Leigh Ellexson
Leigh Ellexson Nocs Naturalists Introduce yourself and how you’ve been spending your time these days!? My name is Leigh Ellexson,...
Mikey Muirhead
Mikey Muirhead Nocs Naturalists Introduce yourself and what you’re up to these days! Hello my name is Mikey. :) I’m a mid 30’s millennial living in the heart of Utah, US. I work full time as a photographer for a men’s backpack...
Read NowDay Scott
Day Scott Nocs Naturalists Introduce yourself and what you’re up to… Hi, I’m Day. I’m a disabled wildlife biologist and student with a love for research, conservation, photography, and exploring wild places. During the school year, I’m buried deep in my studies...
Read NowL. Renee Blount
L. RENEE BLOUNT Nocs Naturalists In the cool morning air, I pan the surroundings looking for wild dogs alongside conservationists in Kruger National Park. Lifting the binoculars to my face, I recognize I am living out a dream. The dream of getting...
Read NowAngela Rodriguez
Angela Rodriguez Nocs Naturalists Introduce yourself and what you’re up to these days? My name is Angela Rodriguez but I go by Ang (@anggeventure) on socials. I’m a 28 year old Latina-American living on the Central Coast of California with my partner...
Read NowJulianna Laine
Julianna Laine Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself and how and where have you been spending your time these days? My name is Julianna. I am a singer-songwriter, surfer, model and a creative that wears many hats - my days tend to look different...
Read NowLaysea Hughes
Laysea Hughes When Travel Meets Sustainability + Creativity Tell us about yourself! I was born and raised in a small town on the east coast of Florida, and have lived a fluid ~ on the go sort of travel lifestyle for the...
Read NowMichael Lombardo, The McGolrick Bird Club
Michael Lombardo McGolrick Bird Club Introduce yourself and what’s floating your boat these days? I’m Michael, the recovering tech worker...
Will Valentine
Will Valentine Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself. My name is Will. I am a life-long nature lover and limitlessly curious. I currently live in the state of Maine, but have also spent quite a lot of time in Washington state and the state...
Read NowBenny Jacobs-Schwartz
Benny Jacobs-Schwartz Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself and what you’re up to lately Hey there! I'm Benny Jacobs-Schwartz, a naturalist educator, wildlife photographer, writer, and passionate birding guide from Los Angeles, California. I’m currently based in Los Angeles and Monteverde, Costa Rica surrounded...
Read NowChelsea Connor
Chelsea Connor Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself! What’s got you feeling excited lately? I’m Chelsea Connor, multi hyphenate biologist, artist, avid bird fan and one of the Black Birder’s Week cofounders! I’m from the Commonwealth of Dominica which has the best birds in...
Read NowAmelia Waliany
Amelia Waliany Nocs Naturalist Can you tell us a bit about your passions beyond “work” + Do you find that these passions blend, merge or complement your work? I recently learned that my name has a few different meanings: “work” in German...
Read NowIsaac Laredo
Isaac Laredo Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself My name is Isaac Laredo I live in Verdi Nevada I work locally and internationally as a mountain guide. I’m building a life with an incredible partner and beautiful golden retriever in the Sierra Nevada. We...
Read NowSyd / Vancouver Queer Birders Club
Syd Vancouver Queer Birders Club Introduce yourself and your epic community you’re involved with. I’m Syd, and I’m the founder of Vancouver Queer Birders- an organization that has quickly become such a joyous part of my life. Currently, my partner Ashley and...
Read NowTaran Buie
Taran Buie Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself. What are you up to these days? Where are you? Hello fellow explorers! My name is Taran Buie. I am a 32-year-old husband and father of two young boys. Originally from New York, I now call...
Read NowJordan Parham
Jordan Parham Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself Hello! My name is Jordan Parham. I was born and raised in New Jersey and have always had an interest in anything relating to wildlife, public speaking and exploration. I’ve been into nature since I was...
Read NowKatherine Hepburn
Katherine Hepburn Nocs Naturalist Introduce yourself Hi, My name is Katherine Hepburn (They/She). I also go by Katburn, Kat, and maybe one day Katbird. I live and teach in Boston, but I’m originally from Michigan. I have loved being outdoors since I...
Read NowTori Baird
Tori Baird Nocs Naturalist Intro My name is Tori Baird and I’ve been paddling for over 10 years. I have had the incredible privilege of completing a few self guided trips down remote rivers in northern areas of Canada including the East...
