2026 Experts in Residence

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!

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.

Chris has a passion for distance hiking and backpacking, having hiked over 16,000 miles since 2015. After retiring from the US Air Force and spending several years in the defense industry, he took a sabbatical to thru hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. The experience changed his life in several ways. As they say, the rest is history. He turned down his career and turned up his trail miles…a lot, typically hiking 2,000+ miles a year. In 2019, Chris thru hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail followed by the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail in 2022, wrapping up his “Triple Crown.” When he’s not on a long trail, he’s usually hiking in his back yard, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where he’s hiked 6,000+ miles. Join Chris in the evenings to hear his trail tales and each morning for a hike or more long trail stories. 

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.