Natalie Bogwalker Wild Abundance

Our Founder, Natalie Bogwalker

Over 10 years, ago, Natalie Bogwalker founded the Firefly Gathering. Drawing on her experience with primitive skills, she sought to create a space for folks to share their knowledge and come together to live with the earth. Natalie has moved on from administering the Gathering, but remains a critical part of our community

Natalie is the founder and former director of the Firefly Gathering. She now focuses her energy on her family and her school, Wild Abundance, where she teaches tiny house building workshopsforaging classesdeer hide tanning, and permaculture design courses, where people can earn their permaculture design certificates

She lives in her lovely, growing homestead nestled deep in community in the Southern Appalachians. She spends her time harvesting in the wild, building, gardening, planting, putting up food, growing, teaching, and scheming about how to introduce more people to Earth-based living, all while worshiping the beauty around her.

She teaches at  the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, the Maps meet, and Earthskills Rendezvous, and has given talks at FSU, Southern Adventist University, Tulane University, Ohio University, Vanderbilt University, Western Washington University, and many other places. Natalie was also featured in Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Freedom in America and appeared in the National Geographic series Live Free or Die. Natalie holds a B.A. in ecological agriculture and, more importantly, has studied with teachers who have deeply enriched her perspective, including Juliet BlankespoorMargaret Mathewson, and Frank Cook.

She and her partner Frank also run an herbal apprenticeship, a natural building apprenticeship, and a permaculture apprenticeship. These days she is especially focused on women’s primitive skillspermaculture courses, and home building workshops.

WRITTEN BY

Firefly Gathering

Share This Post

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Stay Connected

Subscribe to our Newsletter for updates on all things Firefly, such as Perennial Workshops, Book Nook, and Annual Gathering News.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on all things Firefly, including Perennial Workshops, Firefly's Book Nook, and Annual Gathering News.

Lily Harlin

Bookkeeper

Lily is an artist, creator, and dreamer. Since a very young age, she has been immersed in the natural world and draws heavy inspiration from the wild. Though her medium changes frequently, Lily’s art and expression always incorporate an element of the organic and unpredictable. She got her associate in fine arts in 2023, and now volunteers at her school as a ceramic studio monitor. She hopes to open a studio of her own one day to have a place to teach and inspire others. In addition to doing commission work, Lily has been creating many graphics for The Firefly Gathering since 2019. Lily grew up in the Earthskills community from the time she was eight years old, so having the opportunity to grow and give back in so many ways has been incredibly fulfilling. No matter where she ends up, this group of people and ideas will always hold a special place in her heart.