Joel Pontius, Ph.D.
Environmental Consultant
Joel brings 15 years of experience in educational leadership, program and professional
development, and expertise in place-based learning. He has served in director and professor
roles in leading environmental and sustainability education organizations and higher education
institutions. He holds a Ph.D. in Science Education and M.S. in Natural Science from the
University of Wyoming.
Joel first encountered EPI through a director role with Teton Science School, where he had the
pleasure of collaborating with EPI instructors and staff on professional development initiatives.
He was impressed by EPI’s approach to local leadership development and the high quality
experiential, conservation education programming EPI provides for diverse participants.
As a passionate writer and naturalist, musician, former Yellowstone guide, and current father to
two daughters, he is inspired by wildness of many forms. Through providing support to EPI’s
work with emerging conservation leaders, he hopes to make a positive difference for current and
future generations on this miraculous living planet.