Naturalists
Naturalists
More than just nature guides, our naturalists are engaging storytellers, each with their own rich experiences and fascinating tales from the field. They are as different as their specialties—which range from geology to zoology—and their knowledge about the natural world runs wide and deep. And while they are schooled in science, they have a knack for describing species and natural phenomena in relatable ways, whether explaining the behavior of a brown bear to an elementary school student or describing the physics of glacier formation to a Ph.D. holder. They know their destination inside and out and, often, they call it home.
Our naturalists are also inspiring travel companions who participate fully in the expedition, leading excursions and also joining guests at meals or in the lounge over drinks. Each team is made of naturalists with a range of specialties, so you can set out with a botanist on a morning hike and then take an afternoon Zodiac ride with a marine biologist. Or if a naturalist shares a particular passion of yours—say birding or geology—you can choose to join the excursions they lead. Our guests have been known to book another trip just to travel with a particular naturalist again.
More than just nature guides, our naturalists are engaging storytellers, each with their own rich experiences and fascinating tales from the field. They are as different as their specialties—which range from geology to zoology—and their knowledge about the natural world runs wide and deep. And while they are schooled in science, they have a knack for describing species and natural phenomena in relatable ways, whether explaining the behavior of a brown bear to an elementary school student or describing the physics of glacier formation to a Ph.D. holder. They know their destination inside and out and, often, they call it home....
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Meet our Naturalists
Naturalist
Daniel Baldwin
An educator at heart, Dan finds great joy in helping others explore and connect with the world around them. He has taught marine sciences in the Florida Keys and on Catalina Island, science and math in international schools in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the South Pacific, and swimming and water safety in Alaska. Dan grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Penn State where he earned a degree in science education. He has always sought out fulfilling work, in beautiful locations, surrounded by wonderful people. Connection with the environment has been a constant theme in his work and travels. At present, Dan has returned to his roots in Central Pennsylvania where he and his wife have settled and spend their time in the great outdoors. While on board with Lindblad-National Geographic he can be found engaging folks in the natural world; and is always on the lookout to provide enlightenment for naysayers of the green flash.
Naturalist
Timothy Martin
Tim Martin has been teaching Geology, Astronomy, Art and Earth Science for over 20 years. Although he grew up in several locations around the United States, he always felt most at home in the natural world. His persistent curiosity led to his undergraduate study of the natural sciences and art, and his love of teaching led to graduate work in Geoscience Education. Beyond classroom study, he has worked with an international Climate and Geologic research expedition in Siberia, he and colleagues flew an experiment on NASA’s zero-gravity research plane, studied volcanoes in Hawaii, and in 2016 Tim was selected as a National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions Grosvenor Teacher fellow. Tim has taught Art in addition to the science classes. Helping students explore their creative side through photography along with learning the technical aspects of working with and firing clay has been a wonderful extension to his scientific and aesthetic pursuits. In his free time, Tim is an active artist, and he enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities with his family. Frequently on weekends you may find him “up close and personal” with Earth Science while hiking and rock climbing.
Naturalist
Eva Westerholm
Eva is an animal loving outdoor enthusiast who has guided in the polar regions and many of the countries in between for over 15 years. She grew up on the west coast of Sweden and travelled extensively with her family throughout Europe. Eva credits this early exposure to new cultures as an inspiration to keep exploring and has not slowed down since. Looking for an adventure of her own, she took a job as mess girl on a small vessel in the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard under the midnight sun. Eva fell in love with the sea and has not stopped sailing since and now has worked nearly every role possible on expedition ships. Not only is Eva an avid birder and a keen naturalist, but she is also very interested in human history and the stories people and places tell. Wanting to learn more she studied at the University of Gothenburg and University of Sydney Australia where she has earned a degree in Social Anthropology. Eva loves sharing her knowledge and experiences, but she values what she learns from her fellow travelers, guests, and colleagues, even more. Currently Eva lives in the beautiful San Juan mountains of Colorado where she enjoys skiing, hiking, and biking. Her work and travelling lifestyle do not allow for a pet at home, so the closest thing to it is a sourdough starter that she has managed to keep alive for over 8 years.
Naturalist
Santiago Imberti
An ornithologist, photographer, fisherman, climber, and writer, Santiago Imberti was born and raised in southern Patagonia, Argentina. He obtained a degree in tourism and later in ornithology, which allowed him to combine his love for nature and the outdoors with his work as a birdwatcher, naturalist, fly fishing, and mountain guide. He has been guiding trips in Patagonia, the Antarctic, and Arctic for some 25 years. However, his main passion is conservation and research therefore off the ships Santiago does field work on birds, mostly in southern Patagonia and is the President of Asociación Ambiente Sur; an NGO that seeks to protect the environment and educate the new generations on a sustainable way of life in southern Patagonia. From 2009 to 2014 he has coordinated the project to save the now critically endangered Hooded Grebe, which is an endemic bird in Patagonia; and the creation of Patagonia National Park, a massive protected area that aims to save the grebe and some of the least know habitats in South America. His many articles and stories have been published in scientific journals, popular travel magazines, books, and since his singing abilities are rather poor, he has produced a couple CDs of the beautiful bird sounds of South America, Patagonia, and Antarctica. He lives in Punta Arenas, southern Patagonia, Chile, with his wife and son.
