Harding grew up on a small horse farm in Ohio, where he spent much of his youth training horses and learning to read animal behavior. That early experience developed into a lasting interest in wildlife, field observation and the ways animals adapt to their environments.

He is currently pursuing a degree in environmental engineering at The Ohio State University, combining technical study with a strong interest in ecology and conservation.

Since 2021, Harding has guided throughout southwestern Alaska, with extensive experience in Katmai National Park and along the Cook Inlet coast. He specializes in interpreting the behavior of coastal brown bears, helping guests understand how bears communicate, forage and interact within the region’s dynamic tidal ecosystems. His work as a photographer further supports that focus, using images to document wildlife behavior and the relationship between people and wild landscapes.

Outside Alaska, Harding has continued working as a horse trainer throughout the western United States. That experience reinforced the patience, awareness and trust-building skills he brings to the field while guiding guests and teaching ethical wildlife viewing practices.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Harding is most at home outdoors—whether observing bears on the tidal flats of Chinitna Bay, discussing the ecology of coastal Alaska or helping travelers better understand the wildlife and landscapes around them.