Look no further. We are prepared to guide you on a memorable journey through some of the most magical and biologically diverse places on earth!
To schedule a FREE tour or for more information, please email jrobinson@naturalist-for-you.org.
Naturalist For You (NFY) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, public benefit corporation. All donations are tax-deductible.

NFY was created to connect you, the public, to the diverse natural areas in your backyard. As naturalists we possess a broad knowledge and understanding of the natural world. We are trained to observe natural processes and interpret their significance for your benefit. We are passionate about wild places and seek to share that passion with you.

We primarily conduct programs on publicly-owned land, such as the national forests, state parks, and county parks. Many of our local natural areas are vast, beautiful, and mysterious, but rarely visited by the majority of our population. We want to encourage you to explore these priceless treasures. Every positive experience we share in nature brings us closer to preserving it for future generations.

Our vision is to preserve the ecological integrity of our local natural areas through community outreach and stewardship. Our programs are meant to be entertaining and educational. We understand that the human and natural communities are connected. Therefore, tours are designed to avoid negative impacts, such as habitat destruction, wildlife injury, erosion, and various forms of pollution. In addition to preserving a high level of respect for our natural surroundings, your comfort and safety are our highest priorities.

"Oh, what a sweet child is Hannah Hyde,

Oh how thoughtful, oh, how nice,

To buy a hat with a brim so wide,

It gives shade to the frogs

And the worms and the mice."

--Sun Hat, Falling Up, Shel Silverstein




Joel Robinson is the founder, executive director, and head naturalist for Naturalist For You. He has guided thousands of curious individuals on professional wilderness tours since 2001. Many organizations and agencies have utilized his talents, including the US Forest Service, Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, The Wildlands Conservancy, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Los Padres Forest Association, Silverado Modjeska Park & Recreation District, Santa Ana Mountains Wild Heritage Project, City of Santa Ana, City of Lake Forest, and Orange County Department of Education. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation. His vision is to connect the majority of the public to our local natural areas, so their preservation is guaranteed for future generations.

Board of Directors


Dan Spurgeon lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a writer and as a hospice and palliative care physician. The work done through Naturalist For You continually inspires him to regard our environment with awe and responsibility.


Patrick Mitchell is a professional naturalist, author of the Santa Ana River Guide, expert backpacker, and loyal protector of the Santa Ana Mountains.


Matt Shook is an idealistic granola munching-vegetable eating-tree hugging-alcohol drinking-book reading-music loving-hockey playing-hemp wearing-world traveling-environmentalist. Oh yeah, and I'm friendly.


R.J. Schwichtenberg's dedication and commitment to the preservation and enjoyment of the environment is a daily mission. His employment with the City of Irvine provides landscaping maintenance for daily use and enjoyment of the city parks, and his passion for the land and all its wonders includes growing consumable fruits and vegetables, community gardening, and exploration of some of the world's extraordinary fauna and flora.


Mike Kahle is a birder, guitarist & banjo player, satirist, and treehugger.


Kirk Pickler is a Naturalist, Biologist and Educator at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. He has been active in outdoor California for most of his life. A multi-instrumentalist, gardener and simple-living advocate, He resides in North Orange County.


Bill Largent is a creatively focused, amenably bent peripatetic, with random acts of curiosity based whimsicality. Gleans nuggets of value, found in life's bountiful journey, while persuing acute passions.


From her first tadpole burial to a recent bat spotting night hike; Susan N. Roberts has had a plethora of outdoor experiences.  The vast and intriguing outdoors balances the daily demands of her research job at USC where she had been employed for 25 years.


Mike Henderson is a spontaneus outdoor adventurer, dedicated vounteer naturalist, land steward, and industrial painter.

Do you need a professional naturalist to conduct an entertaining and educational nature tour or presentation for your organization, agency, club, family, or group? Naturalist For You provides hikes, walks, stationary presentations, and even mountain bike rides in the following areas of interest:
  • Plants & Wildlife
  • Cultural History
  • Everything Tours
  • Specialty Tours
Are you curious about a particular natural area near your neighborhood, but afraid to visit on your own? Explore these areas with Naturalist For You:
  • Orange County
  • Los Angeles County
  • Kern County
  • Ventura County
  • Plus more...
Upcoming hikes/events:
  • Wednesday, March 10, 3pm - 5pm - Beginner Barefoot Walk up Silverado Canyon, Orange County, Difficulty=easy.
  • Friday, March 12, 6pm - 8pm - Nocturnal Exploration up Silverado Ridge Preserve, Orange County, Difficulty=moderate.
  • Sunday, March 14, 10am - 5pm - Slow-paced Interpretive Wet 'n' Wild Harding Canyon Falls Tour with Adam, Orange County, Difficulty=strenuous. 10 person limit.
  • Sunday, March 14, 1pm - 5pm - Wildflower Wander at Wind Wolves Preserve, Kern County, Difficulty=easy to moderate.
partners:


Naturalist For You is a 501 (c) (3) public benefit corporation. Providing extraordinary wilderness experiences for everyone.
For naturalist inquiries, contact Joel Robinson: jrobinson@naturalist-for-you.org
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