Naturalist
Giovanni Cappelli
Gio, a seasoned naturalist with an unyielding passion for the great outdoors, has built his life around a profound connection to nature. Raised in upstate New York, his formative years were marked by an innate fascination with the natural world, a curiosity that would shape his career and adventures. Upon graduating from the State University of New York, Gio's journey took him to the rugged landscapes of northern Maine, where he served as a hunting guide in the pristine Allagash wilderness. This early exposure ignited his commitment to conservation biology, prompting him to further his education in fisheries science. For 15 years, Gio dedicated his expertise to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, working tirelessly as a biologist across diverse ecosystems, from the Green Mountain National Forest of Vermont to the depths of the Grand Canyon. Not content with confining his passion to the terrestrial realm, Gio, an avid free diver and spearfisherman, has delved into the mysteries of marine ecosystems. His pursuits have taken him across the globe, from competing in the US Spearfishing Nationals to spearfishing expeditions in Thailand, Mexico, and Hawaii. Gio holds two spearfishing records in Arizona, a testament to his mastery of the underwater world. In 2020, fueled by an insatiable wanderlust, Gio bid farewell to his role at the Fish and Wildlife Service. Opting for a life under sail, he and his wife embarked on a remarkable journey to explore and spearfish the world's oceans. With over 10,000 offshore sailing miles under his keel, Gio continues to merge his love for adventure with a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship.
Naturalist
Gaby Bohorquez
Gaby was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Her first job in the Galapagos was on board a 90-passenger cruise ship as the cruise director’s assistant, and she fell under the spell of the Enchanted Isles. She returned to Guayaquil to study at the Espiritu Santo Technological University to obtain a degree in Tourism Management. Her fascination for the islands was still strong so, after finishing her studies, Gaby took the opportunity to join the Naturalist Guide’s course, jointly organized by the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station. That was back in 1992, and she has been a naturalist since, keeping her deep love and passion for the islands during all these years. In recent years Gaby was closely involved in the logistics and organization of a two-year conservation program, which brought international teams of volunteers to help in the eradication of aggressive introduced plants –a serious threat to local ecosystems- in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The program was coordinated with the Charles Darwin Research Station under the seal of approval of the Galapagos National Park Service. Gaby is a certified National Geographic Field Educator, and she combines her work as a naturalist with motherhood, teaching her children Emily and Danny to know and care about their very unique birthplace. Gaby and her family moved to the United Kingdom a few years ago, and with the kids now reaching university education, she commutes back to her beloved islands several times a year. Being based in the UK makes it easy for Gaby to practice the languages she is fluent in: English, Spanish, French and German. In her time off, Gaby is a self-taught artist, and she is always seeking to learn new arts and crafts techniques, her favorites currently being paper crafts and watercolor media.
Naturalist
Dennis Ballesteros
Dennis was raised in the extraordinary landscape of the Galápagos Islands. As the son of a science teacher, his passion for science, ecology, natural history, and conservation was ignited at an early age. Since 2009, he has dedicated himself to sharing the unique wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site. As a Galápagos naturalist guide and avid wildlife photographer, Dennis combines his deep knowledge with an artistic eye, capturing the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Inspired by his upbringing in this ecological paradise and his role as a naturalist, he continually seeks new ways to expand his understanding and expertise. In addition to his professional pursuits, Dennis has a deep appreciation for Charles Darwin's contributions to science, often reflecting on his theories during fieldwork. His personal interests include stargazing, birdwatching, and snorkeling, which complement his expertise and enhance his understanding of the natural world.
Naturalist
Kimberly Baldwin
Family vacations to the Jersey shore engendered a deep love affair between the ocean and Kimberly Baldwin. But growing up in Pennsylvania proved challenging for a hopeful marine biologist. College afforded the opportunity to earn a B.S. in Marine Biology, work for a marine consortium in Virginia, and marine institutes in the Florida Keys and Catalina Island, California. This was followed by a master’s degree in education while stationed in Mallorca, Spain. Other employment was equally colorful. Early on, Kimberly worked for a summer in Denali National Park washing buses and backpacking 3 nights a week in the tundra and forests. She guided guests on bird and whale trips in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and taught fourth graders in American Samoa. For the past 15 years Kimberly instructed science courses at a private high school in Costa Rica; teaching: A.P. environmental science, physics, chemistry and leading marine biology students on worm digs, conchology studies, tidal pool explorations and snorkel trips. There are a few more marine biology students in college these days thanks to her classes. She is now with you and ready to share her knowledge of the briny environment. Kimberly believes that a person only wants to protect what they care about and can only care about something if they understand it. This has been her philosophy for the hundreds of people she has had the pleasure and honor to guide or teach over the years. Kim is married to Lindblad National Geographic Naturalist Daniel Baldwin, they currently call Huntingdon, Pennsylvania home.
