Jim aka Mr. Lokken
❄️
Jim grew up just a few miles from where we have forest school! As a child he spent much of his time exploring in the woods and rivers nearby with his dogs. By 7th grade Jim was doing three week river trips with a naturalist friend and as a teenager he was leading trips with his little brother.
🌿
Jim always felt at home in the woods and rivers of Interior Alaska. His obsession is learning about birds, mammals (both past and present), fish and forests. Jim has a B.S. degree in Biology & Chemistry from UAF where he skied and ran competitively. Jim also has a M.S. in Exercise Physiology from UC Davis and the first part of a geology degree just for fun— he loves going to school and learning science!!
🌎✨
Jim raised four kids to appreciate nature and exercise. They have hiked, skied, or biked on the trails that run past our forest school yurt. With his wife, Sylvia Slotnick, Jim gets out on the trails nearly everyday. They also enjoy exploring European hiking trails together.
🍂
Jim loves telling stories, show and tell & teaching about nature! He taught Alaska Natural History classes at Tanana, Randy Smith, and Lathrop for more than 30 years. Now retired, Jim can often be found as a substitute teacher at Pearl Creek Elementary School— giving back to the school where his children went for 14 years.