Although Hannah Hindley completed her formal education in the east (earning degrees in English and Organismic & Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University), her real education is rooted in the mountains and tidepools of the west. For the last decade, her work as a naturalist has carried her up and down the Pacific coast, from Point Reyes National Seashore to Yosemite, Glacier Bay, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks, leading backcountry trips, glacier hikes, bushwhacks, kayaking excursions, cross-country ski adventures, teacher trainings, science camps, tall ship voyages, snorkeling trips, and ice climbing.

She continues to work as a naturalist aboard small adventure vessels in Southeast Alaska. She holds a 100 Ton Master Near Coastal license and a Wilderness First Responder certification. 

Interested in a custom trip? Be in touch for personalized itinerary-planning!

WORK HISTORY

Naturalist – Northwest Navigation aboard the M/V David B. 2021

Expedition Staff – Windstar Cruises

Driving Zodiac tours at glaciers and national monuments throughout Southeast Alaska; onboard lectures and interpretive work.

Guide – Kennicott Wilderness Guides 2017-2018

Guiding backcountry trips, glacier hikes, ice climbing, and pack rafting. Interpretive work in the nation’s largest national park

Lead Expedition Guide & Licensed Expedition Leader –Un-Cruise Adventures May 2012 – Present

In-the-field guiding and interpretive presentations in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and the San Juan Islands. Instruction in Leave-no-Trace principles, kayaking, snorkeling, and other outdoor skills -off-trail route-finding with an eye toward risk management.

Naturalist – Pacific Catalyst Inc. May 2016 – September 2016

Guiding and interpretation aboard historic wooden expedition vessels in Alaska, Mexico, & Puget Sound.

Curriculum Design – High Desert Museum Spring 2016

Writer in Residence – Three-month writing residency at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, fall/winter 2015

Field Science Educator and Program Developer – NatureBridge, April 2012

Assist in opening a new environmental education campus for NatureBridge at their Prince William Forest Park Demonstration Program.

Field Science Educator – NatureBridge, January 2010 – May 2012

Lead students through multi-day, hands-on, experiential learning experiences in National Park settings (Yosemite National Park and Olympic National Park). Facilitate interactive community-building and scientific inquiry to nurture responsible environmental literacy and behavior. Manage participant safety in outdoor settings using sound judgment and applying appropriate risk management decisions.

Educator – Feiro Marine Life Center Junior Oceanographer camp, summer 2011

Design and present interactive marine science curriculum for school-aged children – collaborate with NOAA and local scientists and divers to bring oceanography to life for participants.

Educator/Deckhand, Safety Officer, Marine Science Officer – Sound Experience aboard the Schooner Adventuress, June-August 2008 & 2009

Environmental and nautical lessons; leadership and sail training.

Editorial Intern, Music Editor – Blue Ocean Institute’s Sea Stories online journal, August-May 2007-2009

Environmental Educator – Volunteer middle school teacher through CitizenSchools, fall 2008

Research Assistant – Harvard University’s Hrdy Fellow in Conservation Biology, spring 2008

Shipyard Employee – Mystic Seaport, winter and spring 2007

Naturalist Intern, Counselor – Point Reyes National Seashore Association, 2006-2007

Assist with natural history and environmental education programs and activities. Co-lead coastal backpacking trips. Support, supervise, and live in a community with co-workers and students ages 7-16.

Tour Guide – Unofficial Tours of Harvard, fall and winter 2006

Assistant Training Instructor – Junior Naturalist program at Bouverie Preserve, 1997-2004