2026 Experts in Residence

Esther has a thing about birds, wildlife, and wildflowers…and her enthusiasm is contagious! Her “Walks in the Woods” will have you laughing, crying, and thinking. Esther is a master naturalist, elk expert, and certified interpretative presenter for the National Park. Most of the year, you can find her leading hikes and eco-tours in Cataloochee Valley, representing her business, Cataloochee Valley Tours.

Lynda has spent the last decade-plus at the Supervisory Park Ranger at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Her career with the National Park Service has taken her far and wide, including time spent at Cape Cod National Seashore, Yosemite National Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore. As an interpretive ranger, Lynda focused on education and events that would help visitors appreciate all that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. Lynda will share her deep knowledge of these mountains, its creatures, and its history with our guests. She will lead day hikes, night hikes, and more!

Matt has lived and travelled all over the world, but has made his way back home to southern Appalachia. Having studied Horticulture and Landscape Design at the University of Tennessee he has a passion for the natural world, especially relating to plant life. Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2016 changed the course of his life and career. He went on to complete the Triple Crown by thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Matt is now a professional backcountry guide and has hiked almost all of the trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest. With over 600 nights in the wilderness and 15,000 miles on his legs, he is as at home in the forest than away from it. He loves sharing stories of his trail experiences and of his continuing educational voyage through our natural world. Join Matt as he shares stories, history, culture and lore of Southern Appalachia and the National Park.

Scott was born and raised in the mountains of southern Appalachia, specifically the coalfields of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. Western North Carolina has been his home since 1992. After retiring from the military, he attended UNC-Asheville, earning a degree in biology, with a focus on the flora, fauna and geology of the southern Appalachians. He developed the original curricula, and teaches field classes for the Blue Ridge Naturalist program now offered at the N.C. Arboretum. Join Scott on day hikes and evening presentations to discover the many varieties the Smokies has to offer.

Kate Furman Patterson was born, raised and currently lives in Greenville, SC. She works full time for herself as the jewelry designer and goldsmith of Kate Furman Jewelry in the Village of West Greenville. Her handmade heirloom jewelry is known for its raw, refined and natural aesthetic. Kate grew up exploring our wilderness as a whitewater kayaker. Five years of whitewater raft guiding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming taught Kate how to safely share her love of the outdoors with guests, while studying abroad in Latin America with just a few sketchbooks and pens gave her the experience to lead “sketch-journaling” here in our Smoky Mountains. She has also illustrated a children’s book for an Asheville, NC author entitled “Be a Smile Maker” and won Greenville, SC “Best Local Visual Artist” award five times! Kate will lead day hikes and “sketch-journaling” sessions, teach drawing workshops and delve into the world of gemstones and precious metals. Absolutely no artistic experience is needed to participate. Kate particularly loves working with beginners!

Lee is a world traveler and a seasoned biologist who was born & raised on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. He started his biology career in the oceans surrounding the eastern hemisphere working with different universities & organizations such as NOAA tagging sharks & researching coral reefs. He holds a masters in botany with a focus on edible/medicinal plants and medicine making. He has over 15 years of educational experience teaching at all levels including collegiate & kindergarten. Lee’s passion outside of his lovely wife and beautiful daughter is the mountains. He is a high alpine athlete with a passion for altitude.

Lee and his wife, Meghan, own and run their own outdoor cooking company called Food For Adventures where they offer services such as: Private Chef, Outdoor Education, Expedition Cooking, and more! Come join Lee as he walks you through the woods to observe native and non native plants and their uses and local lore. In the evening, Lee will offer a hands on presentation where he will discuss and show how local tribes, pioneers, and others used plants for a diversity of uses.