4 Elements Earth Education Inc (4E) is governed by a Board of Directors that is collectively responsible for the management and administration of the affairs of the corporation. Members serve the Board of Directors on a volunteer basis and do not receive a salary or any compensation for their service. Board members are committed to exercising an objective point of view, having in mind at all times the well-being of the community and advancement of the 4E mission.
TONY CERVANTES
Board President
Board President
Tony H. Cervantes (Chichimeca) has been working for over 50 years to protect and restore Indigenous relational constructs supportive of people, families, clans, Tribes, communities and Nations and the sacred relationship with the unseen world and all of Creation. Tony is retired from the State of California. After retirement he worked for Sierra Native Alliance and Shingle Springs Rancheria. He is trained in all White Bison, Positive Indian Parenting, Fatherhood/Motherhood is Sacred, Anger Manager and GONA curricula resulting in Cultural Revitalization, Leadership Development, Indigenous best practices, Wellbriety Community Development, Indigenous Addictions/Mental Health prevention/treatment and the Grieving Cycle. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Systems, the Medicine Wheel and the behavioral components of addictions inform work focused on emotional, mental, physical, behavioral, social, volitional and economic wellness change. He currently lives in Northern California’s mountains, has six adult children and eight grandchildren. Tony enjoys being in nature and living sustainably, locally, organically, seasonally through perma-culture farming and wild harvesting medicine, cultural materials and food, road & mountain biking, kayaking, hiking & backpacking, hot springs, rivers and Indigenous ceremony. He provides workshops and farms 2.5 acres using perma-culture practices. He also provides consultant services, including with the California Conservation Corps Back County Crew Orientation training week. Tony deeply believes that living locally is key to bringing us closer to our original ancestors, tonantzin, ehecatl, atl and xieutecuhtli. "I remember drinking water directly from streams, rivers, creeks and seeing thousands of monarch butterflies in all stages of development at one place. What have we done?"
JUAN VILLARREAL
Board Member [Original Founding Member]
Board Member [Original Founding Member]
Juan, Southern Lipan Apache, connected with Rick in 2007 through the Tracker School. Passionate about keeping the old skills alive, Juan brings a unique indigenous view-point to every educational experience.
Whether he's helping lead 4EEE programs or teaching classes through his own organization, Juan serves as a gentle guide, helping people create sacred relationships with the land and life, as a care-taker and healer.
Whether he's helping lead 4EEE programs or teaching classes through his own organization, Juan serves as a gentle guide, helping people create sacred relationships with the land and life, as a care-taker and healer.
ALEX CARNEY
Board Treasurer & Visiting Instructor
Board Treasurer & Visiting Instructor
Alex Carney began at age 15 as a student at Coyote Tracks and trained regularly through his youth in the skills of Wilderness Survival with Rick Berry in the Pine Barrens of NJ.
Alex Went on to serve as a Special Operations Officer in the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) for 9 years of active duty with multiple awards for valor in combat, to include the Bronze Star. After leaving active duty in 2017, Alex has been part of the 4E crew in running our Bi-annual Family Camps in the Pine Barrens Primitive Camp. He runs currently runs his company Critical Response Group and lives with his family in NJ.
Alex Went on to serve as a Special Operations Officer in the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) for 9 years of active duty with multiple awards for valor in combat, to include the Bronze Star. After leaving active duty in 2017, Alex has been part of the 4E crew in running our Bi-annual Family Camps in the Pine Barrens Primitive Camp. He runs currently runs his company Critical Response Group and lives with his family in NJ.
KRISTI KNAPP
Board Secretary & Visiting Instructor
Board Secretary & Visiting Instructor
Kristi joined the 4E Board in August 2021, bringing over 16 years of experience with 4E/COTEF programs. As a long-time friend of the 4E mission, community, and teaching philosophy, she is committed to growing the organization's presence on the East Coast in particular and to shaping the future of 4E to maximize its global impact.
ANNI MCCANN
Board Member
Board Member
Anni joined the 4E Board in March 2020.
Don Ryberg
Pata Panaka Land Steward & Former Board Member
Pata Panaka Land Steward & Former Board Member
Don Ryberg is Chairman of Tsi-Akim Maidu for 23 years.
Don Ryberg represents the Siakumne California Indigenous Tribe and has a voice in how the land is stewarded and the preservation of his cultural ways. Only a half of a percent of his people; Siakumne survived the "Gold Rush" of this foothill region. Don now works daily on the land at Pata Panaka as part of his ancient responsibility as a steward of the land. Don is supportive in a working partnership with 4EEE, where youth can be in a "Native Village" site and learn directly from the land.
Don Ryberg represents the Siakumne California Indigenous Tribe and has a voice in how the land is stewarded and the preservation of his cultural ways. Only a half of a percent of his people; Siakumne survived the "Gold Rush" of this foothill region. Don now works daily on the land at Pata Panaka as part of his ancient responsibility as a steward of the land. Don is supportive in a working partnership with 4EEE, where youth can be in a "Native Village" site and learn directly from the land.