Welcome!

My name is Josh VanBrakle, and I'm a forester, mapmaker, author, and outdoor educator living in central Pennsylvania. I've worked with private landowners and the general public for over ten years helping them care for the land and experience nature. It's my hope that the more I can share about forests, parks, and wildlife, the more excited folks will be to protect and enjoy the natural world.

I have a B.A. in Environmental Economics & Policy from Lebanon Valley College, and an M.S. in Natural Resources Management from the State University of New York - College of Environmental Science and Forestry. My previous work includes protecting water quality in New York's Catskill Mountains with the Watershed Agricultural Council and supporting land conservation in Pennsylvania with the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association.

Aside from my environmental work, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, nature photography, and in general being outdoors wherever and whenever possible. I'm also the author of the award-winning teen fantasy book series The Dragoon Saga. My latest series, the Ninja Corps Adventures, blends my love of fantasy and wildlife with a teenage crew of animal-shapeshifting ninjas. I hope you'll check it out. I'm joined in my adventures by my wife, daughter, and our ill-behaved cat.