Who we are

Living Wisdom Project is a WA State Nonprofit Corporation and is in process of applying for 501(c)(3) status.

Purpose: Living Wisdom Project exists to inspire personal growth, self-discovery, and transformation by guiding individuals to connect with the teachings of the natural world.

Mission: Living Wisdom Project provides programs, retreats, and community gatherings that guide individuals in exploring nature-based teachings. Through experiential learning and immersive explorations, we empower growth beyond cultural and ideological boundaries.

Values:

  1. Connection with Nature - We honor the natural order as a source of wisdom, guidance, and transformation.

  2. Inclusivity & Open-Mindedness - We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and spiritual paths.

  3. Evolving the Self - We embrace growth as a dynamic, lifelong process of inner exploration.

  4. Community & Shared Wisdom - We foster connection and learning through collective experiences, storytelling, and exploratory discourse.

  5. Sustainability & Stewardship - We respect and protect the environment using the concept of “wild-tending”, ensuring that our work contributes to the well-being of future generations.

  6. Scholarship - We strive to provide opportunities for individuals in need of support, financial or otherwise.

Strategy: By fostering a deeper connection between humans and the other-than-human-world, we will shift perceptions of personal and spiritual growth from being abstract, inaccessible, or exclusive to being practical, experiential, and universally relevant. Through immersive nature-based experiences, community engagement, and partnerships with compatible organizations, we will increase awareness, accessibility, and participation in our offerings and the inspiration for personal practice. This will cultivate a greater appreciation for nature’s role in self-discovery, promote holistic interconnected well-being, and establish the Living Wisdom Project as a trusted guide for transformative growth.

Goals: As a start-up company we will focus on establishing a brand, reputation, and community recognition. This will be accomplished by forming partnerships with other non-profit companies, community organizations with similar missions, and potential sponsors. We will strive to form ties in the community to form a coalition of potential volunteers and source of support and networking.

A person standing in a dense forest of tall trees with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A forest trail winding through tall trees and lush green foliage, with sunlight filtering through the canopy.
Dense forest with moss-covered trees and lush green ferns.

  • Founder and Executive Director

    Tony Held works to bring programming to the San Juan Islands community to help us just BE in nature. To smile at the simple things. To literally stop and smell the nutka roses.

    Tony began his professional journey as a personal trainer in 2005. This blossomed into a career in Fitness Management and Gym Ownership, Health & Wellness, Massage, and Somatic Bodywork. He has cultivated a great appreciation for habit change, adherence to goals, and holistic wellness along side the ability to hold space for the individual to do the work that needs doing.

    “One of the greatest rewards for me is watching someone realize they did all the work themselves.”.

    With training as a Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, he has woven together his diverse skills to create space for healing in many forms.

    Living Wisdom Project and it’s retreat center, SHIR, is the culmination of Tony’s ongoing journey—rooted in experience, intention, and a deep commitment to fostering community seeking a deep connection with Mother Earth.

Tony Held

Contact us

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