Justin Wexler
A life-long resident of the Hudson Valley, Justin has devoted his life to sharing his love for the natural world and for the region's original inhabitants. Obsessed with nature from his earliest years, he has spent most of his life either in the outdoors or in his research on local history and ethnoecology. He has studied regional Algonquian languages, history and folklore for over two decades, sharing discoveries with scholars and with tribal language departments. He has a BA in History and Anthropology from Marlboro College in Marlboro, VT; a Professional Certificate in Environmental Policy from Bard College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College.
Anna Plattner
Anna Plattner grew up in the Hudson Valley, spending much of her time in the Catskill Creek watershed, where she fell in love with her natural surroundings. She obtained a BS Cum Laude in Natural Resources at Cornell University, and gained experience working at the Greene County Cooperative Extension and Agroforestry Resource Center and at numerous local farms. She soon became the general manager of the largest wild-simulated ginseng farm in the world. Anna leads walks and workshops focusing on ginseng and agroforestry, and co-leads walks and workshops with Justin on an array of topics. She has a wealth of knowledge in local ecology and forest farming practices and a friendly, infectious enthusiasm that will persuade anyone to fall in love with our environment.