Our People
Resilience Land Tending is a collection of gardeners, guides, educators, artists, land stewards, and life-long learners, doing our part to bring health and happiness to the places and people that need a little tending. Rooted in the principles of permaculture, our offerings include Holistic Landscaping design, assessment, and installation, Land Management for fire safety and ecological restoration, and Educational workshops.
Chris Morales
Owner, Principal Designer, Installer & Educator
I am a life long learner, in love with learning about and protecting Life. With academic degrees in Biology and Peace and Justice Studies, my professional and personal pursuits have situated me at an intersection between ecological stewardship and social justice.
Born and raised of humble beginnings in Marin County and of Central American and Eastern European ancestry, I have a developed a deep connection to this Place, and have as a guiding question in my life: “how do I become native to Place?”
I have worn a lot of hats throughout my life, ranging from wilderness guide and mentor to program designer and educator. Throughout all of this, nature connection and nurturing resilience through diversity have been integral components to everything I do. I have a deep connection to Place, and aim to create health and well-being in the land and human tending I do.
My goal now is to help renew and restore native habitat, create beautiful spaces that are in balance with and support the native ecosystem, and educate and empower individuals to establish and deepen their own connection.
I hold certifications in Permaculture Design, Wilderness First Response, Wilderness Fire Fighter Type 2, Wilderness Chainsaw Use, and Somatic Ecopsychology and Wilderness Quest guiding. I am grateful to all my teachers who have carved a path before me (especially my parents and ancestors, those at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Wilderness Reflections, and Audubon Canyon Ranch.
Si, Hablo Español tambien.
Gabriel Yetnikoff
Assistant Tender
Gabriel Yetnikoff grew up in San Rafael and graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Sustainability. Upon graduation, he traveled in Central America for 7 months, volunteering on community-based projects and learning about permaculture. He recently received his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) from Occidental Arts and Ecology Center.
He is most interested in cultivating resilience through land tending, indigenous sovereignty, localized foodways and rehydrating the Earth. He finds joy in buying, growing, foraging and cooking food. One of his ultimate dreams is to transform all lawns into ecological paradises of drought-tolerant, edible and native plants.
He is also a Wilderness Guide, and a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Join Our Community
If you are a land tender, artist, builder, or educator who aligns with our values and would like to join our community and compliment our offerings, please reach out and share. We are always looking to expand our community and reach, and open to opportunities for collaboration and connection.