Trackers International Staff

Nicole Apelian received a BS in Biology from McGill University in Canada and a Masters of Science in Biology from the University of Oregon in 1993. Nicole currently leads African and South American wildlife safaris for Trackers International, and is their main travel consultant. Nicole has been an educator for many years, having taught biology at a number of different community colleges, high schools, and universities. She has also been a marine biology instructor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received teacher of the year for the two years she taught high school biology. As an adult educator for the Audubon Society of Portland, leading Trackers International expeditions and working at other leading conservation education programs, Nicole brings a vibrant energy and passion into her work.

Nicole’s experience in scientific research is distinguished. She was a research associate at the Okavango Lion Research Project, a 10-year study focused on ecology, reproduction, disease and genetics of these large cats. Through key grants she has also done marine research on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Alaska, studied toxic diatoms and phytoplankton populations, and done studies on genetic diversity.

She has worked as a game warden for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the US Peace Corps in Botswana, as a shellfish observer for the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, and other diverse career paths in the field of biology, education and ecology.

Nicole's experience abroad, specifically her research, has been an intensive conversation with the land and the people she visits. Her extensive background in biology and real-world experience with global issues adds an unparalleled legitimacy to how she serves her clients. Currently Nicole is working on her Doctorate in Sustainability at Prescott College and is the lead coordinator for the TrackersTEAMS Graduate Studies Immersion Program in Traditional Skills.

Mike Houck, Executive Director of the Portland-based Urban Greenspaces Institute, has also served as Urban Naturalist for the Audubon Society of Portland since 1980. He has for more than thirty years led natural history tours throughout the Pacific Northwest and internationally for Audubon, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, The Nature Conservancy, and the Urban Greenspaces Institute. He has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for his work on urban nature conservation

Tony has lived and studied skills and concepts of sustainability his entire life. Even as a teenager he cultivated a 3/4 acre market garden based on principles of permaculture design and the study of ecology through tracking. The extensive Italian family Tony grew up with was one of the greatest influences on his core philosophy of the value of community and family. His focus at the Evergreen State College was how humans connect to the land around them through participatory experiences. This, coupled with 16 years of extensive work and cutting edge development as a contractor and consultant in the field of environmental education, lead him to found TrackersNW and the Trackers Family of programs. Based on his work, research and experience in survival, bushcraft, traditional skills and tracking, Tony also taught extensively for the graduate sustainability program at Portland State University, including founding their Naturalist Training Program. He has facilitated wildlife tracking, outdoor entrepreneurial and adventure education workshops for the Forest Service, Audubon Society of Portland, countless parks and interpretation agencies, universities, colleges and much more. Currently, he is a lead facilitator for the TrackersTEAMS Immersion Program. Tony is also authoring a definitive guide and workbook on tracking and naturalist training with Michelle Keefer, set to publish in fall 2009.

Molly has a passion for travel, foreign languages and culture, classical music, outdoors adventuring, and empowering people through self awareness and self defense. A native Oregonian, Molly received her Bachelors degree in German from Davidson College in North Carolina and spent a year in Germany, also traveling throughout much of Western Europe. She trains and teaches the martial arts, teaching kids and women about safety and strength. She is a self-defense instructor with our Women's programs and is a Trackers International safari representative to Botswana and beyond. Molly is also an avid cellist in the Central Oregon Symphony, snow boarder, fluent speaker of German, dabbler in languages such as Italian and Portuguese and lover of cats.