Gary Sharlow is an experienced educator and mindfulness teacher with a deep commitment to fostering meaningful connections between people and the natural world. With over two decades of experience in environmental education and mindfulness, Gary specializes in guiding individuals toward a greater sense of presence and well-being through nature-based mindfulness practices. Gary’s work integrates a profound understanding of the natural world with mindfulness training, enabling him to create unique experiences that nurture awareness and connection. His background includes comprehensive training in mindfulness teaching and facilitation, with a particular focus on incorporating the natural environment as a supportive space for meditation and reflection.

During his tenure at the California Academy of Science in San Francisco, Gary developed impactful programs that bridged environmental education and community engagement including an annual international nature photography competition that is recognized as one of the most prestigious competitions of any genre anywhere in the world. This project also seeded a popular online magazine that features the work of these photographers and their subjects, while also raising awareness of the research conducted by the Academy’s robust research division. These included innovative citizen science initiatives and educational programs designed to inspire curiosity and conservation action. He also managed public programs that celebrated the intersection of science and the arts, fostering a deeper appreciation of biodiversity and ecological systems. One such project led the Academy to purchase iNaturalist, a very popular photography-based citizen science app that provides research-quality data to scientists and governments around the world.

Gary’s career also includes work with the National Park Service at Point Reyes National Seashore, where he conducted ecological studies on Tule elk herds, contributing to wildlife conservation efforts and expanding his knowledge of ecosystem dynamics.

Now based in northern New Mexico, Gary continues to teach mindfulness and environmental education, drawing on his rich professional background to inspire others to find peace, clarity, and connection in nature. His offerings include workshops, classes, and retreats designed to support individuals in cultivating mindfulness and well-being through their relationship with the natural world. In addition to leading programs through Nature Meditations, Gary directs programs for Awake in the Wild, where he is also part of a teaching sangha (community) dedicated to teaching people about nature-based mindfulness practices.