Please contact us for any expedition’s itinerary, focus, or contacts met.
For an example of a typical NWNL expedition, click here.
Abbreviations
R River; L Lake; US F & W Fish & Wildlife
USACE US Army Corps of Engineers
Enviro-journos Environmental Journalists
NP/F National Park/Forest; NR National Reserves
TVA Tennessee Valley Authority
SEJ Conf Society of Environmental Journalists Conference
NILE
MARA
OMO
COLUMBIA
MISSISSIPPI
RARITAN
NWNL SPOTLIGHTS
NILE
Oct 2019 Nile River and Delta – Egypt
Focus Infrastructure, irrigation, pollution, transport, subsidence, land use
Places/Events Ancient Nubia, The Sahara, Upper/Lower Nile R, Nile Delta
3 Interviews Hydrologist, Egyptologists, Archeologist
Mar 2010 White Nile River Basin – Uganda
Focus Rainforest, biodiversity, lakes, dams, climate change, deforestation
Places/Events Lakes Victoria, Edward & Albert; Nat’l Forests, Kidepo, Jinja
9 Interviews NGO reps; guides; park ranger, displaced village spokesmen
Feb 2008 Blue Nile River Basin – Ethiopia
Focus Hydrology, sanitation, management of protected lands
Places/Events Arba Minch & Nech Sar NP
13 Interviews Water Tech. Inst. scientists, African Parks management
Sep 2007 Blue Nile River Basin – Ethiopia
Focus Ancient northern Ethiopian cultures, agriculture, land use
Places/Events Addis (Tiya & nearby), Axum, Yeha, Lalibela/3rd Millennium
10 Interviews Historians, Development NGO agents, Tourist guides
Aug 2004 Blue Nile River Basin – Ethiopia
Focus Water access, infrastructure, land use, Coptic Christian influences
Places/Events Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, Tissiat Falls, Gondar, Lalibela
1 Interview Historian
MARA
Feb 2019 Mau Forest & the Greater Maasai Mara – Kenya
Focus Biodiversity, ecosystems, conservancy successes
Places/Events Olare Motorogi , Mara North and Naboisho Conservancies
2 Interviews Wilderness guides
Feb 2018 The Greater Maasai Mara & Proposed Dams – Kenya
Focus Mau Forest, drought, dams, savannah biodiversity, community
Places/Events Mai Mahiu, Aberdare Bongo Reserve, Mt Kenya, EAWLS mtg/dams
20 Interviews Wildlife specialists, conservation managers, farmers
Feb 2016 Mau Forest, Great Rift Valley – Kenya
Focus Mau & Eburu Forests, bongo, NGO ag support, community roles
Places/Events Mai Mahiu, Abedares, Mt Kenya, Nairobi NP
9 Interviews Development NGO reps, farmers
Jan – Feb 2015 Mara Conservancy – Kenya
Focus Mau Forest bongo, Serengeti Hwy, anti-poaching dogs, tourism
Places/Events Mara Conservancy
10 Interviews Conservationists, tourism reps, lawyer, hydrologist
Mar 2013 Mara River Basin Interviews – Kenya
Focus Wildlife conservation, geology
Places/Events Nairobi interviews
6 Interviews Conservationists, NGO reps, geologist
Mar 2012 Mara Conservancy, Maasai Mara NR – Kenya
Focus Conservancy, poaching controls
Places/Events Serena Hill, Mara Conservancy, Mara North, Naboisho Conservancy
9 Interviews Mara Conservancy CEO, conservationists, lawyer, businessman
Jan 2012 Mau Forest – Kenya
Focus Mau Forest Ogiek, deforestation aerials, fencing, bongo re-intro
Places/Events Mau Forest (Njoro, Elburgon, Enyapuiyapui Swamp), Kericho
13 Interviews Conservationists, teacher, businessman, Maasai, tourism reps
Apr 2010 Maasai Mara NR, Mara Conservancy – Kenya
Focus Climate change, 3-yr drought, up/downstream water use, 501c3 roles
Places/Events Mara Conservancy, Mara River flow monitoring, Kajiado
7 Interviews Hydrologists, conservationists, lawyer, conservancy CEO
Sep 2009 Mau Forest to L Victoria – Kenya & Tanzania
Focus Drought, transboundary flows, deforestation, farming, wildlife
