Sydney Vander Waerdt

Sydney Vander Waerdt is a Lead Field Instructor at Teton Science School who is a passionate explorer, naturalist and educator. She grew up in Colorado’s Front Range, where she developed a deep connection with the mountainous ecosystems that shapes her worldview. Sydney earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology and Environmental Sustainability from Colorado State University, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding both human and environmental systems that sparked her curiosity about melding our modern culture with ecology for a better world. During Sydney’s free time she enjoys “rollicing”—a blend of running and frolicing through the wilds, always on the lookout for beaver activity and other fascinating wildlife signs. She is captivated by exploring ecosystems, noticing the intricacies of the natural world that often go unnoticed. She also loves to read, craft, participate in various outdoor activities and watch youtube videos about said natural world.