About Yellowstone Wild

After earning a degree in Wildlife Biology from Illinois State University, Matt’s early career took him to the mountains of Colorado, where he worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife restoring native cutthroat trout to high-elevation lakes across the state. From there he headed west with time in Oregon before traveling north to Alaska, where he served as a project crew leader on Kodiak Island studying sockeye salmon and collecting data on one of the most remarkable life cycles in the natural world.

In 2018, Matt made his way to Yellowstone. Since then, he has shared the park’s wonders with visitors from around the world. Over the years he has hiked and skied thousands of miles across Yellowstone’s valleys, forests, and snowy plateaus, exploring the landscape in every season. For Matt, Yellowstone is the ultimate classroom. Between the diverse wildlife and the park’s extraordinary geothermal features, there is always something new to discover.

Today, Matt is a year-round guide with Yellowstone Wild, leading a wide range of adventures including wolf tracking, wildlife safaris, cross-country ski tours, and family explorations. Whether guiding a single-day outing or a multi-day expedition, he brings deep field knowledge, curiosity, and enthusiasm to every experience.

Matt is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Laura first came to Yellowstone from the Chicago area on a whim in 2005, taking a summer job at Old Faithful before heading off to college. After earning a degree in Sociology, getting married, and spending over a decade exploring the West, Yellowstone’s sulfurous-arm beckoned her back.

While reconnecting with the park’s wild landscapes, Laura turned her passion for the natural world into a career in naturalist guiding. Nearly a decade later, she continues to love sharing her knowledge of wildlife and geology, often imagining how the park has transformed over millions of years. She especially enjoys helping guests discover the smaller, often overlooked details that make Yellowstone such a captivating and dynamic ecosystem.

Laura has been guiding with Yellowstone Wild since the spring of 2022 and continues to find new ways to deepen her understanding of the natural world. In her free time, she enjoys tracking small, elusive animals and venturing into quiet, less-traveled corners of the landscape.

Laura is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and Avalanche Safety.

Growing up on the outskirts of Syracuse, New York, Aleksa was always enthralled by nature and wildlife. This love was nurtured by her grandparents, who would take her camping in the Adirondacks every summer. After leaving the nest, the call of the outdoors continued to pull on her psyche, and she knew she had to dive in headfirst.

With a degree in Wildlife Science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry under her belt, she studied small mammal and vegetation abundance in the heart of the Adirondacks for several summers. In the spring of 2021, she and her mother decided to take a trip to Yellowstone, and Aleksa was sold. It was less than a year after that she said “goodbye” to the High Peaks and “hello!” to the Rocky Mountains. Aleksa now works in the park year-round, and is looking to keep it that way for quite some time. Where else in the world do you get wolves, bears, and boiling hot water shooting out of the ground all in the same place?

While she does love the larger animals of the park, insects, birds, amphibians, and all of the “little guys” have captivated Aleksa since she was a kid. You can usually find Aleksa crouched close to the ground, marveling at the creepy-crawlies that make the world go ‘round.

Aleksa is a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Erik has always had a passion for the outdoors and the natural world. Growing up in “the middle of nowhere” in upstate New York, he spent countless hours exploring the woods, sparking a lifelong fascination with wildlife and wild places.

That curiosity eventually carried him across the globe in search of nature’s most remarkable landscapes. From the rainforests of Costa Rica—where his interest in wildlife guiding first ignited—to the Galápagos Islands, where the dream truly took hold, Erik made a habit of joining wildlife tours wherever he traveled, eager to learn everything he could about the profession.

Finally, ready to join the ranks of the guides who inspired him, Erik headed to South Africa. There he trained as a field guide and spent five years leading safari tours, sharing the region’s extraordinary wildlife, landscapes, and ecosystems with travelers from around the world.

Today, Erik feels he has truly found a home in Yellowstone, where he’s discovered not just an extraordinary ecosystem, but a community of passionate colleagues he’s proud to call family. Erik is beginning his third summer as a year-round naturalist with Yellowstone Wild.

