Sam Wilson launched his career as a naturalist guide in the Alaska backcountry in 2017, but his immersion in nature and science education is far more extensive. An expert on bird migration and wildlife behavior, he has spent thousands of hours in the field, honing his wildlife observation skills and pursuing his passion for sharing insights into animal behavior and wildlife ecology with others.

Sam grew up in New Jersey and has a background in environmental education, having worked for New Jersey Audubon and Wildlands Conservancy. He has also been employed by or volunteered with conservation organizations including Kauai Forest Birds Recovery Project, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, Prince William Sound Science Center and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. It was a trip to Hawk Mountain in eastern Pennsylvania, in fact, where he witnessed more than 10,000 broad-winged hawks migrating over the rolling ridges of the Appalachians, which ignited his interest in raptors and the spectacular journeys of migratory birds across hemispheres. Since then, Sam has traveled to far-flung locales around the world looking for rare birds and animals. His quests have taken him up remote tributaries of the Amazon, across the mud flats of China’s Yellow Sea and through the dry forests of Cambodia. During his travels, he has nurtured his interests in writing and photography, leading to publications in several magazines. He was selected as a National Audubon Top 100 Photographer in 2018.  

Sam is currently pursuing a master's degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management with a focus on terrestrial ecology. When he isn't guiding or traveling with his wife, he spends as much time as possible with their rescue dog, Kira.