Sierra brings a rare combination of warmth, curiosity, and deep respect for both people and place. Her ability to connect with students, lead with empathy, and thoughtfully design meaningful experiences makes her an incredible addition to our team. We’re beyond excited to have her join the team at Rooted Life Adventures."
- Austin Rogers, Founder of Rooted Life Adventures
About Field Wellness Director | Sierra Derke
Sierra was born and raised just outside of Seattle, Washington, where she grew up exploring temperate forests, saltwater coastlines, and the Cascade Mountains. Craving sunshine and big peaks, she headed south to attend Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. While studying Environmental Studies and Spanish, Sierra discovered her passion for outdoor recreation and conservation. A semester abroad in Costa Rica sparked her love for international travel, broadened her worldview, and set her on a path toward a career in education and travel.
After graduation, Sierra bounced between small towns working in the environmental education field. From the mountains of Southern California to rural Appalachia and eventually the Rockies, she continued to cultivate a deep sense of wonder for the natural world. This journey led her to work as an international instructor for a gap year program. Sierra guided students throughout Central and South America, before transitioning into an office role directing programs worldwide.
Over the past two years, Sierra has been traveling through New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Australia on a grand adventure. She's been surfing, climbing, fishing, hiking, and learning at every opportunity. She is thrilled to join the Rooted Life Adventures team and continue creating transformative experiences for students.
Trainings:
- Wilderness First Responder - NOLS
- Fair Trade Learning: Theory to Practice - Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative
- Collaborative Problem Solving - Think: Kids
- Structural Assessment for Wildfires - NFPA
- Fluent in Spanish
We're delighted to have Sierra join our Rooted Life Adventures program for Spring 2026 as our Field Wellness Director in Byron Bay, Australia. Interested to find out more about our All-Women Australian Program? You can read more about the program here.
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