Erica Wirth

Erica grew up in a small town outside of Columbus, Ohio where she got her start in environmental education. At the ripe age of fourteen, she began working at the Columbus Zoo in the education department. When she was sixteen, they sent her to study polar bears in Canada, with Polar Bears International. Learning about these animals in their natural environment inspired her to pursue a career working in wildlife.

Erica went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College in Environmental Studies & Psychology. While at Eckerd she participated in a variety of research projects taking her to Costa Rica, Honduras, Indonesia, and Tanzania. After college, spent a season working and living in Saguaro National Park followed by a season of whale watching in the San Juan Islands where she discovered her passion for marine mammals. She is now a captain and naturalist based out of Monterey Bay. When she’s not on the water you can find her hiking, hanging out with her dog, painting, or enjoying the town of Santa Cruz.