Patricia Hostiuck

Patty Hostiuck has roamed the globe as a naturalist for three decades, seeking out wildlife-rich niches, investigating breathtaking landscapes, and sharing her insights with thoughtful travelers. Her academic background in biology and geography shape a perspective that spotlights the importance of place, the abiding interdependence of living things, and the critical influence of nature on human cultures.  She has served as a National Forest Ranger and National Park Ranger, worked extensively leading eco-travel and expedition trips from the tropics to both polar regions, and has led—on all 7 continents and on all 7 major oceans—over 100 Smithsonian Journeys from A to Z (literally, Antarctica to Zimbabwe). A highly praised leader with impressive field expertise, an astonishing breadth of knowledge, and an avid following, Patty’s passion to untangle nature’s secrets comes across in her engaging presentations, informal commentary, and one-on-one chats. Travelers will benefit from her encyclopedic knowledge, irresistible enthusiasm, spirit of adventure, and sense of fun.  

John Grabowska

John Grabowska is a natural history filmmaker whose award-winning films are broadcast nationally on PBS as prime time specials. He has made natural history films on Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the Alaska Peninsula and the Desert Southwest. In a 30 year career with the National Park Service he Executive Produced more than 40 films on National Parks from Yellowstone and Yosemite to Crater Lake and Cape Cod. John has lectured on natural history filmmaking at the Smithsonian Institution and The National Geographic Society, led environmental media workshops in Argentina and Panama and cofounded the American Conservation Film Festival. The Washington Post calls him "one of the virtuoso environmental filmmakers in the country.”

To read an interview with the Smithsonian about his work in Alaska: https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2013/03/exploring-alaska-qa-with-environmental-filmmaker-john-grabowska.html. 

Scott Burns

Scott Burns is a Professor Emeritus of Geology and Past-Chair of the Dept. of Geology at Portland State University where he just completed his 28th year of teaching. He was also Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at P.S.U. from 1997-1999. Scott has been teaching for 48 years, with past positions in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana. Dr. Burns specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and Quaternary geology. Scott has won many awards for outstanding teaching, the most significant being the Faculty Senate Chair Award at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Portland State Alumni Association in 2001, and the George Hoffmann Award from PSU in 2007. Based on his national leadership performance Scott was chosen to be a fellow of the Geological Society of America (2004) and a fellow with the Kellogg National Fellowship Program (1990 – 1993). He was president of the Downtown Rotary Club of Portland, Oregon’s oldest and largest Rotary club in 2009. Scott is a 6th generation Oregonian who grew up in Beaverton and is very happy to be "home" after a 25 year hiatus! He actively helps local TV, radio stations and newspapers bring important geological news to the public. Scott enjoys all sports, especially basketball, running, skiing, hiking, swimming, tennis, and golf.

Wayne Ranney

Wayne Ranney is a geologist and writer who is a veteran of expedition travel, having journeyed to and lectured on all of Earth’s seven continents. He is the recipient of the 2018 American Association of Petroleum Geologists “Geosciences in the Media Award” and has received other national and regional honors for his writing, lectures, blog postings, and expeditionary guiding. His foreign and domestic travels have taken him to South America (Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Amazon), Australia and New Zealand, the Polar regions (Antarctica, Iceland, and Greenland), and desert landscapes in Africa, Asia, the Atacama, and the American Southwest.

With a lifelong interest in the earth sciences, Wayne specializes in making the fascinating story of our planet come alive for fellow travelers. He was elected to the Explorers Club and has visited more than 85 countries. Wayne is a retired professor of geology who lives in Flagstaff, Arizona near his beloved Grand Canyon. He is passionate about sharing his vast knowledge of earth history with others in an easy-going and informal style, yet he is a well-respected author of numerous award-winning books and articles. He enjoys languages, hiking, river running, photography, conversation, and anything that allows him to get outdoors with others in seeing the varied and interesting landscapes of our beautiful planet.