Eric Comley
Instructor — Nature Education, Plant Studies, and Youth Development
Eric Comley brings more than two decades of experience as a University of Kentucky Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development to Nature Reliance School, where he’s been an instructor since 2022. A dedicated educator and lifelong naturalist, Eric has inspired countless students to develop a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and environmental stewardship.
Eric is a Certified Kentucky Master Naturalist and serves as an instructor for the program, specializing in herbaceous plants. He also holds certifications in Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), Project WILD (Wildlife Education), Project Learning Tree (Forest Education), and Project Underground (Cave Education).
A Certified Non-Formal Environmental Educator, Eric’s academic background is extensive, with undergraduate and graduate coursework in botany, plant systematics, aquatic and wetland plants, dendrology, aquatic ecosystems, entomology, malacology, plant ecology, and wildlife conservation.
Eric is also an intern trainer for Kentucky 4-H Camping Environmental Education and Environmental Camp programs, and he is a member of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education. He holds CPR and First Aid certifications, underscoring his commitment to student safety.
Known for his enthusiasm and depth of knowledge, Eric enjoys teaching a variety of courses at NRS, including Survival, Bushcraft, Primitive Skills, Tracking, Land Navigation, Nature Immersion, and Wilderness First Aid. His passion for plants and ecosystems helps students see the forest, and every plant within it, in a whole new way.