Places/Events Mau Forest, Nyangores-Amala R, Maasai Mara, L Victoria
25 Interviews Scientists, farmers, teachers, Maasai, NGOs, conservationists
Mar 2006 Maasai Mara NP & Serengeti NP – Kenya & Tanzania
Focus Wildebeest migration, short-grass season, 3 million-year-old soils
Places/Events Ndutu, Soit le Motonyi, Gol Kopjes, Loliondo Game Area
4 Interviews Tanzania conservationists & guides, Mara Conservancy CEO
Mar 2006 Mara Conservancy & Serengeti NP – Kenya & Tanzania
Focus New-born wildlife, migration to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, short grass season, 3 m-yr-old soils
Places/Events Ndutu Plains, Soit le Motonyi, Gol Kopjes, Nasera Rock, Loliondo Game Area
4 Interviews Tanzanian conservationists and safari guides. Mara Conservancy CEO
Sep 2004 Maasai Mara NP – Kenya
Focus Biodiversity in Narok /Maasai Mara NR, aerial views of Maasai Mara
Places/Events Talek River, Waters of Africa Flying Safari over Great Rift Valley
3 Interviews Kenya conservationists
July 2003 Rekero Camp, Mara Conservancy – Kenya
Focus TransMara Maasai/Mara Conserv. partnership; “Greater Mara” idea
Places/Events Mara Conservancy 1st Anniversary, Mara Trust Retreat
4 Interviews Kenya conservationists, Maasai stakeholders, tourism reps
Sep 2002 Mara Conservancy, Maasai Mara NP – Kenya
Focus Mara Trust structure, assessment of progress and accountability
Places/Events 1st Anniversary of Mara Conservancy, Mara Trust Retreat at Fig Tree Camp
8 Interviews Mara Trust Board & Advisors, Mara Conservancy CEO
June 2001 Mara Conservancy, Maasai Mara NP – Kenya
Focus Mara Conservancy launch, conservation transparency & management
Places/Events Siria Escarpment, Mara Triangle (in Maasai Mara NR)
9 Interviews Mara Conservancy founders, conservationists, Maasai landowners
May 2000 Mara Conservancy, Maasai Mara NR – Kenya
Focus Planning community-based conservation in Maasai Mara Triangle
Places/Events Siria Escarpment encampment and meetings with local landowners
9 Interviews Kenyan conservationists and Maasai chiefs
1985 – 2000 Maasai Mara NR – Kenya
Focus Yearly visits to compare wildlife & land conservation concepts
Places/Events Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Ethiopia
Interviews African conservationists, African Parks & other conservation NGOs
OMO
Feb 2018 Lake Turkana Basin, Lobolo – Kenya
Focus Western shore of lake, geology, water quality & alkalinity, Gibe Dam impacts
Places/Events Lodwar, Lobolo
4 Interviews Tourism reps, Lake Turkana stakeholders
Feb 2013 Kerio River & L Turkana Basin – Kenya
Focus Upstream-downstream water conflicts, lake salinity, fisheries
Places/Events Pokot Region, Eliye Springs, Central Island
14 Interviews NGO reps, Turkana Basin Inst. scientists, tourism reps
Jan 2013 Omo River Basin Interviews – Kenya
Focus Gibe Dam impacts on Omo Valley & L Turkana volume, fish & salinity
Places/Events Deforestation, wells, rainwater harvesting, micro-dams
10 Interviews Turkana Basin Institute scientists, engineer, businessman, NGO rep
Jan 2008 Omo River & the Hamar Hills – Ethiopia
Focus Dry-season ceremonies, harvests, Karo parliament & consensus rule
Places/Events Hamar homestead, Karo village of Duss, Omorate & Omo Delta
12 Interviews Water Tech Inst. scientists, NGO reps
Sep 2007 The Omo Valley and its Delta – Ethiopia
Focus Gibe 3 Dam impacts, Omo River flooding & local concerns
Places/Events Gibe River aerials, Murule, Lumale, Omo Delta, Omorate
2 Interviews Historians, conservationists
Sep 2005 Lower Omo River Basin: L Turkana – Kenya
Focus Omo Valley’s 6000-yr-old cultures & flood-recession ag, local hydrology
Places/Events Lower Omo R/ Delta, Hamar Hills, L. Turkana, Chalbi Desert
1 Interview Anthropologist
Aug 2003 Lake Turkana’s Lobolo, Koobi Fora & Islands – Kenya
Focus Volcanism, Turkana Tribe, deltaic flooding, Rift Valley archeology
Places/Events L Turkana’s W & E shores, Central Isl., Omo Delta, Chalbi Desert
1 Interview Anthropologist
COLUMBIA
Oct 2017 Oregon’s Columbia R Tributaries – OR
Focus Cascade Mtns; riparian corridors, water quality, wildfires
Places/Events Deschutes, Metolius & Mackenzie Rivers
Casual Interviews Local fly-fishermen, tackle shop salesmen
May 2015 Snake River Basin – WA, OR
Focus Palouse soil/ag; dams, barges, trains; invasive species; bird species
Places/Events Columbia Plateau Trail SP, Fish Lake Park, Turnbull NWR
4 Interviews Farmers, grain loader, Homesteaders, venders
Mar 2015 Snake River Basin: The Palouse – WA
Focus Lower 4 Snake R dams, salmon, no-till farming, rail v barge costs
Places/Events Steptoe Butte, Whitman County, Penawawa Creek, Moscow Mtns
2 Interviews Save Our Salmon representatives
Oct 2014 Spokane River & Columbia Transboundary Conf. – WA & ID
Focus Columbia Transboundary Treaty, youth activism, Missoula Flood/Big Burn
Places/Events Spokane R, CR Treaty 50thAnniv, L Coeur d’Alene, ID Panhandle NF
Forum Voices 3-Day Forum (40 US/BC committee reps/approx 500 attendees)
May 2014 Snake River Tributary – WA, OR, ID & WY
Focus Dams, salmon, irrigation, soil & farming, Nez Perce Tribe, biodiversity
Places/Events Snake R. Dams, Hells Cyn, Boise, Magic Valley, Idaho Falls, Tetons
20 Interviews USF&W, irrigators, port mgrs., farmers, historian, boaters, enviro’s
Oct 2011 Lower Columbia Tributaries & Estuary, Elwha Dam – WA
Focus Dam Removal/River Restoration, Mt St Helens, Chinook Nation history
Places/Events Olympic Peninsula/Elwha R; Olympia; Toutle, Cowlitz, Columbia Rivers
13 Interviews Scientists, conservationists, museum dir., historians, Chinook elders
Aug 2008 Upper Columbia, British Columbia – CANADA
Focus RAMSAR/Columbia Wetlands, Darkwoods/TNC (Mountain Caribou habitat)
Places/Events Kootenay Gallery-NWNL Exhibit, Creston Valley WMA, Salmo R.
9 Interviews Conservationists, artists, gallery directors, tourists, park mgrs.
June 2007 Columbia River: Source to Sea – US & CANADA
Focus Agriculture, dams, salmon, First & Tribal Nations
Places/Events Columbia Icefield & Wetlands, Columbia R Estuary, Gorge & tributaries
52 Interviews Scientists, journos, historians, gov’t reps, conservationists, residents
MISSISSIPPI
June 2019 Lower Mississippi Flooding – MS & LA
Focus Flooding of Natchez, Vicksburg, Yazoo Backwater Area & farms
Places/Events Aerials of floods & levees ((N of Natchez to Morganza)
4 Interviews Port manager, pilot, resident
June 2017 Upper Missouri & KXL – NEB
Focus Pipeline/40 Missouri R tributaries, Cowboy Indian Alliance
Places/Events Niobrara SP, O’Neill, Neligh, Steel City transfer station
10 Interviews Native American elders, Bold Nebraska reps, farmers
Mar 2017 Central Platte River Basin – NEB
Focus Braided river & cranes, sandhills, Calamus Reservoir, agriculture
Places/Events Crane Trust, Great Platte River Museum, Switzer Preserve
6 Interviews NGO reps, conservationists, historians, ranchers, scientist
Jan 2015 Lower Mississippi River – MS
Focus “Cancer Alley,” literature on the Lower Mississippi R, loess soil
Places/Events Natchez Library Eudora Welty/ Mississippi River lectures
Sep 2015 Red River of the South – TX & OK
Focus Riverine corridors, weather, ranching, oil and gas impacts
Places/Events Permian Basin, Dustbowl/Rt 66, Palo Duro SP, SEJ Conf.
