Barbara Kraus

Born in Toronto and raised in Mississauga, Barbara moved to Europe as a young adult to pursue her studies. She received a master’s degree in applied linguistics from the University of Mainz in Germany and then moved to France where she worked at the université canadienne en France for a number of years. In addition to her translation work, she has taught intercultural communication, ESL for engineers, and FSL for technical aid workers at several European universities and technical colleges.

Outside her academic career, Barbara has always had a passion for the outdoors and especially for the plant world. Taught from an early age to appreciate the natural world that surrounds us, she is particularly curious about the role that plants play in their respective environments.

Barbara teaches foraging classes, forest bathing, and gardening techniques at Tamarack Lodge, which she runs together with her husband, Reiner. Located between Toronto and Ottawa in the heart of the Haliburton Highlands, Tamarack Lodge is the ideal place for immersing guests in nature. Barbara has travelled extensively to the Arctic and continues to be rivetted by the beauty of the land, the kindness of its people, and the diversity of Inuit culture.