Explore. Discover. Learn. Grow.

The Outside Institute was founded in 2017 in the Upper Lenape Valley to foster a greater connection to the Earth. By nurturing humanity's powers of observation and innate affinity for the wild, we hope to combat plant blindness and inspire an essential reciprocity between all beings.

Our year-round program includes guided nature walks, sustainable foraging education, wildcrafting workshops and botanical mixology. We are lucky to collaborate with local experts in botany, herbalism, plant dyes, natural cosmetics and more. We have a teaching outpost and small shop at 3344 Route 97 in scenic Barryville, NY.

Food is also an important component of The Outside Institute. Our gatherings typically include a celebration of nature’s bounty through delicious, nutrient-rich ingredients that are native to place.

Laura Chávez Silverman, a writer and branding consultant, is the Founding Naturalist of The Outside Institute. A desire to share her deep love of nature, and gratitude for its healing powers, inspired this venture. Laura is available for private guided walks and land assessments on private property, retreats and botanical mixology for events. She is a polished and compelling speaker on topics including the psychic and health benefits of engaging with nature, sustainable foraging and how interconnected systems are essential for creativity, productivity and sustainable living. From 2010-17, Laura wrote Glutton for Life, a blog that explored Catskills living, including cooking with seasonal and foraged foods, gardening and communing with nature.