Read NowCaziah Franklin – Embracing Outdoor Adventure & Storytelling
Caziah Franklin Embracing Outdoor Adventure & Storytelling Intro My name is Caziah Rashad Franklin, and I am an adventurer, photojournalist, writer, producer, and storyteller whose work highlights the necessity of diversity and inclusivity in the outdoor and creative space, advocating for their...
Read NowOlivia VanDamme on Surfing, Community, and Connection
Olivia VanDamme On Surfing, Community and Connection Intro Olivia VanDamme comes from a family who has a natural connection to the sea, so as an educator, poet, surfer and naturalist her ties to nature run deep. We caught up with Olivia in...
Read NowSharon Dorsey — Seeing Wildlife in the Everyday
Sharon Dorsey Seeing Wildlife in the Everyday Intro We’re excited to add Sharon Dorsey to our team of talented Naturalists. Coming from the eastern lands of the US, Sharon is an upcoming thought-leader in the birding and science community and someone to...
Read NowRichie Winter — Climbing Towards Inclusivity
Say howdy to this daring adventurer. Richie lives life on the edge — really though. He’s a rock climber and photographer who likes to see the world from all different perspectives, which sometimes requires a lil bit of climbing. As a member...
Read NowDowny Woodpecker: Agriculture’s Hero
Say hello to the smallest woodpecker in North America. Cute, isn’t he? Downy woodpeckers are probably the most familiar woodpecker to people living in the eastern states. They aren’t exactly shy and like to frequent backyards and parks. What might surprise you,...
Read NowSara Wolman: Conservation Through Creativity
Sara Wolman is an award-winning Graphic Artist, Conservationist, and Science Communicator. Her art reflects the relationship she has established with the environment and serves as a reminder of the inherent connection we all have with the natural world. She strives for her...
Read NowElasmotherium Sibiricum: The Siberian Unicorn
Long ago, unicorns walked our planet. But it wasn’t exactly the unicorn you’re imagining. Instead of a whimsical, horse-like creature that spreads sparkles and magic, it was a mud-rolling, bulky-bodied beast. Much like a rhino. In fact, there was an entire genus...
Read NowMonica Semergiu — Visual Storyteller by Nature
Tell me more about your relationship with public lands. What do they mean to you? First of all, I want to say that I believe we can’t really “own” land/the earth. The best we can be is stewards of this land, and...
Read NowEmperor Penguin — Adapted for the Extreme
Penguins are one of the most admired birds, and it’s easy to see why. The tuxedo-wearing, stubby-winged waddlers are equally cute as they are impressive. And… there are 18 different types of penguins to adore! Each with its own unique features, habitat,...
Read NowRashid Clifton: The Best Times are Spent in Water
Hi! My name is Rashid Clifton. I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, but I have been calling Encinitas, California home for the past two years. Tell me more about your relationship with public lands. What do they mean to...
Read NowTitanoboa: The Snake of Your Nightmares
Remember the movie Anaconda that came out in the 90s? It instilled a new level of ophidiophobia (snake fear) in some while leaving others chomping at the bit. The thought of an aquatic, 25 ft snake slithering through the Amazon sounds almost...
Read NowNicole Poppell: Bringing Life to Color
She’s a Muralist, Installation Artist, and Founder of Mural Mates — introducing, Nicole Poppell! We admire Nicole’s knack for converting her natural influences into bold, playful works of art.Take a moment to see the world through the eyes of this curious creative…...
Read NowHelicoprion: The Buzz Saw Shark
What’s the buzz? It’s all about helicoprion, dubbed the strangest shark in Earth’s history. But don’t fret next time you visit the beach — the freakish fish has been extinct for millions of years. Helicoprion was a member of an entire genus...
Read NowAmelia Winger-Bearskin: Water Protector
We’re spotlighting Amelia — Deer Clan member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma. She stays busy as an Artist, Professor, and Founder of the UF AI Climate Justice Lab. Her primary focus: addressing the global water crisis. Can you tell us a...
Read NowGreat Horned Owl: Master of Stealth
Although it’s North America’s most prevalent owl species, the great horned owl’s healthy population is hardly noticeable to the average person. Even if it were to fly right beside you, there’s a great chance that you won’t notice a thing. That’s because...
