The Galapagos Islands
Expedition Leader
Doug Gualtieri, Orbridge Expedition Leader
Doug received both his B.S. and M.S. in Biology at Central Michigan University, his degrees focused on ecology, animal behavior, and conservation biology. While working on his graduate degree, Doug spent nearly 3 months of each year on a Nature Conservancy preserve observing migratory behavior and habitat use of long distance migrants in Michigan’s wild Upper Peninsula. Graduate school offered the opportunity to work as a teaching and research assistant, where he discovered the joy of leading others into the field to share different aspects of the natural world.
Alaska and all her rugged beauty beckoned Doug since childhood. In 1999 he packed up his truck and his trusty Siberian husky “Koda” and drove north to Alaska. Landing in the small town of Talkeetna he found the people and surroundings to be a perfect match. He has been working as a naturalist in Denali National Park since1999. Doug considers Kantishna and Denali National Park his summer home.
Recent opportunities to lead trips for Orbridge to South Florida's Everglades, and The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador have brought Doug to places on the globe he had always dreamed about. Being able to step in Darwin's footprints of history on the shores of the Galapagos Islands, or ply the diverse ecosystems of South Florida is a naturalists dream come true. In recent years Doug has also worked as a naturalist in both Baja, Mexico and in Southeast Alaska. Only time will tell where he'll end up next.
Doug has been proud to serve the community of Talkeetna for the past two years as a member of The Talkeetna Community Council. As well as volunteering for the community public radio staition, 88.9 FM KTNA as a show host and fundraiser. Doug's winter pastimes have included handling and training Iditarod sled dogs for Iditarod musher Melanie Gould, grooming cross country ski trails for the local highschool ski team, tying flies for trout and salmon fishing, and playing music with his friends in Talkeetna. His other interests include photography, backpacking, writing and enjoying all Alaska has to offer.
Recent opportunities to lead trips for Orbridge to South Florida's Everglades, and The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador have brought Doug to places on the globe he had always dreamed about. Being able to step in Darwin's footprints of history on the shores of the Galapagos Islands, or ply the diverse ecosystems of South Florida is a naturalists dream come true. In recent years Doug has also worked as a naturalist in both Baja, Mexico and in Southeast Alaska. Only time will tell where he'll end up next.
Doug has been proud to serve the community of Talkeetna for the past two years as a member of The Talkeetna Community Council. As well as volunteering for the community public radio staition, 88.9 FM KTNA as a show host and fundraiser. Doug's winter pastimes have included handling and training Iditarod sled dogs for Iditarod musher Melanie Gould, grooming cross country ski trails for the local highschool ski team, tying flies for trout and salmon fishing, and playing music with his friends in Talkeetna. His other interests include photography, backpacking, writing and enjoying all Alaska has to offer.