Yellowstone Wolf Tracker

At the core of our operation are the two founders and general manager: Owner Nathan Varley grew up in Yellowstone Park as the son of park rangers. He has dedicated his life to being both a student and teacher of the Yellowstone ecosystem. Earning an M.S. from Montana State University, he studied the mountain goats colonizing Yellowstone. Studying the wolf and elk predator-prey dynamic, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. As a professional guide, he specializes in the natural and cultural history of the park, wildlife observation, and wilderness travel. His defining purpose is to champion a land ethic that places the highest value on wildlife and habitat, and in so doing, forever protect the places that have provided his inspiration. Owner Linda Thurston has worked with wolves in the Rocky Mountains for much of her career as a wildlife biologist. She earned an M.S. degree from Texas A&M studying the ecology of Yellowstone wolf den attendance. In addition to wolf and bison studies in Yellowstone Park, she worked on wolves for Idaho Fish and Game in the Clearwater River region, and for the University of Alberta in Banff National Park. For Defenders of Wildlife, she solved chronic wolf depredation problems associated with domestic livestock using proactive prevention measures. She guides hundreds of people to see wolves and other wildlife in Yellowstone each year sharing her extensive experience and knowledge of wildlife behavior. General Manager Michael "Coach" Leach is the straw that stirs the drink of the operation. He has worked for YWT as a guide and GM, as well as, worked in the park since 2001 as a naturalist and bear education ranger. With three generations of Wyoming blood, his roots run deep in the region. He earned an Environmental Studies degree from the University of Montana. Michael has served on the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Citizens Advisory Committee and was the founder and director of Yellowstone Country Guardians, a group dedicated to inspiring conservation leadership in local youth. He has since published numerous natural history articles and authored three books including Grizzlies On My Mind, a Yellowstone memoir. Michael is an inspirer of people, a passionate father, activist and guide, who is always eager to connect guests to the power and wonder of Yellowstone. Nathan Varley and Linda Thurston