Read NowKevin Condon: Making the Field Accessible
My name is Kevin Condon, and I am the director of The Bird School Project, which is an outdoor education program that operates in the Monterey Bay region of California. We provide schoolyard birding programs for roughly 10,000 students annually, mostly in...
Read NowKrystal Aguilar: Capturing the Epic
Tell me about your relationship with public lands. What do they mean to you? I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t grow up with access to public lands. I was born in NYC and lived in Queens for...
Read NowDaeodon: The Terminator Pig
Millions of years ago, everything was bigger — and pigs were no exception. In fact, an entire family of massive pig-like species once existed called entelodonts. The largest member of this family, daeodon, was dubbed “terminator pig,” and it’s no surprise why....
Read NowTrevor Port: Eco-Friendly by Design
Hello! My name is Trevor Port, and I’m the Founder/Designer behind Keep Earth Around, a multidisciplinary design studio that works to elevate Mother Nature’s voice through Earth-friendly visuals and messaging. I’m 30 years old, and am from San Diego and currently living...
Read NowThe Shoebill Stork: Africa’s Most Wanted
There is a lot of mystique surrounding the shoebill stork. Questions are provoked by its uber-slow motions and prehistoric appearance. Its mysterious glare only adds to the curiosity. No wonder birdwatchers consider the shoebill stork as one of the five most desirable...
Read NowChloé Blanchard — Surfing Through Life
Blessings! Chloé here — born and raised in the French part of Canada, about an hour north of Montréal, Québec. I grew up on the foothills of a ski mountain and luckily was born before the era of smartphones, which allowed us...
Read NowPassenger Pigeons – a Shocking Extinction
What happened to the passenger pigeon? Numbering up to 5 billion individuals, it was once the most abundant bird in North America — and possibly, the world. For about 15,000 years, passenger pigeons coexisted with Native Americans in the forests that once...
Read NowThe Guero Bird Club
We are Güero Bird Club. We go birding. Güero is a torta shop in Portland, OR. Our bird club formed when we realized that a cook and a bartender both loved to watch birds and that other cooks and other bartenders wanted...
Read NowAnna's Hummingbird
Despite being the most commonly-encountered hummingbird along North America's Pacific coast, Anna's is anything but ordinary. Just one glance at the dazzling green and pink hues of this bird will tell you so. As a sexually dimorphic species, Anna's hummingbirds vary in...
Read NowJason Hall – Community in Birding
Hello. My name is Jason Hall and I’ve been an avid birder for just about 20 years. For many of those years, I considered myself the “exception to the rule” as one of the only Black or Brown birders around. It wasn’t...
Read NowBaiji Dolphin: Goddess of the Yangtze
The Baiji white dolphin inhabited the Yangtze river in China not too long ago. This extinct creature’s legend is rooted in Chinese folklore. As the story goes: A beautiful young girl lived along the Yangtze river with her stepfather. This stepfather was...
Read NowLiz Clark: The Sailing Surfer
Hi, I’m Liz Clark– surfer, sailor, captain, author, nature & animal lover, and environmentalist. I grew up in Southern California and now live in Tahiti, French Polynesia. Can you tell us a bit about your passions beyond “work”? I’m lucky to say...
Read NowThe Western Sandpiper
The western sandpiper is a small little shorebird that you can spot along the coasts of North America. Individually, they are modest in size — however, a western sandpiper flock is not easy to overlook. These communities can grow to a collective...
Read NowKyle Ramsey: Dad by Nature
What does being a dad mean to you? It’s the greatest reward I could have ever been given. I get so excited when I watch him learning as he listens to me talk about what I see on our hikes. Just the...
Read NowThe Quagga
What’s the biggest difference between a quagga and a zebra? Their rear ends! You’ll notice that while a zebra’s stripes extend from head to tail, the quagga’s stripes seem to fade mid-way. There are a few theories for this evolutionary adaptation, but...
Read NowHonoring Black Birders Week
The next 7 days hold great significance for birdwatchers and people across the globe as Black Birders Week is observed. In this newsletter, we’re diving into the background and significance of Black Birders Week, highlighting a few Black Birders and Naturalists that...
Read NowAlex Troutman: Going With the Flow
What’s Up, Y’all? I’m Alex Troutman, aka N8ture_AL; I’m a Black Wildlife Biologist and Environmental Educator from Austell, GA. I love that my job is in a field that I am passionate about. My job allows me to travel and also gives...
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