, hands-on, “get muddy” learning philosophy. Our students range from the budding two-year-old naturalist to the tenured retiree.

We also believe in giving back. Students plant trees, assist refugees, and lead hikes for the elderly. We adhere to the belief that genuine learning is achieved through acts of stewardship and service. Collaborating with numerous partners, we actively contribute to making a wider positive impact. Join our growing AWI community!

ABOUT AWI’s FOUNDING

Established in 2019, the Art and Wilderness Institute traces its roots back to a period of smaller-scale operations preceding its official founding. Prior to the inception of AWI, students were already engaged in learning under the guidance of Sama Wareh. The catalyst for the institute’s formation occurred during a camping trip, where Khadeeja Abdullah, Sama Wareh, and Syma Aslam Chaudhry found themselves beneath the branches of an Elderberry tree. It was during this conversation that they envisioned a plan to expand community participation in classes and events, giving rise to the creation of AWI.

Driven by a shared desire to create a space where community thrives around the central theme of connecting with nature and giving back, AWI has embarked on a remarkable journey. The success of this venture is attributed to the unwavering support of our community, coupled with the proactive involvement of parents and students who have taken the initiative and assumed leadership roles.

MISSION

To rekindle a love and appreciation for the environment and community through
exploration, creativity, connection and growth.

We would love to hear from you!

    Instructors

    Sarah Hafeez

    COACH/LEAD INSTRUCTOR
    Mugworts Instructor
    Unit Studies Instructor​
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    Wendy Machovsky

    Early Childhood Lead Teacher/Advisor
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    Deborah (Karemah) Alfaddaghi

    Redwood Raven Academy Instructor
    Licensed Montessori Teacher
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    Amina Mustafa

    Khulafa Al-Ard Instructor
    Handworks Instructor
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    Amy Hossain

    Regenerative Living Instructor
    Redwood Raven School Instructor
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    Elizabeth Efird

    Redwood Raven Preschool Instructor
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    Nura Leiyana Suleman

    Aiza Qureshi

    Summer Camp Director

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    Mariam Yusuf, M.S

    KG Instructor/Lead KG Coach
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    Safia Mullick

    Environmental Justice Instructor

    Substitute Teacher

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    Dana Malas

    Permaculture/Soil Science Instructor
    ​Northern California Expansion Coordinator
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    Hind Museitef

    Handworks Instructor
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    Yessenia Chavez

    Art Instructor/ Apothecary Instructor
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    Sarah Congreve

    Naturalist/ Substitute Teacher
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    Chef Shatha Al-Hussieni

    Culinary Arts
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    Adeel Syed

    Woodshop Instructor
    Bushcraft Instructor
    ​Backpacking Instructor
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    Jameel Hussein

    Bushcraft Instructor
    Backpacking Instructor
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    Haaris Syed

    Bushcraft Instructor
    Backpacking Instructor
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    Christopher Nyerges

    Bushcraft Instructor
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    Hafsah Yasin

    W​Ilderness education apprentice
    Northern California

     

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    Saira Sayeed

    Teacher Aid- Redwood Raven
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    Farah Ashraf

    Khulafa Al-Ard Nature Mentor
    Nature Tots
    PTO Chair

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    Emmalee Laxson

    Emerald Owls TA
    and Zoologist

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    Sandy Tolzda

    KG Nature Mentor
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    Joey Plemons

    Unit Studies Teacher (Science)
    Elective Teacher (Regenerative Suburbia)
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    Nudrat Siddiqui

    Khulafah Al-Ard Instructor
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    Maria Ahmed

    Art Instructor- Unit Studies

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    Rachel Taft

    Emerald Owl Preschool Instructor

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    Leiyana (Nura) Suleman

    Subsitute Teacher/Aid

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    MEET OUR LEADERSHIP and ​ADMIN TEAM

    Suhana Shereef

    Green Masjid Initiative Director
    ​& Administrative Assistant
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    Maimoona Rashid

    Administrative Secretary
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    Carla Taylor

    Khulafa Al’Ard Director
    ​Grant Writer
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    Nur Amer

    Marketing Manager
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    Monica Baltazar

    Grant Writer

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    Hannah Shreim

    Unit Studies Site Manager

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    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Hassan Elwan

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    Syma Aslam

    Administrative Director
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    Dr. Khadeeja Abdullah

    Programming Director
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     Sama Wareh, M.S

    Executive Director
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    Rhamis Kent

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    Masood Khan

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    MEET OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL

    Shaykha Muslema Permul

    The Majlis

    Amir Mertaban

    General Manager Footlab OC

    Zahra Kassam

    Sage Steward Farm

    Dr. Amy Cox Peterson

    Dean of Education
    California State University Fullerton

    Amin Rafiq

    Sahaba Initiative

    Shahzia Rahman

    QuadM
    Celebrate Mercy

    Our Partners