Researcher · Program Designer · Technologist
Bridging deep tech, ecological science, and public health. Helping people and institutions reconnect with the living world through evidence-based practice and quiet spaces.
From Technology to Trees
A non-linear journey from building digital operating systems to investigating forest soundscapes and sensory restoration.
The Big Tech Foundations
Spent 8 years at Microsoft as a senior program manager, building technical systems and scaling developer platforms. Later co-founded education technology startups in California and Japan, focusing on open-source hardware, hands-on science learning, and community technology.
The Turn to Restorative Nature
Experiencing chronic screen fatigue and burnout firsthand prompted a pivot toward restorative environmental practices. Completed professional training in both Japan and Canada as a certified Forest and Nature Immersion Guide, and spent 12+ years contributing to Safecast, an open global environmental monitoring network.
Doctoral Fieldwork and Soundscapes
Earned a PhD from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Forestry under Dr. John Innes. Designed and completed a randomized crossover trial in Metro Vancouver regional parks, proving that specific acoustic thresholds and vegetation diversity drive measurable stress recovery across all seasons.
Empirical Evidence, Real-World Systems
The Four Pillars of Connection in Nature
Developed through doctoral fieldwork, this framework identifies the relationships that emerge when people inhabit natural settings. Rather than distinct tasks, these pillars represent the dimensions of relationship that arise through presence:
Self
Inner knowing, nervous system regulation, and personal vitality.
Others
Human relationship, shared presence, and community connection.
More-than-Human World
Forests, waters, wildlife, and living ecosystems.
Meaning and Spirit
Purpose, transcendence, and belonging to something larger.
The Ecosystem
Initiatives translating scientific research into daily tools, public policy, and creative media.
Sit Spot Club
A daily habit of noticing nearby nature. 10-minute audio-guided practices grounded in the Stepwise Sensory Arc for stress reduction and attention restoration. A Facilitator Pack is available for clinicians, therapists, and guides.
Explore Sit Spot Club ↗Silent Trails
Soundscape assessment methodology piloted in collaboration with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. Identifies and designates quiet trail corridors to protect acoustic habitat for wildlife and preserve human restorative health.
Visit silenttrails.ca ↗Super Green Robot
Automation infrastructure for nature-based practitioners, guides, and solo operators. Streamlining client onboarding, scheduling, and operations so leaders spend less time at screens and more time outside.
Explore Super Green Robot ↗Forest Spaces
Translating ecological science and nature connection into audio storytelling and narrative mini-dramas backed by peer-reviewed research.
Visit forestspaces.com ↗Let’s Connect
Whether you are a park agency planning acoustic trail assessments, an organization seeking an executive keynote, or a researcher exploring nature-based health data, schedule an introductory conversation.
Memberships and affiliations
Part of a wider community of practice.
Tara is a member of and connected with organizations that support nature connection, forest therapy, and access to nature-based care.
