Hi, I'm Sharon. I have had a passion for all things wild since I was a child growing up in a small town in western New York State. Being outside surrounded by nature is what makes my heart sing and my soul joyful. I was a Naturalist long before I had any idea what that meant. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Education from the State University of New York at New Paltz, in the beautiful Catskill Mountains Region of Eastern New York. Some years later I thru-hiked the 2,175 mile long Appalachian Trail, an adventure that would change the course of my life because afterwards I packed up my belongings and drove south to make the mountains of western North Carolina my home, despite knowing no one here. It was a great decision! Now it's where I call home.

I spend my time exploring nature with my camera and my feet, always wanting to share my knowledge and experiences with others so that they too may come to know the joy that the natural world can bring to one's life. I strive to spark interst in the natural world and bring an awareness to all I meet about the amazing diversity of plants and animals that are perfectly suited to their habitats. Animals fascinate me and I love watching other people's eyes light up when they witness an awe-inspiring event like the magic of the blue ghost fireflies.

My mission is to connect people to the natural world.

As someone once said, "the opposite of love is not hatred, but indifference." Whether through teaching, writing, photography or whatever, I aim to inspire in my audiences, no matter the age, a sense of wonder for the amazing world in which we live. I believe people should know their outdoor neighbors and I strive to encourage their interest and spark their curiosity in the natural world for only through understanding comes appreciation. I want to show people the impact of their actions and encourage them to become stewards of ALL things wild–not just the cute, cuddly and beautiful animals, but the hairy, scary, scaly, slimly, furry, feathery, giant, tiny and odd ones too. I believe every animal and plant deserves respect regardless of its place in the food web.

I hope you sign up for my tour. I'm sure you won't be disappointed, and I very much look forward to meeting you.