Jason Wise
He/Him
I am gay and I am an outdoor educator.//
I am a freelance outdoor environmental educator based in Los Angeles. I currently work with Friends of the Los Angeles River as an educator around local river history and ecology, including cultural and modern history, plant and animal biology, and hydrology, while guiding young people in engineering, naturalist, and art activities. I was trained as an outdoor educator through the NatureBridge Educator Development Program (EDP), and work for them in Yosemite National Park.
I have a Masters Degree in Public Policy with an environmental policy focus, but decided to shift from policy/advocacy career to outdoor education. I enjoy seeing the more direct impact of inspiring young minds. Since changing careers I have continued coursework in environmental sciences, botany, wildlife biology, geology, and received my California Naturalist Certification in 2019.
Besides work, I also volunteer in advocacy with the Sierra Club, I’m on the Board of Directors for the LGBTQ youth outdoors nonprofit Trailmixer, and I volunteer regularly working with native plants at the local Audubon Center and TreePeople.
In my free time you can find me playing in the dirt of my own native plant garden, hiking, camping, writing, or just hanging out with my two dogs and husband.