We have gotten so many new likes these past couple of weeks, I thought it was time again for a little intro. We hope you enjoy reading about our great staff of naturalists! We could not do this without them! Erik and Vesna Plakanis started this journey 18 years ago as a passionate desire to do something positive for their little corner of the world. They began the journey training as Naturalists through the amazing Mark Warren of Medicine Bow. From there, they took their love of hiking and backpacking and turned it into a business. They are both experts in the Medicinal and Edible uses of wild plants, fungi, tracking, and basic survival skills. In 2012, Erik received the prestigious Top Guide award from REI, the only guide to received that award in the Eastern US. They are both certified in CPR and Wilderness First Responders. Since 1998 they have taken over 61,000 people into the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today, A Walk in the Woods has a staff of 6 full time/year round and 3 part time amazing naturalist guides. Aside from Erik and Vesna, the staff consists of, Samantha Suttles, Charles Savidge, Jaimie and Mike Matzko, Susan Ehrenclou, Bob Miller and the newest addition, Billy Jones. Samantha received her Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Tennessee. Following that pursuit, she interned with the National Park and worked as an interpretive ranger while she completed a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Her two research projects for that degree centered on the Elkmont Section of Great Smoky Mountains. Samantha has been with us almost 4 years. Samantha is certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid. Charles started his career with A Walk in the Woods in 2010. His past experience includes president of the Venture crew 007, with whom he helped lead monthly trips around the Midwest. Charles is a graduated of the National Outdoor Leadership School Outdoor Educator program. He is an expert in the plants and animals of the Smokies as well as the rich history of the Park. He is certified in CPR and as a Wilderness First Responder. Prior to working with us, Mike and Jaimie were both educators in the Tremont Institute for 5 years. They have been members of our staff for the past three. They are both is certified in CPR and as a Wilderness First Responders. Jaimie recently received her degree from UT in Environmental studies and also has a degree in Natural and Cultural Interpretation from Hocking College as well as certifications in Backpacking and Survivor Skills and Advanced Survival Techniques. Mikes background prior to coming to the Smokies includes a degree in Recreation and Wildlife from Hocking College, was an Outdoor Instructor leading adventure based activities, such as rock climbing, caving and mountain biking at Linsly Outdoor Center. Susan received her degree in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College in Vermont, taught and studied in Ecuador, and spent each summer working for the National Park Service or leading backcountry youth trail crews with the Student Conservation Association. Prior to working for us, Susan worked bringing science to the public at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She is certified in CPR and as a Wilderness First Responder. Bob Miller earned a B.S. in Biology from Michigan State University with a Secondary Ed. Minor. He is recent retiree from a long and diverse career with the National Park Service, including serving as the Public Affairs Officer on the Superintendent’s staff at Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 22 years. During his tenure at the Smokies Bob was the widely recognized “Voice of the Smokies”, providing information 24/7 on the Park’s natural and historic resources, visitor activities, and a wide range of management issues and activities ranging from bear management to road construction planning. Billy Jones,completed a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2006. After that five month hike backpacking was in his blood for good. Five years later, in 2011, Billy joined the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as a seasonal Ridgerunner in New Jersey and in 2012, Billy became the long season Ridgerunner right here in the Smokies patrolling the AT from March through October for the last two years. Billy strives to keep the Park’s resources in pristine condition for all to enjoy. He is certified in CPR, Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace ethics.
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:13:39 +0000