Wilderness Guides
Jorge Acevedo
Owner & Wilderness Guide
Jorge was born on the beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico or Borikén, known as the island of enchantment. While also having Cuban roots, his life was shaped by family stories of seeking freedom in new lands. Throughout his childhood, these stories and deeply diverse ecosystems planted seeds of inspiration that would later tie into his purpose & path. This helped solidify an unbreakable physical and spiritual connection to the natural world.
Through his family's search for better opportunities, a new chapter was born with his relocation to Austin, Texas in 2002. Since then, Texas become his new playground. Exploring & protecting many of its natural treasures while sharing their gleam with younger generations. As a former primitive skills trail guide that led children 5-15 years of age- His primitive skills journey have led him to learn from world-class mentors like David Holladay, Chris Hyde, Peter “Big-Foot”, Phillip Liebell, among many others. He’s also been inspired by primitive skills gatherings like Wintercount & SkyEarth.
Jorge has dedicated himself to the pursuit of sustainable methods of living since 2010. This focus led his family to fulfill the dream of creating an off-grid homestead with the gracious help of his community. For the past 7 years, Jorge has been homesteading on an 85 acre off-grid property in Central Texas -charged with a focus on food, water, shelter, and energy. This mainly consists of organic food production through permaculture principles, soil remediation & composting, land & animal stewardship, salvage architecture, off-grid technologies, community planning, among many more!
Jorge has been a part of several groundbreaking projects in the outdoor field like; Texas Tiny Houses, Whole Systems Network, Natureversity, Xyncreate, and now Soul of Oak. Jorge strives to connect his student's innate senses to the ecosystems that sustain life, leading them each towards self-determination, awareness & purpose. He dreams of launching an outdoor educational center in the Cordillera Central mountains of Puerto Rico, inspiring families to find their sovereignty as future caretakers of the island. Further motivating them to set and keep roots in the land that first inspired his path.
*He offers courses for participants in the English and Spanish language.
Our Guides are certified in:
Wilderness First-Aid
CPR
Lifeguard
Taylor Liston
Wilderness Guide
Taylor was born in Austin, Texas, but grew up in western Pennsylvania with his identical twin brother, Carter. Spending his childhood exploring the deciduous forests behind his home, he developed a deep love for nature through building forts, catching tadpoles, and climbing trees. As he grew older, his passion expanded into learning about ecosystems, foraging for wild plants and mushrooms, and taking reflective solo journeys in the wilderness.
With a strong desire to inspire and guide others, Taylor has always enjoyed working with kids. In high school, he organized a lacrosse skills camp for young athletes and served as a summer camp counselor, finding joy in mentoring and fostering curiosity in children. His dedication to understanding and helping others led him to earn a degree in Psychology from Kent State University. Following graduation, he traveled extensively—from California to Europe—and engaged in an off-grid work exchange in Hawaii, where he deepened his knowledge of sustainable living and community building.
Now, Taylor is thrilled to bring his passion for nature, adventure, and personal growth to Soul of Oak Outdoor School as a wilderness guide. He is eager to share the magic, wisdom, and healing power of the natural world with the next generation, fostering a sense of wonder, connection, and resilience in all who join him on the trail!
