Author, Nature Advocate,
Rewilding Facilitator
About Vanessa
Author, naturalist, herbalist and former pro boxer, Vanessa Chakour fosters intimacy with inner and outer wilds through writing, herbalism, martial arts, and land stewardship. Drawing on her vast personal experiences over two decades, she curates retreats and courses, inspiring creative expression through writing and movement workshops, and fostering intimacy with nature through an understanding of the plants, fungi, and animals who share our ecosystems. After apprenticing with herbalists and studying plant medicine and ecology in the Northeastern U.S., Costa Rica and Scotland, Vanessa facilitated experiences in partnership with organizations like the Wolf Conservation Center and the Jaguar Rescue Center. She is the author of Awakening Artemis, a memoir told through the lens of 24 medicinal plants, and Earthly Bodies: Embracing Animal Nature, which delves into the parallels between human struggles and the experiences of our wild neighbors, offering insights on self-discovery and coexistence. Vanessa’s writing and work have been featured in Orion, Terrain, Psyche/Aeon Magazine, Yes! Magazine, Psychology Today, and more. A USA Boxing certified coach, Vanessa lives in Westen MA where she coaches boxing, facilitates writing groups and land stewardship initiatives. She is a Project Coyote Ambassador and a devoted student of nature. Learn more here.
Earthly Bodies: Embracing Animal Nature
"In this triumphant and vibrant interweaving of memoir and natural history, Vanessa Chakour grapples with fear and loss, and finds glory in the natural world--including in her own strong, soft body. This is a book that inspires joy and courage. I loved it.” ~ Sy Montgomery, bestselling author of How to Be A Good Creature and The Soul of An Octopus
"Somewhere between a field guide about wild animals and an intimate memoir about a woman’s journey toward wildness and truth, Vanessa Chakour’s Earthly Bodies will make you think deeply about the relationship between your internal and external environments, and the way that each are threatened by modern life. I left this book feeling much more attuned to animal life—my own included." ~ Erica Berry author of Wolfish
Workshops
Explore your wild nature through writing workshops, ethical wildcrafting, and rewilding through boxing. Upcoming offerings include Writing for the Wild, customized Wildcrafting workshops, and small group boxing sessions in Western MA.
AWAKENING ARTEMIS
Combining Vanessa’s story of healing with practical plant-based knowledge, Awakening Artemis is rooted in the belief that healing happens through reclaiming an intuitive connection to ourselves, to the natural world, and to our own “inner wild.”
“An eloquent exploration of the deep, life-giving bonds between plants and people. Vanessa Chakour’s engaging and insightful reflections show us how the generosity of plants can heal us and make us whole.” –David George Haskell, author of Pulitzer finalist The Forest Unseen and Burroughs medalist The Songs of Trees
Testimonials
