By the age of three, Jake was pointing out chickadees and goldfinches to passersby at local parks around Northern Virginia. Family trips to the Delaware shore and Shenandoah National Park cemented his love of birds and other wildlife. He went on to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University in Houston, Texas, where field research took him to Madagascar and Ghana. He also developed skills in bird identification, surveys, and mist-netting while studying abroad in Ecuador and Australia.
After graduating, Jake received a fellowship to conduct research in Peru, where he carried out bird surveys and produced a short film featuring one of nature’s most spectacular dancers, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. He later earned a master’s degree in Tropical Biology in Europe, taking field courses on Réunion and tracking Seychelles Black Parrot distribution and behavior for his thesis research.
Since completing his studies, Jake has worked at the intersection of conservation science and storytelling, creating media and communications for conservation organizations, research institutions, and federal agencies. From photographing bird research for the Kino Bay Center in Mexico to producing video content highlighting wildlife research and ecosystem science for the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station, he enjoys translating complex ecological research into stories that connect people with nature.
As a guide, Jake enjoys helping people connect with birds through both identification and storytelling. Whether searching for a target species or enjoying a relaxed morning walk, he combines careful trip planning, natural history knowledge, and enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with birders of all experience levels.
