Wandering Wild was started by Amy Long who is a mother, guide, naturalist and adventurer.
Owner & Lead Guide
Amy's passion for nature was ignited during family vacations to National Parks and summers spent at Girl Scout camp. At just 12 years old, she learned to backpack on a segment of the Appalachian Trail, developing a deep appreciation for wildlife and adventure. As a mother of six, Amy shared her love for nature with her children. After living in various states across the US, they traveled full-time in an RV before settling in Buffalo, NY, in 2017. Following her divorce in 2019, Amy embarked on a journey of self-discovery in the wilderness, finding empowerment in the mountains. She began taking extensive camping trips with her children throughout the US and Canada, solo backpacking, and adventures with friends, embracing the mantra that "we do hard things." In 2020, she returned to school to study Environmental Studies, earning her Bachelor of Science in 2024 from the University at Buffalo. Along the way, she obtained certifications in Wilderness First Aid, became a certified Wilderness First Responder, and achieved professional Lifeguarding certification. In her spare time, Amy seeks adventure in various forms with her six wild and wonderful kids.
Assistant Guide
Emily, a 14-year professional photographer, discovered her love for travel in 2020 when her sister went missing in California during a mental health crisis. After a cross-country search and her sister's recovery, Emily, her sister and their mother celebrated with a road trip from California to Buffalo. Until then, family vacations had been limited to East Coast beaches, but this journey introduced Emily to the vast beauty of the West---from the Arizona heat and Utah's red rocks to Colorado's majestic mountain peaks and pines. That trip sparked a deep love for exploration, and she's been traveling the country ever since. Though her sister passed away in 2023 from her addiction, Emily credits her for inspiring a lifelong passion for adventure and feels her presence on every journey.
Mission
We're on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower women through experiences in nature. We believe that outdoor recreation should be accessible to all women, which is why many of our events are kid-inclusive and affordable. Our goal is to teach women the skills of wilderness survival, backpacking, camping, and local ecology so that they can feel capable, strong, and amazing. We're building a community of like-minded women who support each other because we know that we're not to do life alone - it truly takes a village. Join us and let's explore the great outdoors together!