PAUL MORRIS · MSc, CERP
Thirty years of walking the land
I have been doing this work since before most of the people I now teach were born.
I began in Ontario—wetlands, grasslands, and Carolinian forest restoration. I moved into
the Carolinian forest corridor work, then into urban ecological restoration across the
Greater Toronto Area. In 2015, Sophia and I moved to the Yucatán Peninsula and began the restoration of what became Tsunul Reserve—39 hectares of dead cattle ranch
That is now a recovering tropical dry forest.
I hold a Master of Science in Biology and am a Certified Ecological Restoration
Practitioner (CERP). I have worked with John D Liu, contributed to the Fundamentals
of Ecological Restoration curriculum, and mentored over one hundred international
volunteers and interns.
But the credential that matters most to me is simpler: I have walked the same
land thousands of times, in every season, for ten years, and I know the difference
between how it sounds now and how it sounded then.
I am also a Buddhist meditation instructor. I mention this not as a credential but
as context: the quality of attention that makes restoration work is the same quality
of attention that meditation cultivates. Presence is not soft. It is the most practical
skill in this work.
SOPHIA ORTIZ · AGRONOMY ENGINEER
The science of the living soil
My background is in agronomy—the science of soil, plants, and their relationship.
I came to restoration ecology through agriculture, which gave me a perspective that
Pure ecology sometimes misses that the soil is not a substrate but a community, and that's how we treat it, which determines everything that grows above it.
At Tsunul Reserve, I am responsible for the soil biology program—the microscopy,
the compost teas, the biochar production, and the plant micropropagation protocols for species rescue and conservation. I also bring the ethnobotanical dimension: the traditional knowledge of the plants we are working with, their cultural significance, and their agricultural relationships.
The milpa system — the traditional corn-bean-squash intercrop — is one of the most
sophisticated soil management systems ever developed. I am deeply interested in what conventional restoration ecology can learn from it.
Tsunul Reserve
Tsunul Reserve is a 39-hectare biological reserve twenty minutes south of Mérida,Yucatán. It is off-grid — solar power, rainwater collection, composting toilets —and it is the location for all Planet Healers in-person programs.When we arrived in 2015, it was a compacted cattle ranch. Today it is a recoveringtropical dry forest with documented populations of ocelot, margay, tayra,white-nosed coati, kinkajou, gray fox, and northern raccoon. The near-threatenedOcellated Turkey is present every morning of every month.The private cenote holds five endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.The soil organic matter in the food forest has risen from 7% to 22%.The Laughing Falcon — the Coz — is nesting in the cave above the underground water.Stats row:39 ha · Reserve · 10 yrs · Active Restoration100+ · Native Species · 5 · Endemic Cenote Species
Why We Do This Work
You want your land to support life, hold water, rebuild soil, and bring back wildlife.We want to help you make that happen.
We've spent our careers restoring ecosystems, guiding landowners, teaching students, and helping communities protect and rebuild natural landscapes.
Who Are We
Paul Morris and Sophia Ortiz are a restoration ecologist and agronomy engineer with decades of experience across many ecosystems, from temperate forests and prairies to tropical dry forests and wetlands.
Our work includes:
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Designing restoration and eco-agriculture plans
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Supporting landowners with long-term projects
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Conducting soil and water assessments
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Planning and planting native habitats
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Training interns, land managers and community groups
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Creating educational resources
We co-founded the Planet Healers to support land restoration and ecological education worldwide.
Our Approach
Every piece of land is unique. We work with nature.
Every landowner has different goals and needs.
We help you create a plan that fits:
Your climate
Your soils
Your water
Your restoration goals
Your time and capacity
You receive solutions that work in real life, not just on paper.
Sliding Scale & Accessibility
At Planet Healers, we are committed to making regenerative knowledge and mentorship accessible to everyone dedicated to healing the Earth.
We operate on a complete honour system—trusting your honest self-assessment of need, as you will work directly with us.
These discounts help remove barriers for changemakers worldwide, especially students, low-income individuals, small community groups, and underrepresented voices in ecological restoration.
Apply the appropriate coupon code during booking (or mention your request in the intake form). If your situation doesn't fit perfectly, feel free to share—we'll discuss together.
PROBONO100 (100% off)
Full scholarship for high-impact community-led projects, Indigenous or underrepresented groups, severe financial hardship, or transformative work that deeply aligns with our vision of global ecosystem regeneration. Limited spots—reserved for those where full access creates lasting, positive change.
EQUITY75 (75% off)
Deep support for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women in regenerative fields, or individuals from low-income/underrepresented backgrounds facing barriers to participation. Ideal for those building skills in restoration, permaculture, or community stewardship despite limited resources.
NONPROFIT50 (50% off)
Mid-level assistance for small nonprofits, NGOs, cooperatives, or early-stage community initiatives with constrained budgets (e.g., annual under $100k). Helps organizations focused on biodiversity, soil health, or local land restoration access expert guidance.
STUDENT25 (25% off)
Entry-level encouragement for current students, recent graduates, or early-career professionals in ecology, agronomy, or related fields. Supports emerging leaders gaining practical experience in biochar, ecosystem restoration, or sustainable practices.
GLOBALSOUTH (50% off)
Regional support for individuals or groups based in the Global South (including Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and other developing regions), accounting for local economic realities. Perfect for small farmers, community restorers, or local leaders contributing to soil regeneration, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience in their home ecosystems.
These discounts are designed to attract the most dedicated and diverse participants—those who will thrive in our community, contribute meaningfully, and carry the work forward globally. Since we work directly with you, the process is personal, flexible, and built on trust.