Erik is an Eagle Scout, a certified field guide through the Field Guide Association of South Africa, certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and completed the Yellowstone Guide Academy in spring 2024.

Kyle Moon grew up in Orlando, Florida, where he developed an early interest in wildlife and the natural world. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida. After graduating, Kyle worked as a field biologist across the Americas with a variety of non-governmental organizations as well as state and federal agencies, gaining hands-on experience studying and protecting wildlife in diverse ecosystems.

In 2017, Kyle moved to Montana, where he continued working as both a biologist and firefighter before finding his calling as a Naturalist Guide. Kyle is also an award-winning professional nature photographer. As a photography instructor and workshop leader, he teaches clients not only how to master their cameras but also how to practice ethical wildlife photography through what he calls “field craft,” emphasizing patience, awareness, and respect for wildlife.

When he’s not guiding or teaching, Kyle can often be found with a camera in hand exploring the quieter corners of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Kyle is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation, a Wilderness First Responder, holds an Avalanche Level 1 certification, and completed the Yellowstone Guide Academy in spring 2024.

Parker grew up in Connecticut, where he spent much of his childhood exploring the woods around his home, building forts and climbing rocks and trees. Early experiences outdoors sparked a lasting connection to nature and a sense of curiosity that would guide him west.

In his early twenties, Parker moved in search of bigger mountains and new adventures. While living in Portland, Oregon, he fell in love with the lush forests and snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Range, deepening his appreciation for wild landscapes.

That pull for wide-open spaces eventually led him to Montana, which he now calls home. His first memory of Yellowstone dates back to a Thanksgiving family trip, where he experienced two of his favorite things: eating pie and watching massive herds of bison roam the Lamar Valley. That moment in such a pristine landscape left a lasting impression and sparked a connection to the park that continues to grow. Today, he enjoys sharing that same sense of wonder with guests exploring Yellowstone.

Parker holds a BA in Communications from Western Connecticut State University, a foundation that supports his work in environmental interpretation and education.

He is a Certified Interpretive Guide, a Wilderness First Responder, a Leave No Trace educator, and a Backcountry Guide and Instructor.

Yellowstone has been a big part of Rob’s life since he was 9 years old. His first memory of Yellowstone’s wildlife was watching the famed Druid Peak wolf pack hunting in Lamar Valley back in 2002, and he was instantly hooked. Over the next two decades of family trips and seasonal jobs in the park, he racked up hundreds of miles exploring the trails of both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. In 2022, 20 years after that life-changing first wolf sighting, he finally made the permanent move to Gardiner and has been guiding full-time since then. He is passionate about sharing Yellowstone’s eminent wildlife, geology, and natural history with others.

Rob is an avid wildlife and landscape photographer with 14 years of experience behind the camera lens. He loves the challenge of capturing the raw beauty and truly wild fauna of  Yellowstone in photographic form. In addition to guiding, Rob enjoys climbing in the Tetons, backpacking throughout the GYE and beyond, and trying amazing new foods from around the globe.

Rob studied Outdoor Recreation Leadership Management at Northern Michigan University and Film & Video Production at Grand Valley State University and is a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation and a Certified Wilderness First Responder.

Check out Rob’s work on his website and Instagram  page!

Check out Evan’s work on his website, Instagram, and YouTube sites.

Melissa’s first visit to Yellowstone came as a graduate student attending the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association’s geology field camp. She truly fell in love with the park a few years later while leading her first teacher workshop there in 2005.

For the next twenty years, she returned regularly to guide biannual teacher workshops as the Manager of Teacher Education at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, helping educators connect with Yellowstone’s remarkable geology, wildlife, and ecosystems.

In 2025, Melissa and her husband relocated to Gardiner, Montana, where they take every opportunity to explore the wonders of their new home—on foot, by canoe, and through a spotting scope or camera. She is excited to partner with Yellowstone Wild to continue sharing the magic of Yellowstone with teachers, students, and visitors eager to learn about this extraordinary landscape.

Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in structural geology. She is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation, a graduate of the Lawrence Hall of Science’s BEETLES Project Leadership Institute, certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and holds a Class C Commercial Driver’s License.

She and her husband share their experiences in nature through their Roads End Naturalist blog.

Growing up in the suburbs outside Baltimore, Maryland, Mads’ first real step into the outdoors didn’t come until a two-week backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park at age 16. The experience sparked a lasting love for wild places and the landscapes of the American West. They later studied journalism and environmental science in Nashville before earning an associate’s degree in general studies.

Eager to spend more time outside, they began working seasonally with a conservation corps, volunteering as a naturalist with the Maryland Park Service, and serving on a trail crew in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Their work included maintaining trails on public lands and supporting conservation efforts such as protecting eastern hemlock populations. Along the way, they discovered a passion for helping people connect with nature through engaging interpretive programs.

Mads has completed the Yellowstone Guide Academy, an intensive week-long classroom and field course led by long-time local educators, biologists, and naturalists, and is First Aid and CPR certified. When they’re not guiding, they enjoy hiking, climbing, foraging for wild foods, and exploring new parks. They’re excited to spend the season in Yellowstone sharing its remarkable wildlife, landscapes, and stories with guests.

Originally from Alabama, Jordan grew up road-tripping to national parks with her family. On her first visit to Yellowstone as a child, she was convinced every rock in the distance was a bear—she likes to think her wildlife spotting skills have improved since then.

That early fascination grew into a lifelong love of wild places and heading west in search of them. Jordan is a three-time Montana Master Naturalist and has spent several seasons guiding in Glacier National Park. She recently earned her master’s degree from the University of Wyoming, where her studies focused on wildlife conservation. Through both her undergraduate and graduate work, she contributed to research on managing complex and often controversial endangered species, including wolves and grizzly bears, with an emphasis on balancing conservation and human-wildlife conflict.

Jordan feels especially drawn to Yellowstone’s incredible wildlife, from bison and wolves to the largest population of grizzly bears in the lower 48. She loves sharing those moments with guests and helping others experience the excitement of spotting wildlife in such a dynamic ecosystem.

When she’s not guiding, Jordan enjoys hiking and backpacking—especially when there’s a lake involved—and can often be found rafting, paddleboarding, or scanning the landscape with binoculars and a very large coffee in hand.

Jordan is First Aid/CPR certified, a Montana Master Naturalist, and has completed the Yellowstone Guide Academy.

Matthew grew up in a small town on the Upper Texas Coast, where he spent much of his childhood exploring the swamps, bayous, and coastal prairies of Southeast Texas. Early encounters with wildlife including cottonmouths and alligators, sparked a lasting love of wild places.

After graduating from college, Matthew began working as a naturalist guide in the Florida Everglades. There he led visitors from around the world into the vast wetlands to discover its hidden and often overlooked wildlife. During this time, he also assisted with efforts to remove invasive Burmese pythons, massive predators that have disrupted the Everglades’ delicate ecological balance.

Over many summers, Matthew has hiked and kayaked hundreds of miles throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and is excited to join the Yellowstone Wild team in the summer of 2026 to share his passion for this remarkable landscape.

When he’s not guiding, Matthew enjoys exploring secluded corners of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and studying the ancient civilizations of the Americas.

Matthew holds a degree in computer science from the University of Houston. He is certified in Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! principles, certified in First Aid and CPR, and has completed the Yellowstone Guide Academy.

Jesse grew up in Connecticut and earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Conservation Biology from the University of New Hampshire. During her time at UNH, she discovered a passion for sharing wildlife with others while working as an educator aboard the Cape Ann Whale Watch, where she helped guests learn about whales and the marine ecosystem while observing wildlife at sea.

After graduating in 2025, Jesse continued her work in environmental education aboard the SoundWaters Schooner in Connecticut, teaching marine biology while sailing throughout Long Island Sound. Living and working on the water deepened her appreciation for wildlife, conservation, and helping people connect with the natural world.

