Nick Nutu grew up in the land of blue hills known as Massachusetts. At an early age he was biking, building forts and igloos, while wandering with his dog in the woods. His father taught him how to fish, ski, and how to get “lost” in the wild. Nick has camped and backpacked all over the world, from the Appalachians to the distant jungles of Central/South America. He's foraged mushrooms with gypsies in Romania, worked on organic farms, and canoed the Amazon rivers with NOLS (nature outdoor leadership school). He is as comfortable as can be in the outdoors and enjoys volunteering for community services, nature preserves, and helping the homeless in his spare time. He is a lifelong musician, playing guitar, flute, and crafting instruments from plants himself. 

Nick studied Media Arts and philosophy at the University of Arizona, receiving his Bachelor of Arts. After college, he spent time in the desert learning Native American traditions and falling in love with horse back riding. From his roots in farming, he started helping small businesses selling raw cacao, honey, and kombucha. He found his passion with youth after helping his aunt who runs Fast Forward magazine in Marin, which brings students on a journalism journey all over the bay. That led him to teaching for the Berkeley Chess School for a year. He finally transitioned into working to this day for Vilda where he instructs adolescents on how to connect with nature in home/after school programs and outdoor overnights.

​Over the years he has been on a quest to study under many different elders, working in sweat lodges and traditional ceremonies to further his own bond with the wild world. When he’s not traveling on an adventure you can find Nick exploring with his dog barefoot and foraging medicinal herbs around Mt. Tamalpais. Nick is also Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified.