About
Hi! I'm Heather Wheeler, founder of Open Ecology, a woman-owned business grounded in the understanding that caring for land is inseparable from caring for ourselves.
My offering is a collaborative, heart-centered approach to ecological stewardship, guided by listening and adaptability. By partnering with skilled professionals and integrating creative resources, I address the unique needs of each property, project, and location. Every effort reflects a commitment to honoring the essence of the land and the vision of its caretakers, while remaining responsive to evolving needs and possibilities.
Open Ecology seeks to embody connection and receptivity. It is a practice of opening pathways between humans, Earth, and the wisdom that emerges from within. This work invites us to expand our awareness, soften our approach, and attune to the guidance found in the land and within ourselves.
At its heart, this is a practice of listening. It begins by opening to the rhythms of the Earth and the quiet knowing within, then translating that into intentional stewardship. The aim is to support a way of being that strengthens the bond between people and the living world, as one. Not just as a service, but as something anyone can learn to tend and carry forward.
How I Can Help
Open Ecology is built on a foundation of lived experience, trust, and a commitment to listening—to both people and the land. Over a decade of stewarding hundreds of acres in the Western Cascades of Oregon has taught me the importance of integrating practical solutions with ecological principles and emotional intelligence.
I understand the challenges you face because I’ve lived them. From navigating family dynamics to finding the balance between practicality and purpose, I know how to bring clarity to complexity. My approach is not about imposing solutions but about walking beside you to uncover what works for your land and your life.
With Open Ecology, you’ll find a partner who respects the land as a living entity, values your vision, and helps you transform challenges into opportunities for connection and growth. The most effective approach is to step into a relationship with the land that is reciprocal, dynamic, and rooted in mutual respect.
Listening to the Land
Learning to interpret the language of Earth guides thoughtful, responsive care. Every landscape has something to say. True stewardship begins with listening.
Through observation and dialogue, the work begins by noticing what is already present, what is asking for support, and how human needs might align with the patterns and possibilities of place. This practice includes attuning to the land’s rhythms, responding to its needs, and recognizing its gifts as part of an ongoing relationship of respect and reciprocity.
This approach blends ecological understanding with emotional intelligence, so that both land and people are met with attention and care.
As a partner in stewardship, I bring ecological principles, practical expertise, and deep listening to the land. Together, we can:
Develop regenerative practices that support vibrant, ecologically integrated surroundings
Support coexistence between human activity and living systems
Create sacred spaces that reflect beauty, relationship, and purpose
Navigate the complexities of rural living, from daily logistics to long-range ecological care
This work honors the land as a living partner and invites a way of relating that is both practical and profound.
What This Work Offers
This approach is shaped by years of direct engagement with land. Particularly large, diverse properties that require both practical skill and long-view thinking. My work draws on practical experience in land stewardship, combining ecological understanding with attentiveness to human dynamics and place-based nuance. Each project is guided by the specific character of the land and the vision held for it.
Collaborations are built on trust, transparency, and shared purpose. Whether addressing complex infrastructure, seasonal care, or emotional layers within a project, the process remains flexible and grounded. Solutions are clear, actionable, and aligned with the natural rhythms of the place.
