About Us

Evan Riggs - A lifelong nature lover, Evan finds his greatest satisfaction in spending time in the great outdoors. Whether it's skiing the slopes of Vermont, California, or Nevada in winter, or spending summer nights on wilderness survival camping trips in the green mountains, Evan has acquired the skills and knowledge to live comfortably off the land. One motivation factor that drives Evan outside on a regular basis is that each experience is unique; no two days are ever alike. Observing subtle changes in the natural world allows Evan to continue learning and enjoying each moment in the wilderness.
A 2011 Johnson State College graduate, Evan has a B.A. in Business Management.

Mike Ather - Born in a small town in Vermont, then raised in the ever overspreading Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC., Mike Ather developed a love for nature at an early age and became alarmed at the unintentional disregard for natural diversity as he watched urban expansionism simplify complex natural ecosystems into concrete, asphalt, and "weed free lawns."
Receiving a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont in 1976, Mike is now fulfilling a lifelong dream of encouraging and promoting "backyard natural diversity" for the health and well-being of all inhabitants of the earth, plant and animal, (including humans,) through the activities of Backyardwilderness.com.