Naturalist education, travel, and photography by
Braelei Hardt.

low angle photo of pine trees

Who is the Nature Maven?

Braelei Hardt is an evolutionary biologist, conservation educator, and naturalist currently based in the mountains near Estes Park, Colorado. With a deep passion for wildlife and storytelling, they serve as a Naturalist Educator and Content Creator for the National Wildlife Federation, crafting accessible narratives about wildlife conservation, climate change, and ecological stewardship.

Braelei has earned an Honors B.S. in Wildlife Science and Statistics from Oregon State University, followed by an M.S. in Biology from the University of Colorado, focusing on evolutionary ecology and bioacoustic physics.

Today, Braelei actively engages communities in wildlife conservation through innovative educational programs and interactive projects. They collaborate closely with CLAWS Lion Conservancy in Botswana, designing immersive educational games and workshops aimed at fostering coexistence between local communities and large carnivores like lions.

Through photography, writing, and hands-on environmental education, Braelei seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of our planet’s intricate ecological connections, advocating for thoughtful, science-based conservation practices worldwide.

Photography


Through photography, I hope to expose others to the stories of the world. I take care to include information on the biological, geological, conservation, or historical impact of each photo I take.

View my gallery and shop for prints, mugs, yoga mats, bags, and more below!


Gallery and Shop

Research


Interested in behind-the-scenes information on field biology? Visit my research page to learn more about how the environment affects how animals communicate, how having siblings influences animal stress,  current conservation projects, and more!


Research Page

Education


Itching for a naturalist lesson? Visit my blog to discover a conservationist’s view on current events in wildlife and climate science, in addition to stories about animal behavior, field work, travel, and photography.


Visit Blog

Tour Colorado

Interested in a day in the mountains with me? Contact me about setting up a private naturalist tour of Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt. Evans,  or somewhere else!

Book Now

Tourist Testimonials

Reviews from past guests

Rocky Mountain National Park


“Braelei brings a great personality as a tour guide, plus a deep knowledge of wildlife explained in a way that I could actually understand. I mean, someone who knows about the different animals, their calls, their social habits, and has studied their individual personality traits– so fascinating and simply unforgettable.”

Glen L

Breckenridge




Our guide, Braelei, was super knowledgeable about everything we did! It is apparent that they are truly inspired by what they do. That made the whole experience that much better!


Mason G

Denver Foothills


Our tour guide was engaging and intelligent– I am a history teacher and LEARNED so much from Braelei. They made the group comfortable, which led to a really fun trip with giggles and views!

Vicki S

Mt. Evans


Braelei truly is walking talking encyclopedia, but interesting! They are conscientious, patient, enthusiastic, and seem generally interest in their work as a guide.

Laura F

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