Scott grew up in the suburbs of New York City and discovered nature through the Boy Scouts. Growing up as a scout, he learned to plan and lead backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail for his friends and peers. These outdoor lessons grew into his passion, and his career. Scott’s first job was leading five-day canoe and hiking expeditions in the northern Adirondacks.

These young pursuits ultimately led him to pursue a degree in adventure education and environmental history at Green Mountain College in central Vermont. Scott's history thesis examined Vincent Schaefer and New York's Long Path, including changing priorities in recreation policy and land management during the 20th century. But his other interests include frontier history and the larger-than-life personalities who established our cultural idea of the American West as a place of unbridled freedom. After college, Scott worked for the National Outdoor Leadership School, and later as a trip leader for student programs in Australia. He is currently pursuing an MFA in creative nonfiction at Goddard College, where he writes personal essays and narrative nonfiction about the outdoors.

Scott guides our Southwest Canyons trips, and is passionate about bringing these austere landscapes to life through the lens of his dad's old Olympus OM-2n camera, as well as the natural and cultural histories inherent in each arroyo and stand of sagebrush. When he isn’t guiding folks through the desert canyons, you’ll probably find him trail running or reading a book next to an alpine lake in his home range of the Sierra Nevada.

Upcoming Adventures with Scott:
Canyons of the American Southwest
Canyons Photography in the American Southwest

Praise from Nat Hab travelers: 

T. Cleary
"Scott and Matt were both outstanding. They were energetic and passionate about the canyons, their beauty, their creation and the need to preserve them. Scott and Matt shared expert knowledge about the land and formations and deepened my understanding of the entire Southwest region. From sunrise in the Grand Canyon to sunset in Zion, they provided exactly the knowledge and experience I was looking for. This is the reason I like traveling with Nat Hab. We recommend Natural Habitat Adventures to our friends and family when discussing our life-changing experiences with you. I enjoy going with the experts who know where and when to go and are able to share their knowledge and enthusiasm of these places with me."

J. Cleary
"The inexplicable beauty of the land was amazing, but what made this trip especially wonderful was the knowledge of Matt and Scott. They were both extremely knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. They provided us with incredible information and were always concerned about our comfort. Both Matt and Scott exceeded our expectations."