collage of portrats

Our Story

Tom Skeele 2022

Tom’s greatest joy growing up came from running around the woods of the northeast, sailing the New England coast, and traveling to the Bahamas. At twenty, Tom solidified his love of nature and adventure while hiking the northern 400 miles of the Appalachian Trail. A life of celebrating and caring for nature was unfolding. After a degree in Recreation and Park Management with an emphasis on Outdoor Education from the University of Oregon, Tom spent his twenties as an environmental educator and wilderness guide. This included stints with Outward Bound, working in Yosemite National Park, and managing youth trail crews throughout the western states. Shifting from education to advocacy, Tom spent two decades as a nonprofit executive and Board member for conservation organizations working in the U.S. Northern Rockies and Canadian Rockies. His work focused on maintaining wildlife movement corridors and promoting coexistence between people and wildlife. On the side, Tom led small group travel tours in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. After a seven month, thirteen-country adventure around the world, Tom began working in an international context. For eight years, he has served as executive director, fundraiser, communications coordinator and consultant for multiple nonprofits and social enterprises in the areas of economic development, environmental conservation, health, renewable energy and sustainable community development. This included time as executive director of the International League of Conservation Photographers. From his home base in California’s Monterey Bay, Tom is now combining his experience in land/wildlife conservation and adventure travel tourism into a best of all worlds (a)vocation. Along with his guiding in other places in the U.S., Baja and The Bahamas, Tom is psyched to be sharing the natural world with Natural Habitats guests in Alaska.

What Our Guests Say

I really enjoyed having Tom as our trip leader. He is very personable, very knowledgeable and very flexible. He is also a skilled photographer, and he has shared some fabulous photos and videos of our trip.
J. Corbin
Tom’s leadership, expert knowledge of the natural world, sensitivity to all of our needs, warmth of personality, and joy in sighting every animal we encountered made him the best Expedition Leader we have ever had! He taught us so much and was with us every minute, sharing the experience and seemingly enjoying it as much as we did. I will always be grateful for his leadership, knowledge, resourcefulness and caring. He is stellar!
S. Bund
Tom was fab! His willingness and eagerness to capture photos and video for the group is greatly appreciated. His information-sharing style was easily understandable and never made me feel like it was over my head. His appreciation for nature and ecology is infectious. I learned a great deal about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
S. Joseph
Our Story

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

A sea lion swims near the photographer underwater in the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

A close-up of two king penguins on South Georgia Island

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Photo Expeditions

Adventure Cruises

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

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Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday

  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday

  • Closed on Sunday

Call 800-543-8917
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