Who We Are
The Natural History Center was created by Rich MacDonald and Natalie Springuel. After a long incubation period, tracing back to their 2002 Gulf of Maine Expedition—a 5-month educational sea kayak journey following the 1,500-mile shore of the entire Gulf of Maine—The Natural History Center was hatched in 2010 with a mission to share our passion for the ecology and people of this region.
As a family-run business based out of Bar Harbor, Maine, we strive to make the natural world accessible and enjoyable by offering experiential opportunities in the field.
Today, we are fortunate in having a number of skilled guides and naturalist who are passionate about the natural world. They are educators, park rangers, field biologists, and genuinely nice people.
Rich MacDonald
Rich is a world-class naturalist whose travels have taken him on tours leading people as far away as Antarctica and Norway. He is a lifelong birder, guide, naturalist, field biologist, and writer. Drawing on his training and early career as an ornithologist, Rich leads nature and adventure tours that incorporate science, culture, and natural history. He focuses on Maine and Atlantic Canada but can also be found in the Great Lakes and on the high seas. A dedicated outdoor adventurer, Rich is a Registered Maine Guide, a Licensed New York Guide, and a Wilderness First Responder. Look for Rich outdoors with binoculars strapped over his shoulder as he listens for the birds.
Natalie Springuel
Natalie combines her passions for the marine environment and coastal heritage with her love of teaching and adventure to help people discover ocean and coastal environments. As a Master Maine Guide for sea kayaking and recreation, she has led thousands of visitors by land and by sea and is available to lead tours in French, as well as English. In addition to being a strategic partner in the business, Natalie holds a full-time position as a marine extension associate for the University of Maine’s Sea Grant College Program, focusing on the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources through research, outreach, and education.
Matt Haviland
Matt is an avid naturalist who found his passion for nature as a young boy searching for salamanders and watching birds in his backyard. A graduate of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine (USA), he has worked on dozens of wildlife research projects throughout the state and beyond. Matt is a registered Maine Guide, wilderness first responder, and holds a Track and Sign level 3 certification from CyberTracker Conservation. He currently lives in Seal Cove, Maine, with his wife, dog, and two cats.
Craig Kesselheim
Craig Kesselheim is a recently-retired educator living in Southwest Harbor, Maine, on Mount Desert Island. He has been birding ever since being hooked by a College of the Atlantic ornithology course in 1973. Craig birds and travels elsewhere in North America whenever possible but has called Maine home these past 25 years.
Maureen Fournier
Maureen is a seasonal ranger with Acadia National Park and a world traveler.