Doug has been a naturalist interpretive guide for more than 20 years. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biology and Conservation Biology at Central Michigan University. With this background and a lifelong passion for the natural world, Doug moved from his home state of Michigan to Talkeetna, Alaska, in 1999 and never looked back.

He began his career at a remote wilderness lodge in Denali National Park and Preserve at the end of the 90-mile Denali Park Road in Kantishna, leading hikes and giving lectures on the ecology and wildlife of the region. He spent the next decade leading small-group trips to Kantishna-area lodges. He also began working as a naturalist aboard small expedition ships in 2009, and he has since traveled to farthest corners of the world, from Antarctica to the high Arctic and many points in between.

Having studied many facets of the natural world, from general ecology to animal behavior, Doug has found a strong connection to the life of birds. He believes that birds tie together so many components of our world, making them perfect teaching tools.

Doug and his wife make their home today in the quaint and at times bustling Alaskan village of Talkeetna, living in their cabin in the boreal forest, complete with a pristine salmon stream. They spend their time outdoors with their dogs on hikes, skis or bikes, enjoying the beauty of Alaska and the thriving community they live in.

Upcoming Adventures with Doug:
Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari