Meet Erica Wolff: From Mountain Roots to Ocean Stories

I like to say I grew up with a foot in adventure and a head full of questions.

I was born and raised in Colorado, right next to Rocky Mountain National Park, where being outdoors wasn’t optional, it was just life. My family was always hiking, exploring, and getting a little muddy, and that early exposure to nature sparked a curiosity in me that never really went away. I didn’t just want to see the world—I wanted to understand it.

That curiosity eventually took me from the mountains to the ocean. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Marine Science with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where I traded alpine views for coral reefs and salty air. Later, I completed my Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, diving deeper into how science connects with people, policy, and the real world.

But if I’m honest, my love for adventure started way before college. When I was 12, I took my first solo trip to Alaska to spend a week on my uncle’s boat with a group of geologists. Looking back, that experience probably explains a lot. Something clicked out there—being surrounded by wild places and people passionate about understanding them. I haven’t really stopped traveling since.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to explore some incredible places. Japan, Korea, and Australia are at the top of my favorites list (for now), but my bucket list is still very long and constantly growing.

My path into science communication wasn’t exactly planned—it sort of found me. While I was completing my master’s online in California, I was also working full-time on a whale watching boat. One day, somewhere between spotting whales and answering questions from guests, I had a thought: “Wait… this could actually be a really fun way to make a living.”

Turns out, I was right.

For the past four years, I’ve been working as a guide in Alaska, combining my science background with storytelling and exploration. I currently split my time between guiding on small expedition vessels in Southeast Alaska—where I get to create personal, immersive experiences with wildlife and remote landscapes—and guest presenting on larger cruise ships, sharing stories and science with broader audiences at sea.

Earlier on, I also spent a season inland at a wilderness lodge just outside Denali State Park, which gave me a whole new appreciation for Alaska’s interior. More recently, I had the opportunity to guide in Hawaii for a few weeks on an expedition vessel—bringing things full circle back to where I studied marine science.

One of the coolest invitations I’ve received so far was to join an itinerary departing from Australia and crossing the Pacific. I couldn’t do the entire journey this time, but it gave me a glimpse of where I hope this career continues to go—longer expeditions, farther destinations, and even more opportunities to share what I love.

At the end of the day, science communication, to me, is all about connection. It’s about taking the things I’m passionate about—wild places, wildlife, and the science behind it all—and making them accessible, engaging, and maybe even a little inspiring.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s this: the more people understand the world around them, the more they care about it.

And I think that’s a great place to start.