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About Nature Quest, Inc. Guides

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Guides

State Park naturalists as guides, when available, with partnership with Tioga County Visitors Bureau.

In addition to Pat Maier, Merlin Benner, Audrey Fox and Brett Martin guide Nature Quest, Inc. journeys. Each guide is certified in first aid and CPR and takes a first aid kit for every journey. Each also has knowledge of local emergency resources for the specific journeys they lead.

J. Merlin Benner - Interpretive Director of Nature Quest, Inc.

Merlin, an all-around naturalist and wildlife photographer, has worked in wildlife biology for more than 20 years, the last fifteen of them as a forest wildlife biologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, from which he recently retired. Currently, he works for Nature Quest as our Interpretive Director, planning and guiding trips, and training new guides to interpret the natural history of the area. He is also a partner in a wildlife consulting business, Micro Management Resource Consultants. His work has included raccoon and wild turkey radiotelemetry studies for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Elk Range Expansion Initiative, Pennsylvania Audubon's Important Bird Area Program, numerous deer management studies, otter and fisher reintroduction projects, timber rattlesnake habitat protection, bat surveys, and many other forest wildlife issues. Before joining DCNR, Merlin was a naturalist with the Tennessee State Parks and was a research technician at Savannah River Ecology Laboratory at University of Georgia in Aiken, South Carolina.

He is co-author of a variety of professional publications on topics including American alligators, survival and nesting success of wild turkey, reproductive ecology of resident and introduced eastern wild turkey, biotelemetry, and tree selection for rubs by white-tailed deer in Maine. Merlin also enjoys writing articles for the general public to generate interest in and increase understanding about nature. Many of his photographs grace the Nature Quest website, and have been published in a variety of media over the years. Merlin holds a bachelor of science degree in wildlife sciences from Unity College in Maine and a master of science degree in wildlife biology from Tennessee Technological University.

Merlin’s family lives in their hand-peeled octagonal log home in rural Tioga County, and includes his lovely wife Melissa along with their 5 children: Ben, Angelica, Jonas, Melody, and Harmony.

 

Audrey Fox
Audrey holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Serving as an environmental education intern at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center near State College ignited Audrey's interest and enthusiasm in connecting people to nature. Her internship project involved a study of Monarch butterflies and participation in the Monarch Larval Monitoring Project, which continues to be one of her passions in the natural world. Audrey enjoys backpacking, kayaking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. If you are hiking in the early morning hours, you might see her bird-watching, hoping to add more species to the Second Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas. Currently, Audrey is an environmental educator for Pennsylvania State Parks, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and guide for Nature Quest, Inc..

 

Brett Martin
Brett Martin was born and raised in Ephrata, Pa. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania in geography with environmental science emphasis and minors in biology, geology, and regional planning. During college, he traveled to Newfoundland to study geomorphology and ecology; held a summer position in Yellowstone National Park; and completed an internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the Watershed Management division. Currently, he manages an archery pro shop and guides for Nature Quest, Inc.. He is an active member in the Tiadaghton chapter of Trout Unlimited, which seeks to protect and enhance local waterways. In his spare time you might find him out in this gorgeous area fly fishing and hunting or just enjoying the scenery.

 

About our Staff Page | About our Guides Page