8 Interviews Stroud Research Ctr, enviro-journos, scientists
Sep 2014 Lower Mississippi River – LA, MS, AR, MO & TN
Focus Urban-rural levees, plains, delta, oil/gas impacts, farming, pollution
Places/Events Ohio, White, Arkansas, Yazoo, Red & Atchafalaya R/SEJ Conf
24 Interviews USACE, enviro journos, conservationists, fishermen, scientists
Sep – Oct 2013 TN/Ohio Rivers – WV, TN, AL, KY, OH & PA
Focus Infrastructure, recreation, climate change, biodiversity, pollution
Places/Events Tenn-Tom Canal, Cumberland R/SEJ Conf., Cairo, Louisville, Cincinnati, Wheeling, Pittsburgh
43 Interviews TVA, USACE & EPA reps, stewards, fracking opponents
May 2013 Upper Mississippi – MN, WI, IA, IN & IL
Focus Climate, infrastructure, pollution prairies, Mississippian cultures
Places/Events L Itasca, L Bemidji, St Croix R, Cedar R, Kickapoo Valley
29 Interviews USACE, USGS, USF&W, farmers, NGO reps, stewards
Oct 2012 Red & Canadian Rivers – TX, OK & LA
Focus Dams, droughts, farming/ranching, wind power, fracking
Places/Events Lubbock, SEJ Conf, Texas Panhandle, Hagerman NWR
16 Interviews Environmental journalists, scientists, meteorologists
Oct 2011 Atchafalaya R & Mississippi R Delta – LA
Focus Delta wetlands & biota, USACE infrastructure, oil/gas impacts
Places/Events Old River, L Fausse Pt, L Martin, Atchafalaya R, Grand Isle
19 Interviews Scientists, stewards, fishers, historians, geologist
Feb 2008 Mid-Mississippi River: Yazoo Delta – MS
Focus Levee Board, Mississippi River access, agriculture, recreation
Places/Events Clarksdale, Coahoma County
8 Interviews Conservationist, salesperson, Levee Board, musicians
May 2008 Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – WY & MT
Focus Missouri R tributaries, biodiversity, riparian habitats, mountains
Places/Events Yellowstone, Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin & Missouri R.
Consultations Researchers & professional photographers, tourist guides
Jul 2003 Mississippi’s “Great Flood of ’93” – MO & IL
Focus Flooding impacts, levee infrastructure, agriculture, transportation
Places/Events The Ozarks; river towns of Ste Genevieve to New Madrid
Conversations National Guard, innkeepers, farmers, volunteers
RARITAN
Apr 2019 Raritan River Basin – NJ
Focus Aerial photos of the entire basin, anti-pipeline and anti-fracking protests
Places/Events 11th RRB conf/Jun (“Social Vulnerability”) WX/storms, bridges, land use
22 Interviews Rutgers U scientists, NGO reps, engineers, gov’t reps, municipal planners
2018 Lower Raritan River New Brunswick – NJ
Focus Anthropocene microplastics/nanomaterials, watershed education & involvement
Places/Events 10th RRB conf/Jun (“Micro-Macro”), merging contaminants, sea level rise
20 Lectures Rutgers U scientists, NGO reps, government reps
2017 Upper Raritan – NJ
Focus Green Acres preservation, rural tree farms, and preserved open space
Places/Events 9th RRB Conf/Jun; Tewksbury Land Trust. Community input, forest biota
15 Interviews Speakers at NY-NJ Harbor/Estuary Planning Meeting, Authors
2016 Raritan River Basin, Millstone River, Raritan Bay – NJ
Focus River corridors in spring and in fall, recreation, upstream rural values
Places/Events Raritan Bay’s north and south shores, Round Valley Reservoir
2015 Raritan River, Peter Brooks, Raritan Bay – NJ
Focus Water quality, infrastructure, open space & farms, fisheries, wetlands, oysters
Places/Events 7th RRB conf/Jun (“2 States-1Bay,NY/NJ”), Raritan Bay, Tewksbury Twp.
