About Walt Anderson

Education?

Yup, I’ve got some.  I’ve had a lifelong internship with Mother Nature, which has been complemented by so-called higher education at three universities: BS With Highest Honors in Wildlife Biology (Washington State University), MS in Wildlife Biology (University of Arizona), and PhD candidacy (ABD) (University of Michigan).  If you want a complete CV (it’s very long), contact me directly, but a short summary of my work is on the Artists for Conservation tribute to me for October 2020.

I’m always learning—that’s the force that drives a naturalist.  There’s always room for making more mistakes—and learning from them.

At the same time, I love to share, so teaching is a passion and calling.  I taught many classes and mentored independent studies since coming to Prescott College in 1991.  Subjects that interest me include the following: Animal Behavior, Biogeography, Conservation Biology, Diversity of Life, Ecotourism, Evolutionary Ecology, Environmental Education, Field Biology, Flowering Plants,  Interpreting Nature through Art & Photography, Ornithology, Plant Ecology, Sociobiology, Southwest Natural History, Wetland Ecology & Management, and Wildlife Management.  That’s the short list.  In the summer of 2014, I taught Predators & Prey: Ecology & Management in the Colorado Rockies.

I love using artistic digital images and the power of words to speak to groups, and I’ve given presentations hundreds of times, from small groups up to large audiences at the California Academy of Sciences and Oakland Museum.  I’ve delivered keynote addresses at various festivals and conferences, and I make it fun for myself and the audience.  If interested in a possible presentation, please contact me at waltandersonAFC@gmail.com.

For over 35 years I have led international and domestic natural history and photography tours and workshops.  I consider myself one of the pioneers in the field of ecotourism from the US (but I still have youthful energy despite all those years of experience).  I am an expert in field identification of organisms; in teaching ecological concepts and natural history; in collaborating with foundations, NGO’s, and local groups; and in group dynamics.

Here are some of the places I’ve taught in the field: Argentina, Australia, Argentina, Antarctica, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador & Galapagos, Mexico, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Madagascar, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and California.  Client organizations include American Orient Express, Betchart Expeditions, California Academy of Sciences, Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, Cincinnati Nature Center, Connecticut Audubon, Friends of the National Zoo, Oakland Museum, Prescott College, Stanford Alumni Assoc., Smithsonian Institution, and World Wildlife Fund.

Periodically I lead in-depth trips for the public, so please let me know if you’d like to be on a mail list.  Check back here occasionally for announcements of trips or local workshops, or contact me at waltandersonAFC@gmail.com.

East Africa remains my favorite destination.  I led my first trip there in 1979, and have returned many times since then, most often to Tanzania.   Fantastic trips!  My former Master’s student, Augustine Mwangotya, did his advanced degree with me at Prescott College in Conservation Biology & Ecotourism.  I would be happy to connect you with him if you are interested in a personalized safari. https://aardvarktanzania.com/


15 thoughts on “About Walt Anderson

  1. Hi Walt,
    It was great to meet you today at Sarah’s thesis presentation at Prescott College, and I look forward to seeing you again on Sunday when Sarah graduates.
    Thanks for giving me your card and telling me about your blog. I just watched Walt and Beaver (sound like Leave it to Beaver!) — very nicely done! Your website is giving me ideas for similar projects in Colorado. See you again soon.
    Thank you for all the careful and supportive work with Sarah on her Master’s Degree. She clearly thinks very highly of you.
    All the best,
    Boyce
    Boyce A. Drummond, Ph.D.
    Visiting Associate Professor
    Department of Biology
    Colorado College
    14 East Cache la Poudre
    Colorado Springs, CO 80903

    Office: Olin Hall 464
    Phone: 719-389-6240
    Fax: 719-389-6290
    Cell: 970-690-7455

  2. Walt,

    Very impressive images. All of them reasons I really love this place!!!
    Would you be interested in presenting a 30 minute talk to our camera
    club (Yavapai Digital Arts Photo Club) sometime this summer or fall? Topic
    would be your choice.

    Gayle Lucci 928 445-5930

  3. GOOD AFTERNOON, WALT:
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRICES ON YOUR REMARKABLE IMAGES NOW ON EXHIBIT IN PRESCOTT GATEWAY MALL.
    YOURS, FRANK

  4. Greetings Walt,

    I so appreciate your animal photography (and humor). Thank you for your presentation for OLLI. Would you please put me on your email list for animal adventure trips. Also would love to see more of your photography. Any exhibits on the horizon?

    Enjoy,
    Janice Jessup

  5. Hi Walt,
    You are one of my role models. I hope to meet you along the course of my studies and adventures, as currently I am only a high school junior in Chapel Hill, NC. Prescott College has recently caught my attention, and I have a very strong passion for studying conservation biology.
    Thank you for being such an inspiration!
    Samantha Clement

    • Hi, Samantha. Thank you for your enthusiastic comment. It sounds like you would be a natural for Prescott College. Please keep in touch! Held in Nature is a lovely theme. I look forward to continuing communication. Walt

  6. Hi Walt,
    I recently picked up your 1979 book, Open Secrets. It has a real grasp of the Buddhist way, and even though it’s almost 40 years old, its observations of Buddhism in America are uncannily accurate. Is Buddhism still part of your life?
    You do a good job of “translating” Buddhist and Eastern concepts into ideas that help Westerners understand what is truly meant. As you say, just translating Tibetan words into English often doesn’t work very well.
    What a diverse life you’ve led, from religion to conservation and beyond! You should feel rightly proud that you’ve experienced much, and along the way helped others do the same.
    Thanks for a great book.
    Sunny O’Neil

    • Thank you, Logela. That means a lot to me. There is so much to do to help this world, so we have to do everything we can as individuals. I admire your work in the Amboseli area too and wish you much success and happiness.

  7. Walt,
    I was going to send a message via Facebook but thought this might be a better way to say howdy. I wanted to get in touch because I am remembering you bringing some students to Tucson and coming by the office for a relaxed talk about the Sky Island Alliance. My question is: Did you bring Craig Childs by the office at one time? I’m asking because my partner, Marth, and I have some land about 30 miles from Craig’s place in Norwood, We’re in Paradox Valley along the Dolores River, and I was hoping to say hello to him at some point. I suspect he’ll be doing some readings in the area so it’s likely we might run into each other. I may be mistaken, might well have been some other student, but tought I would ask. At any rate hope all is well with you and that you are staying safe. Great website btw. Take care,
    Rod

    • Hi, Rod. I’m not sure why I didn’t see this notice when you sent it, but here is a very belated reply. Craig was my Master’s student, and we remain very close friends, but he didn’t take any undergrad classes with me. I suspect you’ve crossed paths with Craig since then. . . . My email is waltandersonafc@gmail.com. I’m doing well. And you?

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