Gentle Roots Nature Care: Helping Houston Families Reconnect with Nature
Gentle Roots Nature Care
Nature as teacher. Community as village. Childhood as it’s meant to be.
In the heart of Houston’s “concrete jungle,” a new organization is planting something different: roots of community, curiosity, and resilience. Gentle Roots Nature Care, founded by partners Viktorya Avetisyan and Lydia Williams, was born out of the belief that children (and adults) thrive when they’re given the freedom to explore, play, and connect with nature.
“We’ve seen how kids light up around bugs, dirt, and trails,” the founders explain. “That kind of exploration brings out their most resilient, confident, and creative selves. We wanted to create a place in Houston where families could experience that, and where parents could find their ‘village.’”
Planting the Idea
The idea for Gentle Roots wasn’t born in a boardroom — it sprouted on trails, in backyards, and through countless conversations about what families need.
“As my business partner Lydia and I connected, shared our vision and goals, things just aligned,” Viktorya says. “We saw the need in our community, connected with like-minded families that shared our values, and decided to be brave and try to make a difference in our corner of the world.”
Their mission is simple yet transformative: to bring people, kids and adults alike, closer to nature, cultivate a sense of community, and foster learning that flows naturally.
Philosophy: Let Kids Lead the Way
At the heart of Gentle Roots are three guiding values: community, connection to nature, and holistic child development.
“We are big on exploration and child-led learning,” Viktorya explains. “Schedules, screens, and stress overwhelm our systems. We want to gently return to core values of connecting to our environment and cultivating community so we can feel safe.”
Some Things Gentle Roots Believes In
Gentle Roots is more than just a program — it’s a philosophy. Viktorya and Lydia believe children thrive when given the space, freedom, and encouragement to explore.
Climbing & Imaginative Play – Risky play is encouraged. Kids learn to trust their bodies by climbing, balancing, and exploring — building confidence and resilience.
Mixed Age Groups – Younger children learn by mimicking older peers, while older kids develop empathy and leadership.
Child-Led Learning – Interests drive focus. “We do not rush kids,” Viktorya says. “We cater to their natural curiosity and let them take their time.”
Minimal Supplies – Nature itself is the best toy. With leaves, sticks, mud, and sand, kids create worlds of their own.
Risky Play – “We guide children through doing ‘dangerous’ things safely,” she explains. “Their confidence flourishes just from recognizing their own limits.”
Sensory Play – Dirt, water, mud, textures — kids are allowed to get messy, explore, and regulate through their senses.
All-Weather Learning – Rain or shine, Houston heat or winter chill, Gentle Roots believes resilience grows outdoors.
Education and Outreach
Gentle Roots is about more than just fresh air — it’s about education.
“We feel that education happens best through hands-on experiences in nature,” Viktorya says. “Nature calms us, helps our focus and attention, and provides learning opportunities daily. Kids learn best about what interests them, so we tune in, we pay attention, and we cater to that.”
Workshops for adults and teens carry this philosophy further, offering in-depth themes like plant knowledge, herbalism, and nature crafts. Even the free community events double as subtle lessons — teaching both kids and adults to notice their surroundings, name plants, and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world.
Magic in the Mud
The heart of Gentle Roots shines through in the stories Viktorya shares.
One day, a child suggested they make “Jungle Jars” from nature treasures. Viktorya leaned into the idea, starting with a read-aloud of In a Jar before handing out jars and setting the kids loose on the trail. They returned with containers full of flowers, bark, seed pods, and sand.
“Child-led, slow-paced, full of creativity and connection — it was a great day,” she recalls.
Another child once struggled with sensory issues and resisted dirt. Over time, exposure to the outdoors worked its magic. “After multiple exposures to dirt and mud, she was walking barefoot on the trail! After long walks in the woods, she developed strong legs, excellent balance, and bravery. Utterly transformed.”
These are the daily sparks that remind Viktorya why this work matters. “From kids noticing trash on trails and questioning why anyone would dirty beautiful nature, to realizing they can climb the height that once scared them — these sparks happen all the time.”
Looking Ahead
Gentle Roots isn’t racing toward growth. Viktorya envisions something slower, more sustainable: “Our goal is to grow slow but steady, like a fruit tree. We want to strengthen our roots and our trunk before we grow big and produce fruit. What we know for sure is we will stay true to our values: community, connection to nature, and holistic child development.”
They’re also flexible and open to adapting as opportunities arise. “We’re big on going with the flow and trusting the process of where this will take us. What we hope is that more families will recognize the importance of nature and community for overall health — and grow with us.”
Part of that future includes building partnerships with ABA clinics, occupational therapists, and homeschool co-ops. “Not yet,” Viktorya says, “but we’re looking into sponsored outings and partnerships that will expand our impact.”
The Feeling They Hope You Leave With
At the end of the day, Gentle Roots isn’t just about mud pies and leaf collections — it’s about something deeper.
“Every day I go home feeling connected, grounded, energized, and filled with joy,” Viktorya says. “That’s what we wish everyone walks away with. The remembrance that we are all connected — plants, bugs, soil, humans — and in this connection is where we all thrive.”
Find Gentle Roots Nature Care
🌐 Website: gentlerootsnaturecare.org
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @gentlerootsnaturecare
📍 Houston, TX
