Mission & Vision
The mission of Explore Outdoors is to inspire curiosity and joy while building scientific understanding of the natural world through personal experiences and investigations of nature. We seek to accomplish this by providing engaging outdoor classes, hikes, and tours in parks throughout the greater Cleveland area, tailored to meet the needs and interests of children, families, schools, and groups.
Our vision is to help create a world in which all people have a personal connection to nature and an understanding of scientific reason, where humans find contentment, wonder, and solace in being outdoors, and see themselves as caretakers and advocates of the Earth.
Founder & Lead Naturalist
Kate Maher, M.Ed. is a naturalist and science educator whose passion is working with children and families outdoors. She founded Explore Outdoors in Seattle in 2015 and is excited to bring her services to Northern Ohio in 2023.
Kate spent her early years exploring the forests, ponds, and grasslands of her native Kansas, and she believes in the importance of helping all people connect to the natural world. Since 2005, Kate has taught adults, families, and children of all ages in local and national parks, museums, nature centers, outdoor schools, summer camps, science classrooms, and after school science programs.
Her experience ranges from leading hikes through the giant redwoods as a park ranger for Muir Woods National Monument, to handling enormous live snakes at the California Academy of Sciences, to leading canoe tours through Pacific Northwest waterways, and helping students from the city connect with a quiet rainforest after dark.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Education in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington with a certificate in Outdoor and Environmental Education from IslandWood. Her special interests include fungi, human evolution, and reptiles.
Testimonials
“Thank you for being a delightful part of my kiddos early childhood experiences!! Both boys continue to be engaged and interested in the natural world, and I thank you for helping with that!“ - Alyson
“Thank you SO MUCH for all of the truly wonderful classes, my kids have such a love for nature and I know our time with you played a big role in fostering that love.” - Nancy
“We've learned SO much and had lots of fun with you as our teacher. Sofia is a total animal nut (never a day when she doesn't pretend to be at least 3 different species) and your games and enthusiasm at class was so great to keep her imagination spinning.” - Felicia