Naturalist
Felipe Wittmer
Felipe’s connection with the Galapagos Archipelago dates back to his great grandparents, who came to the islands in the 1930s. The Wittmer family moved to the island of Floreana and were one of the first families to settle in the Galapagos. Felipe’s grandfather, Rolf Wittmer, was the first registered birth in the archipelago and was also a pioneer in the Ecuadorian tourism industry. Felipe is the part of the third generation of Wittmers in Galapagos and was born on the island of Santa Cruz. He was raised surrounded by nature and as such developed a deep passion and appreciation for wildlife, which is why he chose to study Biology. He moved to the mainland for his further education and did his bachelor’s degree at the prestigious Universidad San Francisco de Quito. His thesis focused on the genetics of the red spiny lobster in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. This information is vital for the design of a network of marine protected areas. Felipe enjoys traveling to get to know other cultures and geographies, in particular island countries and protected areas. He feels that this helps him contrast and compare other realities in other archipelagos and National Parks of the world. He particularly likes to combine this with his favorite sport, surf, which is a popular hobby in the Galapagos communities and a great platform from which to educate people about the ocean. In 2017 he got the opportunity to train with the Galapagos National Park Directorate and become a Galapagos Naturalist Guide, which was a lifelong dream for him due to his family business. The job has allowed him to meet people from all over the world as well as to help with the protection and management of the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve.
Naturalist
Natalie Long
With a passion for creating positive change, Natalie's newfound focus is on how science can be reflected in governance and policy to enhance the restoration and protection of nature and wildlife. Born on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, Natalie grew up exploring the extraordinary Australian environment. Natalie's admiration for nature and wildlife evolved while she travelled across seven continents photographing and filming wildlife. During her travels, she spent time assisting wildlife rehabilitation projects with pandas, sloths, Asian elephants, African penguins, capuchin monkeys and a range of birds. Between her travels, she obtained her first degree in Environmental Law and Environmental science. Since then, Natalie has worked in communications roles with conservation organizations Orangutan Alliance and WWF-Australia with a focus on the restoration and protection of habitats and endangered species in Indonesia and Australia. In 2021, Natalie moved to Tasmania, Australia where she completed a master's degree in Marine and Antarctic Science. During her masters, she researched the future of Adalie penguins under climate change and how the management approach in Antarctica impacts the penguins' future. Natalie continues to explore the world, finding opportunities to spread happiness and curiosity through special moments that connect people and nature.
Naturalist
Kevin Coffey
Kevin Coffey grew up at the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. He studied at UCLA, earning a B.S. in Geology and Biology, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology. He did field research throughout the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, bushwhacking in search of rock exposures, and his studies also took him across much of western North America and beyond. His research focused on mapping geologic patterns to better understand the geographic and tectonic histories of these regions. He is now an award-winning instructor at UCLA, where he specializes in teaching field geology and regularly leads a variety of field trips. An avid outdoorsman and nature-lover, Kevin also explores the word’s geology in his free time: he has road-tripped to national parks across the U.S.A., backpacked the John Muir Trail of the High Sierras and bogs and coastlines of Ireland, sailed into Alaskan fjords, kayaked Catalina’s coves and Cape Cod’s estuaries, scrambled over ancient lava flows from Iceland to Hawai’i, and stood beside Dover’s White Cliffs and China’s crater lake Tianchi. He has trekked down to the riverbanks in canyons from Waimea to the Grand Canyon, and to summits from Mount Whitney to the shifting peaks of the Mojave’s sand dune fields. Back home, he tends a native-plant garden with his father and is involved with the local land conservancy.
Naturalist
Kylee Walterman
Kylee Walterman grew up in central California where she was in close proximity to the ocean, mountains, deserts, valleys, and national forests; this is where she found a passion for the natural world. She attained a Marine Science degree with a biology minor from CSU Monterey Bay and during that time, developed her love of outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, diving, sailing, and photography. Kylee has done internships working in close contact with big cat species and in local rehabilitation centers, where she fell in love with birds of prey. Most recently she has been a naturalist and captain out of Monterey Bay running whale watching excursions where she’s conducted field interpretation during some incredible wildlife activity including orca predation events and mass migrations. She also has spent time traveling the PNW, B.C, Alaska, the Channel Islands and has studied in South Africa. Kylee has taken up an interest in connecting people to beautiful experiences and igniting the spirit of conservation. She takes every trip as a true adventure and believes the best part of an expedition is the unknown.
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