Lectures Rutgers U scientists, NGO reps, professors, recreation reps, USACE, authors
2013 Green, South, Stony Brook, Millstone & Upper Raritan R – NJ
Focus Point/nonpoint pollution, water use, biodiversity, river clean-ups , dams
Places/Events 5th RRB Conference/Dec; RRB films/Mar; Helmetta Pine Barens
Lectures Rutgers U scientists; Films on floods…, dams, grassroots interest
2012 Lower Raritan & Superstorm Sandy – NJ
Focus Raritan Action Plan; land management; flooding, mitigation, adaptation, fish
Places/Events 4th RRB Conf/Jun (Conservation, dams, storm recovery/FEMA)
Lectures/Rutgers Conf. NGO reps, Rutgers U scientists, professors, FEMA
2011 Raritan River Basin – NJ
Focus Duke Farms & URWA stewardship, green infrastructure/brownfields
Places/Events 3rd RRB Conf/Jun – RRB Economy, Ecology & Future, rural values
20 Lectures/Rutgers Conf. NGO reps, mayors, Rutgers U scientists, professors
2010 Raritan River, Superfund Sites, Raritan Bay – NJ
Focus Raritan R planning, floods, South & North Branches, stewardship
Places/Events Mountainville, Califon, Clinton, Peapack
Interviews URWA stream training
2009 Lower Raritan River – NJ
Focus 150+ contaminated sites, infrastructure, fishing, stewardship, biodiversity
Places/Events 1st RRB Conf/May (“Raritan Basin”), Raritan Bay, New Brunswick
19 Lectures/Rutgers Conf. NGO reps, former NJ Governor, scientists, professors
8 Interviews Rutgers U admin, NGO reps, Baykeeper, stewards, Govt rep, NJ gov
2008 Upper & Lower Raritan River – NJ
Focus Biodiversity, recreation, , infrastructure, historic pollution, transportation
Places/Events Budd L, Tewksbury Twp, Raritan Canal, Bound Brk, S & N Branches
2007 Upper Raritan River – NJ
Focus Floods, weather, historic infrastructure, biodiversity, agriculture
Places/Events Old mills, riparian corridors, farms
NWNL SPOTLIGHTS
California Megadrought
Aug 2019 Santa Barbara Drought & Wildfires – CA
Focus Riverine biodiversity, soil/water, desalination, wildfire risks
Places/Events Botanic Garden, mudslide site updates, Sta Ynez Mtns
7 Interviews Monterey CA gov’t official, editors & authors
Feb 2019 Mojave Desert & Central Coast – CA
Focus New SB desal, desert/public lands, SB Oil Spill 50th anniversary
Places/Events Hinkley, St Francis Dam, Las Vegas, Ivanpah solar array
4 Interviews Oil Spill volunteers, SB Desal mgr., 2018 mudslide victims
Oct 2017 Central Coast Estuaries – CA
Focus CA Water Project, wildfires, freshwater advocacy, stormwater
Places/Events Santa Barbara, Carpenteria
4 Interviews C-WINS & WaterFix reps; editors/booksellers
Oct 2016 Central Coast, Sierra Mtns, San Joaquin R – CA
Focus Lagoons, ranching, ag, land easements, wildfires, salmon-rice solution
Places/Events SEJ conf/UC-Davis, estuaries, Yosemite/Kings Canyon NP
6 Interviews Wildfire-fighters, enviro-journos, NP rangers
21 Lectures Scientists, NGO reps, lawyers, govt agents, CA Tribal leaders
Mar 2016 Central Coast & Central Valley – CA
Focus Nexus of Pacific Ocean, mountains, freshwater flows, ag & biota
Places/Events Sta Maria, Big Sur, Monterey, Los Banos, Mendota, King City
Features Canals, wasteways, bypasses, sloughs, bays, rivers, arroyos, ocean
Aug 2015 The Mojave & Colorado Deserts – CA
Rivers L.A., Arroyo Seco, Rio Hondo, S Gabriel, Sta Ana, Mojave, Colorado
Places L.A., Victorville, Ludlow, Barstow, Needles, Parker AZ, 29 Palms
Features 214 washes, 9 lakes, 4 oases, 3 dams, 2 aqueducts, 14 refuges
