| We know your experience is defined by the knowledge and enthusiasm of your
guide. Bring your curiosity! Wilderness Southeast guides are carefully
chosen to give you a memorable experience. |
"The guide was knowledgeable and considerate. She went out of her way to help and
accommodate us."
S.S., Drums, PA |
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John “Crawfish” Crawford
“Crawfish” is an avid outdoorsman and Savannah native, who has made a lifetime study of wild places and their inhabitants. He has been researcher,
teacher, expedition leader, naturalist, and environmental consultant for several organizations. He is currently University of Georgia faculty at the
UGA Marine Extension Center & Aquarium and is a USCG licensed Master Captain.
One of the three founders of Wilderness Southeast, “Crawfish” shares his
vast wealth of natural history with infectious enthusiasm.
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Joyce Murlless
With a wealth of experience in natural history observation and discoveries,
and both a bachelors and masters degree in education, Joyce delights in exploding current myths about our native plants and animals, and in
explaining the less obvious connections between our lives and the natural world. Joyce is one of the founders of Wilderness Southeast, is currently our
Executive Director. Her knowledge of plants, animals, and ecosystems is easily and patiently shared.
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Cathy Sakas
Cathy is an expert at helping people understand and appreciate the creatures
of the southeast’s swamps, marshes, islands, coral reefs, and oceans. Cathy
has a B.S. in biology, and M.Ed. in science education. Cathy was host and
author of the “Coastal Naturalist” TV series produced by Georgia Public
Television. She is currently education coordinator for NOAA’s Gray’s Reef
National Marine Sanctuary.
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Diana Churchill
Diana is an expert birder who knows how to make birding accessible and fun
for all. She can help you find a “lifer”, or teach a fourth grade class to
use binoculars successfully. Born and raised in Savannah, Diana came early to
a deep appreciation of the tidal creeks and marshes of coastal Georgia. She
currently writes the “Birder’s Eye View” column for the Savannah Morning
News, and is Administrative Assistant for Wilderness Southeast.
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Bobby Moulis
Bobby’s tales of turtles, snakes and alligators will captivate you and help
dispel the bad press that has plagued reptiles through the years. Bobby has
co-authored three books on the reptiles and amphibians of Georgia, and was
active in sea turtle research for 20 years. Bobby is also very knowledgeable
about the plants of this area, and a wonderful and patient teacher of everything natural.
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Mick Danielson
An area native, Mick long ago developed an affinity for the rich salt marshes, floodplains and river swamps surrounding Savannah. His broad knowledge of our flora, fauna, history and culture increased further in his nine years as State Park Ranger. At the 1700-acre Fort McAllister State Park from 1996-2002, Mick developed that park's canoe trail and primitive camping sites. His American Canoeing Association leader certification further qualitifes Mick to lead blackwater creek paddling and our scheduled Salt Marsh by Land & Sea program. When not out paddling through wetlands, Mick is earning his teaching certification in Special Education.
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Dave Chafin
Having officially retired, Dave’s current business card reads; “Have Kayak
-- Will Paddle.” Dave likes to take time to appreciate nature’s surprises
waiting ‘round the bend, and he excels in finding elusive reptiles. He volunteers for the Ogeechee Audubon
Society, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Society. He will will lead you to
delightful discoveries while paddling the mysterious blackwater rivers of coastal Georgia.
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Devane “Dee” Hope
Dee is an expert in the plant life of the coastal plain and its role in our
history. His knowledge has been honed during extensive travels through the
Carolinas and Georgia, probing deep into forests, swamps, savannas, and marshes, with a deep interest in the history as well as the flora and fauna.
He has served as education coordinator at the Georgia southern Botanical Garden, and currently holds tour guide certification in Savannah’s Historic
District.
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Laura Lawton
Savannah area astronomer Laura Lawton has a gift for explaining astronomy in
an understandable way. Laura holds a B.S. in physics and an M. Ed. in Science, and currently teaches high school in
Savannah. Laura can spin tales about black holes and the Big Bang theory along with Greek or Native American
mythology and will show you the stars and planets using her 8-inch reflector
telescope.
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Lydia Thompson
A walk with Lydia will help you see birds with the detail-conscious eye of an
artist. Lydia uses her B.A. in art to create etchings of native species, which, in turn, kindle interest in birds and their habitats. In 1983 she
logged 38,000 miles, listing 555 species of birds. Intrigued by the variety
of birds and their unique habitats, Lydia has learned the native communities
of our beautiful barrier islands through her avian observations, and also leads our programs on Cumberland Island.
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Charles Belin
His expertise is salt marsh and wetland ecology. From his easygoing manner,
it’s hard to guess Charlie’s advanced degrees; an M.S. in biological oceanography and a Ph.D. in biological sciences. After retiring from his
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers career in wetlands biology, Charlie is now assistant professor of Biology at Armstrong Atlantic State
University in Savannah.
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Peter Brodhead
Peter is never so excited as when finding an herb or mushroom that can be used to support someone’s health. A certified nutritionist, working on a
degree in homeopathy, Peter is the owner of a natural foods store in Savannah. A walk with Peter will open your eyes to the amazing gifts that are
available from the plants all around us on the Georgia coast.
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Karen Grainey
Karen has worked tirelessly to keep Georgia's beaches, marshes, and waterways clean, both of trash and less visible pollution. An active volunteer with both the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program and Clean Coast, she served as President of the latter for 3 years. With her husband Philip, Karen received a statewide Environmental Education Award for Extraordinary Volunteer Watershed Effort in 2002. Also that year she completed the Georgia Master Naturalist program. Her enthusiasm and passion to explore are contagious, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge of and concern for our unique coastal habitats.
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Theresa Wexel
Another Savannah native, Theresa has become a specialist in exploring our gorgeous blackwater creeks and rivers. She is a sought-after leader for local
club canoeing trips. Navigating rivers and coastal waters, map reading, and
the general ecology of the area are some of her favorite skills to share with
friends and visitors. When not sharing understandings of river swamps and marshes, Theresa works at her consulting practice as a civil engineer, and
teaches yoga.
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Mike Robinson
Mike is a fascinating and knowledgeable interpreter, and an experienced and certified kayak instructor. Savannah-born, the islands and marshes formed Mike's youthful playground. Human interactions with coastal processes and the biogeography of barrier islands became his adult fascination. Mike spent several years as professional naturalist for Little St. Simons Island, and is currently studying geography and researching salt marsh vegetation. He leads our Salt Marsh by Land & Sea programs. |
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David Moulder
David Moulder, a graduate of Mississippi State University with a M.S degree in Vocational Ed., is a retired Vocational teacher from Mississippi. A timber consultant for over 25 years, David is currently employed by the University of Georgia Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He originated, and operates, Georgia's Master Naturalist Class. He is a Master Tree Farmer, Master Wildlifer, and Certified Arborist. He describes himself as a "wanna be birder" and plant enthusiast, but his enthusiasm is evident in everything he does. |
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