Samantha Strauss

Born and raised in Michigan, Sam spent her childhood dreaming of the mountains and rivers of the American West. This dream became a reality when Sam left home to study at the University of San Diego. She majored in international relations with a focus on environmental policy and minored in leadership studies. She soon began teaching wilderness skills (i.e., how to avoid bears by singing loudly…and badly) and leading outdoor adventures throughout the American Southwest, Alaska and Canada. In 2018, Sam moved to Jackson Hole to spend winters guiding wolf-watching trips and science-focused expeditions throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She splits her summers between Alaska, Wyoming and Montana. In 2023, Sam joined Natural Habitat Adventures as an Expedition Leader in Alaska and U.S. national parks. She feels she is living her childhood self's wildest dreams.

For Sam, guiding is a very personal endeavor. It is a chance to connect with people of different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. It is building kinship over mutual awe of Earth. And it is sharing each other's passion for adventure. As a science communicator, Sam feels her work with Nat Hab is purpose-driven. By deepening her understanding of a place, she feels a greater sense of responsibility to the land's inhabitants, its beauty and its future. As an Expedition Leader, she wakes up every day intending to help others deepen their relationship with the land around them through experiential learning.

When Sam isn't out trying to find her favorite animal (otters), she enjoys writing and exploring nearby rivers and trails in Jackson Hole. Sam is passionate about wilderness medicine and volunteers as a Firefighter and EMT in her community.

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