Nonviolent Communication (NVC) by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D. invites us to focus our attention in ways that support a reciprocal compassionate giving and receiving with the hope of interpersonal connection.

The Eco-Depth Psychology of Wild Mind (WM) by Bill Plotkin, Ph.D. provides a framework for cultivating personal wholeness and self-healing supporting self-connection in relationship to the heart of the world.

Together, NVC and WM encompass a wholistic relational framework for self-connection and interpersonal connection while including a connection to the "more-than-human" world, supporting the emergence of a life-affirming culture of healthy mature adults.

Toward this end, the Wild Connection Development Program (WCDP) encourages the development of leaders to pursue certifications in both NVC and WM from the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC.org) and Animas Valley Institute (Animas.org) respectively by offering scholarships to trainers, guides and practitioners in the complimentary modality.

The scholarships are currently funded by an anonymous donor. Phase 1 is managed by Sarah Brooks of Animas Valley Institute, and James Prieto, a CNVC Certified NVC Trainer and Animas Valley Certified Wild Mind Practitioner.