Who is the Natural Awareness Guide?

I’m Kirsten Welge. I guide people to relax into wonder and curiosity
through wildlife tracking and shinrin yoku sessions.

Why wonder & curiosity in nature?

I grew up with Attention Deficit Disorder, chronic anxiety, and depression. For decades, I thought I could prove my worth through hard work, determination, and prioritizing the needs of the workplace ahead of rest and connection with family. While I experienced success in my career in public health, prioritizing work over family caused profound tension and strain in my personal relationships. It was not sustainable.

In contrast, when I’m practicing wildlife tracking, shinrin yoku, or meditation, the feelings of curiosity and calm naturally arise. My senses settle, my awareness expands, and I notice more of what is present around and within me. Afterwards, this feeling continues: I carry that calm and connection into my interactions with my family and community. This approach is sustainable, and cultivates wholeness in me and within my relationships.

Learning to relax & connect through three lineages

I began training intensively in mind-body principles through Ki-Aikido and meditation in spring of 2013, and was introduced to Wildlife Tracking in October that same year. These three disciplines provided a foundation to develop greater awareness, relax into my body, and deepen sensitivity to myself, others, and nature around and within us.

Through practice, I found that these mind-body principles and observational skills apply directly to interactions with others, regardless of the circumstances. Since 2016, I’ve led numerous classes on ki principles, meditation, and movement with Community Education and in the workplace, as well as wildlife survey teams and tracking sessions in the field. I also train in (and now teach) traditional Ki-Aikido at the Minnesota Ki Society, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

I served professionally in public health and hospital management for over 13 years, applying Lean principles to streamline processes, make care safer for patients, and support clinicians through regulatory surveys and data reporting for population health. 

As a result, I stand at the intersection of public health, mind-body practice, and nature connection. How can I support people in improving the quality of their life with simple, effective, evidence-based changes?

Curious about my programs?
Click here for information

Certifications & Experience

Wildlife Tracking & Nature Connection

  • Minnesota Master Naturalist: Big Woods, Big River Biome (2024-present)
  • ANFT-certified Forest Therapy Guide (July 2021-present)
  • Level III (Minnesota & South Africa), Wildlife Track & Sign Identification (Cybertracker International)
  • Level III (Minnesota)/Level II (South Africa), Wildlife Trailing (Cybertracker International)
  • Seasonal Educator, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (2021-present)
  • Co-instructor, Wildlife Tracking Workshop at Fort Snelling State Park (2018, 2019)
  • Co-instigator & volunteer, Minnesota Wildlife Tracking Project (2016-present)
  • Facilitating survey teams & tracking programs since 2017

Mind-Body Oneness

Public Health

  • Over 13 years of experience in health care administration across hospital and clinic settings, including 5 years as manager
  • NOLS Wilderness First Aid Certification (2021-present)
  • Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), 2012-2020
  • Masters in Public Health (UCLA); B. S. in History (California Institute of Technology)