Marion Elissalde

​A lifelong artist, naturalist, and forager, Marion is endlessly fascinated by the intricate beauty of the natural world. Her creative practice and deep curiosity inspire her to notice the small wonders that often go unseen—and to help children discover them for themselves.

As a parent, Marion sought out opportunities to share her love of nature with her own children through local forest school communities, including Earthsong at the Morgan Arboretum and Colibri's 30-acre Adventure Club. Those experiences sparked a passion for outdoor education and a desire to create meaningful, child-led learning experiences rooted in curiosity, exploration, and play.

Marion believes the forest is one of the richest classrooms imaginable. Guided by children's interests, she encourages learners to explore everything from science and mathematics to art, storytelling, ecology, and practical life skills through hands-on discovery. She believes that every tree, stream, insect, and mushroom has something to teach us, and that the most meaningful learning happens when children are free to ask questions, take risks, and follow their own sense of wonder.

As Program Director, Communications & Operations at Hudson Forest Play, Marion helps guide the organization's programs, communications, and strategic growth while continuing to teach in the forest each week. She is passionate about building a welcoming community where children, families, and educators can develop lasting connections with nature and with one another.

Professionally, Marion brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand development. A graduate of NSCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she has led creative projects for businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational initiatives, combining thoughtful storytelling with strong visual communication. Her diverse background enriches Hudson Forest Play's programming while helping share its vision with the wider community.

Marion is honoured to be part of the Hudson Forest Play team and is excited to help children cultivate confidence, resilience, creativity, and a lifelong relationship with the natural world.