Vincent Pinto
Naturalist, Wildlife Biologist, and Outdoor Instructor Vincent Pinto has been teaching people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds about the Natural World since 1987. He has led individuals and groups throughout the country on trips of discovery on a myriad of topics - Bird-watching, Ethnobotany, Tracking, Stone-age Skills, Wilderness Survival Skills, Astronomy, Wildlife Habitat Restoration, Sustainable Living Practices, and more. Vince has learned his unique skills through countless hours of experimentation, via profound experiences in Nature throughout North America and the World, and from some of the field’s leading teachers. He believes in providing detailed one-on-one instruction to each student, carefully guiding them through various experiences to maximize their enjoyment and learning.
Vince knows that each element of Nature has more to teach us than any mere words can convey. Accordingly, he guides you to the animals, plants, rocks, and other natural elements in order to learn from them as well.
Vincent and his wife, Claudia, run RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS, which is dedicated to raising Environmental Awareness through hands-on, experiential, and affordable Nature Programs. Together they own two Nature Sanctuaries - 42 acres at Raven’s Nest near Lake Patagonia and 50+ acres at Raven’s Mountain in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains. Vince and Claudia, passionate Conservationists and Environmental Stewards, tirelessly protect these special unspoiled habitats. They hope to inspire you to embark upon your own Journey of Nature Adventure and Earth Stewardship.
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Environmental Studies (Prescott College, AZ, 2000)
- Focus: Southwestern Hunting & Gathering Cultures
- Thesis: Primitive Ways of Making & Using Fire in the American Southwest
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology (University of Montana, 1986)
Tom Brown’s Tracker School (New Jersey, 1990)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Professional experience (Vince has taught Stone-age and Naturalist Skills at the following institutions and events:
The Arizona State Museum (Tucson, AZ)
Pueblo Grande Museum (Phoenix, AZ)
Mission Montessori Academy (Scottsdale, AZ)
Audubon Society’s Desert Institute (Tucson, AZ)
Wings over Wilcox (Wilcox, AZ)
Arizona Game & Fish Expo (Phoenix, AZ)
Miraval Resort (Catalina AZ)
Cochise College (Sierra Vista & Benson, AZ)
Prescott College (Prescott, AZ)
Prescott College Student Mentor (AZ)
Sharlot Hall Museum (Prescott, AZ)
Smoki Museum (Prescott, AZ)
Apache Grade School (Apache, AZ)
Filming for “Travel Bug” TV series
Filming for “Buggin’ with Rude” TV series
American Museum of Natural History’s Southwestern Research station (Portal, AZ)
Chiricahua National Monument (AZ)
Wintercount Gathering (Maricopa, AZ)
Tucson Green Festival (AZ)
Bisbee Farmer’s Market (AZ)
Dona Ana Branch community College (Las Cruces, NM)
Western New Mexico University (Silver City, NM)
Permaculture Class (Prescott, AZ)
Pathfinder Ranch Environmental Education Center (CA)
Rabbitstick Rendezvous (Rexburg, ID)
Northern Lights Gathering (Britich Columbia)
The Chewonki Foundation (Wiscasset, ME)
Appalachian Mountain Club (Gorham, NH)
Poko MacCready Outdoor Education center (Willsboro, NY)
Greenkill YMCA (Huguenot, NY)
Corinth Elementary School (Corinth, NY)
Several Teacher’s Conferences (NY)
Whiteface Mountain Native American Festival (NY)
Fairview Lake YMCA (Newton, NJ)
Tom Brown’s Tracker School (NJ)
Pennypack Environmental Education Center (Phila., PA)
Churchville Nature Center (Churchville, PA)
VINCE’S OTHER EXPERIENCES:
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Researcher (AZ)
Spotted Owl Researcher (NM, OR)
Wild Turkey Researcher (AZ/NM)
Reptile & Amphibian Researcher (MO)
Mammal Researcher (MD)
Wildlife Habitat Specialist (UT)
Marine Biologist (AK)
Substitute Teacher (Tucson, AZ)
High School Instructional Aide (Prescott, AZ)
Sky Islands Alliance’s Tracking workshop (NM)
Extensive Backpacking & Hiking experience in: AZ, NM, UT, CO, WY, MT, HI, CA, OR, WA, ID, MO, FL, PA, NJ, NY, NH, ME, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and Australia.
StoneAge Wilderness trips in AZ, NM, CA, ID, MT, PA
RAVENSWAY WILD JOURNEYS HAS BEEN FEATURED IN:
Arizona Highways, Feb. 2003 issue (in the “OffRamp” section)
The Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ)
The Press Republican (Plattsburg, NY)
We are also Business Partners with the Tucson Audubon Society.