Check Out Dina Baker’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dina Baker. 

Hi Dina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2009 with my BFA degree in Studio Art, BA in Spanish, and minor in Art History. All the while I was working at a nature center in Glenview, IL called The Grove. I had been visiting The Grove since I was around 3 years old, fell in love with nature, and after high school began working there as an environmental educator. I spent years trying to figure out whether or not I should be pursuing art as a career or environmental education and bounced back and forth a lot in my jobs. 

Since moving to Colorado in 2012, I have mostly worked in the field of Environmental Education for organizations like the Denver Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Botanic Gardens and Evergreen Audubon. The more experience I obtained and more freedom I was given in my position(s), the more I ended up integrating art into the programs that I developed. During my studies for my Master’s degree in Teaching Biological Science, I had a teacher who answered my lingered question of “what direction I should go in?” by saying, “why don’t you just do both art and environmental education?” This was such a simple and almost obvious suggestion that I (embarrassingly) had never even considered previously. 

I most recently enjoyed a few years as the Nature Center Director at Evergreen Audubon and creating programs that included both nature education and art. When I made my decision to leave that position, I wasn’t sure what I would do after leaving what I had considered my dream job. I felt like the only thing better would be to go off and do my own thing where I could combine all my passions into one place. This is how and when I created The Nature Link LLC. 

I opened our doors at The Nature Link in June of 2021. It is an educational center that blends art and nature education. We offer nature-based programs to kids and adults of all ages and abilities from nature camps, bird walks, native plant walks, to herbalism classes, nature journaling, and more. These programs take place outdoors, usually in some open space. Our art studios host a variety of classes from ceramics, pottery, painting, watercolors, and nature art for all ages. We also have a small, nature-themed gallery full of artists who also love and are inspired by nature. My goal for The Nature Link is to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all children and adults to share their passion for nature and creativity in art either inside of our studios or outdoors in the natural world. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is still pretty early to tell how smooth the road is since we just opened a few months ago. To be honest, this idea came into fruition very quickly and I had to kick things into high gear after deciding to leave my last position. Every day seems to throw a new surprise or speedbump. However, each day also seems to present new opportunities and new connections with amazing, like-minded people. I can see our little community is already growing. We offer Open Studio memberships at The Nature Link for those who are interested in making pottery or ceramics on their own, or outside of class offerings. We already have such a fun little group of people who enjoy playing with clay, laughing, and learning together. 

The biggest struggle, besides the obvious gushing of money, when you open a new storefront, is getting people to know you exist. I have been marketing as much as possible and in as many ways as I can think of, but it is always a work in progress. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Besides being a new business owner, my background and passion is really as an educator. I enjoy teaching art and ceramics; however, I am most passionate about connecting people to nature. Art is a really great way to that, and this is how nature seems to sneak its way into everything I do, both personally and professionally. Having worked in conservation-based organizations like Denver Zoo and Evergreen Audubon, the environment is very important to me. I always hope to foster environmental stewardship with the kids and adult that I teach, but it is most important to me that they simply connect with nature. 

I am VERY enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and love of the natural world with people, especially kids. Spotting certain plants, birds, bugs or animals definitely make me squeal and my enthusiasm is usually contagious, if not entertaining. I like to create invitations for my “students” to learn. My programs are individualized so that kids and adults can pursue what they are most interested in learning about vs. just listening to what I think they should learn. Student-directed learning is the most exciting for me because I get to watch nature create that spark of curiosity and see where it goes for each child or adult. My teaching style has migrated from a planned and lesson-based approach to a series of teachable moments, explorations and discoveries. I am most proud of this change in myself as an educator and my ability to use it to connect people of all ages to nature. 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I spent about 5 years working at Denver Zoo alongside of some of the most amazing and inspiring educators, zookeepers, and conservationist. My entire outreach team became some of my best friends, we were almost family. Each of these people gave everything of themselves to support our team, our mission, and to connect students to the natural world. I am so proud to know each of them and they continue to inspire much of what I do and how I teach, even though most of us have moved on from working at the zoo. James Garcia, an Outreach Specialist (educator) at Denver Zoo, has been working there for well over 20 years and only gets more passionate and inspiring as time goes on. I had the pleasure of being his teammate for a few years and we still keep in touch both personally and professionally. There is no one that inspires me to push harder, think more innovatively, be more creative, and have more patience when it comes to the challenges of this field more than him. His ability to reach an audience or group of students with his knowledge, passion, and sense of humor is unparalleled. 

Another ongoing inspiration is Kimberly Rose, a great friend of mine and amazing naturalist. She is an incredible herbalist, naturalist, educator, and therapist. She is my favorite person to learn with, learn from, and work alongside. We share such a connection to nature together and make a great complementary team. We look for any excuse to join forces! Any time I spent with her, I always end up jazzed to get outside, make new discoveries, share with others, and develop new programs. 

As far as the success of my business, my husband has been the biggest support. He is in a very different field than I am, and doesn’t often understand why I am so crazy about art, nature, and teaching, but he has never questioned it. He has helped me and been an amazing partner in every way possible. From financials, accounting, to being a sounding board, being my handyman, or just a shoulder, all of this is possible only because of him. I have taken some huge risks in going off and pursuing the dream of The Nature Link with some often-scary consequences, but he has always had my back. 

Pricing:

• Open Studio – $150/month
• Nature & art classes vary depending on the program

Contact Info:

• Email: dina@thenaturelink.com
• Website: www.thenaturelink.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenaturelinkllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenaturelinkllc