Meet the Team
Phoenix Lester - Co-Founder
Phoenix grew up on the Welsh borders where he developed an early passion in the natural world. He has a particular interest in restoring biodiversity in productive landscapes, blurring the boundaries between nature and modern society.
After studying Conservation Biology and Ecology at the University of Exeter in Cornwall he has continued to nurture his passion for the outdoors and conservation, from renovating a wooden sailboat and sailing to Scotland, to tracking bonobos for a year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He now hopes to apply himself to rewilding initiatives in the UK, and continues to develop his outdoor guiding qualifications to further broaden the scope within Wild Rivers.
Sam (Smiley) Baldwin - Co-Founder
Growing up between the UK and Oman, Smiley has been immersed in a diverse variety of ecosystems, from temperate rainforests to tropical reefs. His passions lie in community led conservation work, creating environments for healthy coexistence between humans and wildlife and fostering people's connection to their native landscapes.
His love for the outdoors and conservation have taken him around the globe, teaching street children to surf in South Africa, radiotracking baboons in the bushveld, and observing marine mammals in the Arabian Sea. Smiley graduated with a degree in Zoology from the University of Exeter in Cornwall and now brings his passion and enthusiasm to the Wild Rivers to help inspire the next generation.
A passionate educator and believer of learning through immersion, Smiley has been a part of a variety of ecological education projects across different landscapes across the globe. As a keen forager, climber and freediver he hopes to bring aspects of these passions into Wild Rivers trips and expeditions.
