Wandering Wild was started by Amy Long, a mother of six, guide, naturalist, and lifelong adventurer with a vision to make the outdoors a space where all women feel empowered, capable, and truly welcomed. Amy's passion for nature was ignited during childhood family vacations to National Parks and summers at Girl Scout camp. At just 12 years old, she learned to backpack on a segment of the Appalachian Trail, developing a deep appreciation for wildlife and adventure. After living in various states across the U.S., Amy and her children spent time traveling full-time in an RV before settling in Buffalo, NY, in 2017. ​ Following her divorce in 2019, Amy began a journey of self-discovery in the wilderness, finding strength and healing in the mountains. She took extensive camping trips with her children throughout the U.S. and Canada, solo backpacked, and adventured with friends—embracing the mantra "we do hard things." ​ In 2020, she returned to school to study Environmental Studies, earning her Bachelor of Science in 2024 from the University at Buffalo. Along the way, she earned certifications in Wilderness First Aid, became a certified Wilderness First Responder, achieved professional Lifeguarding certification, and became a licensed New York State DEC Guide (#9756). ​ In her spare time, Amy seeks adventure in various forms with her six wild and wonderful kids.

Growing up, Jenn Crane found her happiest moments in the forest, spending every spare minute exploring creeks, trails, and wild spaces. That early love for nature shaped her life path, leading her to earn a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education and a master’s in Science and Science Education. Today, Jenn channels that same passion into her full-time career as a high school science teacher, where she incorporates outdoor education and project-based learning whenever possible. Her goal in the classroom is the same as on the trail—helping others build curiosity, confidence, and a deep connection to the natural world. Jenn is a New York State–certified guide in hiking, camping, and fishing, with over five years of experience leading groups on overnight backpacking adventures, day hikes, and paddling excursions throughout Western New York. Whether she’s teaching students, coaching first-time campers, or leading seasoned adventurers, Jenn aims to encourage and empower others to discover their own love for nature. She hopes everyone she guides can experience the calming, grounding, and genuinely transformative benefits that time outdoors has to offer.

Jen’s love for nature began as a young girl, by collecting shiny rocks in her pockets and always wondering where that path into the trees might lead. That simple curiosity grew into a deep desire for adventure, which truly took root when she spent the two summers after high school living and working in Yosemite National Park. There she got to hike her first mountain, the iconic Half Dome. Driven by a passion for understanding the Earth, she pursued degrees in Geology, GIS, and Earth Science. Today, she lives with curiosity at the heart of everything she does, always seeking beauty in the ordinary and magic in the everyday. An avid hiker and explorer, she finds joy in discovering new trails, landscapes, and perspectives—for every path leads to something worth experiencing, learning, and appreciating. She believes that nature truly has the power to heal through offering peace, connection, and understanding by reminding us of our place in something vast and beautiful.