Guides

Betsy Robinson

Betsy is a wildlife biologist and long-time professional naturalist guide. She’s done breeding bird surveys in Prince William Sound, grizzly bear research on Kodiak Island, and worked for gray wolf recovery in Yellowstone. Betsy is the co-founder of Wild Things Unlimited, dedicated to wildlife research and education.

Bryan Bates

Bryan lives near Flagstaff, in a solar hogan he designed and built himself. He teaches environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, and archaeoastronomy at a Flagstaff community college, while also doing research in the astronomy of ancient civilizations. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring canyons, running rivers, and fly-fishing.

Fritz Wittwer

A native of Switzerland, Fritz settled in Alaska after extended travels in North America, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. He’s been in Alaska for over 20 years now, working as a naturalist and hiking guide. He and his wife just finished building a house (themselves!) near Denali that they are running as a B&B.

Gail Richardson

An avid hiker, scuba diver, backpacker, and skier, Gail is very knowledgeable about western ecology, geology, wildlife, and history, and is an enthusiastic voice for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Gail worked in Yellowstone National Park for nine years, and was also a naturalist and visitor center manager for Gallatin National Forest.

Hans Schulz

Hans, a native Argentine of German origin, grew up in rural Patagonia. After his military service, he studied cultural anthropology in Buenos Aires, later returning to Patagonia to work with underserved Indian children. Along with guiding travelers around Argentina, he is the author of three books, including one about German immigration to Bariloche.

Hugh Rose

Originally from Nova Scotia, Hugh makes his home in Fairbanks, Alaska. The accomplished photographer and naturalist has a master’s degree in geology and is an excellent birder and botanist. Hugh has amassed an incredible portfolio of images from Alaska, as well as from other wild places like Antarctica, Tasmania, and the Galapagos.

Jamie Walton

Jamie was an instructor at the Audubon Ecology Workshop in the Rockies for a decade, and also managed a natural history tour program for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. In addition to leading tours for conservation and education groups, Jamie does wildlife research, is an outdoorsman and rock climber, and works as a paramedic.

John Ninneman

Dean of Arts and Sciences at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, John has spent years studying the Anasazi and Fremont cultures. He takes a keen interest in rock art, flora and fauna of the high desert, archaeoastronomy, and the ancient road systems of the Southwest.

Kurt Westenbarger

Kurt’s 26 years of guiding and educational experience covers the unique wildlife and geology of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau to the history of the Fur Trade and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He is a gifted teacher and photographer who never tires of sharing his love of natural and cultural history. Kurt’s consummate outdoor skills combined with a gift for storytelling and a great sense of humor make his journeys unforgettable.

Leslie Stoltz

Many people have come to discover and understand their connection to nature and the world around them through Leslie’s guidance. She worked in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks for ten years, and for the last 15 years has taught classes and guided trips throughout the Rocky Mountain West, Ecuador, Mexico, and elsewhere.

Mike Buttram

After studying in Germany on a Fulbright, Mike Buttram spent four years in Mexico and Honduras teaching music. His adventurous spirit led him to the far corners of those countries, and gave him a sound sense of connection to the people and places he encountered. Mike lives on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Nathanael Dodge

Nathanael brings geology, natural history, and cultural discovery to life in the field. He believes in teaching young people skills that build their self-confidence and awareness of the natural world in order to help them prepare for life’s challenges. Nathanael is also a Wilderness First Responder, Crisis Prevention Instructor, and youth case manager.

Rosemary Power

Rosemary has spent the last twenty years interpreting the natural and human history of the Canadian Rockies. Using her degree in biology and anthropology, she spent two years studying orangutans in the jungles of Borneo, and in her spare time, she and her husband travel the world working on environmental documentaries.

Steve Gehman

Steve is a wildlife biologist and has studied bears, wolverines, and other forest carnivores in the Rocky Mountains and Alaska for over 20 years. He’s been guiding that long too, and is also the co-founder of Wild Things Unlimited, an organization dedicated to wildlife research and education.