Working in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has long been a goal of hers, and she is inspired by the conservation work that takes place throughout the region. She is excited share Yellowstone, and its remarkable wildlife and landscapes, with guests.

Jesse has completed the Yellowstone Guide Academy, and is certified in First Aid and CPR. In her free time, she enjoys painting, hiking, and sailing.

Hannah first fell in love with nature along the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. But it wasn’t until a move from the Midwest to California to try her hand at becoming a film star that her path truly shifted. The call of the Sierra Nevada quickly drowned out the call of film, and Hannah soon discovered a new passion in backpacking and long days on the trail.

Since then, she has taken on adventures such as the John Muir Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, Annapurna Sanctuary, the Trans Catalina Trail, and many more. Along the way, wild places became less of a destination and more of a way of life.

After completing the Colorado Trail, Hannah eventually made her way to Yellowstone, where she has happily called home since 2024. These days her mornings often begin with the sound of bugling elk and regular sightings of bison, bears, and Yellowstone’s other wild residents.

Hannah is excited to share her love of the outdoors with guests and help create memorable experiences for everyone who comes to explore this remarkable landscape.

Hannah is certified in First Aid and CPR.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Tyrene first fell in love with Yellowstone during a fly-fishing trip in 1996 while pursuing a BFA in Acting in Ashland. The experience was life-changing, and in 2002 she chose to leave behind her dreams of Broadway to build a life in Yellowstone and the wild landscapes she loves.

Since 2007, Tyrene has built a career as an outdoor educator and naturalist guide, leading a wide range of experiences including wildlife and natural history tours, hiking, and fly-fishing. She is passionate about helping both new and seasoned guests develop a deeper, more personal connection to Yellowstone and inspiring advocacy for wild places.

Today, Tyrene brings that same passion into her role with Yellowstone Wild, where she is dedicated to fostering a culture rooted in respect, inclusion, professionalism, and continual learning. Through one-on-one coaching and ongoing training, she works to keep staff curiosity engaged and their passion for wilderness thriving.

When she’s not working, Tyrene can often be found on a river or exploring Yellowstone and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Each fall, she “migrates” to Eugene, Oregon, where you can find (and hear) her cheering on the U of O Ducks and helping keep Autzen Stadium the loudest in all the lands.

Tyrene is a Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer and Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation and is certified in First Aid and CPR as well as Leave No Trace principles.

Lola and Chance are not just team members, they are the heart of Yellowstone Wild.  As best friends and adventure partners, they have worked hard to develop their professional contributions to the team by remaining available at ALL times to lend a paw in all aspects of the operation. Their presence is not just felt, but deeply appreciated by all.

Lola’s dedication to her duties is unwavering. Her special skills include chasing the shop bunnies away from incoming/outgoing vehicle traffic, assisting with the removal of potential hazards such as elk/deer bones, and ensuring the Yellowstone Wild workspace remains 100% free of wayward food items. Her efforts to ensure the property is clear of all possible bear/animal attractants have been an inspiration to the entire team (she sure leads by example!). The staff remains grateful for the positive attitude and true joy she brings to her daily duties.  Additionally, she is exceptionally cute and loves to have her front paws massaged.  She’s always game for snuggles, and when staff need a hug, a laugh, or a hiking buddy, they know Lola will be there for them!

Chance’s greatest strength lies in his tireless efforts to keep the team engaged. His motto is simple: “If you have time to talk, you have time to throw!”  Chance takes this seriously as demonstrated through his commitment to pursuing any manner of flying object, including (but not limited to): frisbees (preferred), sticks (close second), balls, stuffed animals, pinecones, small rocks, 2×4’s, entire logs, twigs, bones, ropes, and much, much more. When staff is busy and unable to throw an object for Chance immediately, his continued optimism in keeping his team motivated to throw something is beyond inspirational. He knows the crew will buckle eventually and he’s ready when they do! This “keep ’em engaged” work ethic has proven invaluable for staff morale when things get tough. We can’t thank Chance enough for reminding us of the healing power of staying active, engaged, and enjoying the endless bounty of the natural world.