Nov 2014 Sacramento, San Joaquin & King Rivers – CA
Focus Irrigation/canals, crops/cattle; dry city wells, fracking, waterfowl
Places/Events Modesto, Folsom, Los Banos, Mendota, Friant, Porterville Tulare
9 Interviews San Luis NWR, NGO reps, photographers, mayor, citrus farmer
Mar 2014 Sacramento & San Joaquin Rivers – CA
Focus Aqueducts, canals, reservoirs, irrigation/land use, wildlife refuges
Places/Events S. Pablo Bay, CA Delta, Colusa, Los Banos, Fresno, Tulare, Carrizo Plain
Assignment San Joaquin: Most Endangered US River, 2014/American Rivers
Ancient Rome
May 2018 Ancient aqueducts, fountains & sewers – Italy
Focus Transboundary waterways, political power of water infrastructure for all
Places/Events Roman aqueducts & fountains, Baths of Caracalla, Tiber River
India
Feb 2017 Rajasthan and Yamuna/Ganges River – India
Focus Pollution, water access, desert farms & cattle, water/religion nexus
Places Delhi, Jodpur, Chandeleo, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Events Ganges Fire Arti, Nagaur Cattle Fair, Old Delhi pigeon & kite flying
Amboseli – Tsavo Ecosystem
May 2019 Lake Amboseli- East Tsavo NP – Kenya
Focus 10,000 elephants & super-tuskers, thornbush scrub, Yatta Plateau
Places/Events Amboseli L; E Tsavo NP/Galana R, Lugard’s Falls
Unique Characteristics Falls/rapids, 300-km geomagnetic lava flow
Jan 2015 Chyulu Hills & Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Laval soil/biota; Wakamba ag/livestock management, education
Places/Events Chyulu’s Ol Donyo Wuas/Amboseli’s Tortilis Camp
2 Interviews NGO rep on permaculture, conservationist
Mar 2012 Amboseli Region, Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Dry lake, underground seepage from Mt Kili, Maasai customs, wildlife
Places/Events Enkongu Narok Swamp, Maasai manyatta, “Maasai Olympics”
2 Interviews National wilderness guide, local wilderness guide
Feb 2012 Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Aerials of Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, Mt Kilimnjaro & Mwenzi
Places/Events Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, Tortilis Camp
2006 Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Local Maasai education, biodiversity, spring-fed wetlands
Places/Events Kitirua Woodlands, Maasai Olympics
1 Interviews Tourism rep
Aug 2003 Amboseli NP & Mt Kilimanjaro – Kenya
Focus Water for wildlife, receding glaciers, Maasai villages & cattle
Places/Events Ol Kanjau Camp, 6-day Kilimanjaro Summit
5 Interviews Tourism reps, educator, TransMara Maasai
Mar 2003 Chyulu Hills & Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Pangea geology, local Maasai education
Places/Events Chyulu’s Campi ya Kanzi /Amboseli NPs Kitirua Woodlands
2 Interviews Tourism reps.
Jul 2002 Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Maasai schools, wells (lamutiak) & troughs for cattle, geology
Places/Events Kitirua Woodlands, “Maasai Olympics”
2 Interviews Tourist reps, Maasai
2000 Amboseli NP – Kenya
Focus Maasai social structure, primary education
Places/Events Kitirua Woodlands, Maasai wedding/circumcision ceremony
2 Interviews Tourism rep, conservationist
June 1998 Amboseli NP & E Tsavo NP – Kenya
Focus Elephants’ trophic cascade, Maasai culture, orphaned elephants
Places/Events Kitirua Woodlands, Yatta Plateau; Voi, Athi & Galana Rivers
1 Interviews Former Tsavo NP manager/conservationist