Driven by his passion for the environment, Charles Post emerged as both an ecologist and outdoorsman, embarking on an educational journey at U.C. Berkeley that led to his B.S. and Masters degrees in Ecology. Seamlessly blending his scientific expertise with artistic pursuits, Charles has fostered a dynamic connection between his academic background and creative ventures, evident in his captivating podcast, acclaimed films, and evocative photography.
Hello! I’m Charles Post, a U.C. Berkeley trained ecologist with a passion for wildlife and wild places. I’m also a filmmaker, podcast host, environmental activist, and lead a sustainability & CSR brand strategy consulting company. I grew up in northern California amongst the redwood trees and Pacific Ocean, where I fell in love with surfing and adventure. A year and a half ago, my wife, Rachel, and I sold our small farm outside of Yellowstone National Park in Montana and moved with our Samoyed, Knute, and cat, Hannah, across the world into a cabin on the Lofoten Islands in the Norwegian arctic.
What do you love about GORE-TEX products?
GORE-TEX products allow me to access and immerse myself in places where weather rules the day. Snow, wind and rain can make certain places nearly inaccessible. And yet with durable, long lasting GORE-TEX gear, I’m able to not just visit these places but experience them—take my time and develop the kind of connections that allows one to, as I say, “shake hands with the place.” This connection is what inspires me as an adventurer, informs my work as a creative and scientist, and gives me purpose as I seek opportunities to help protect our home planet facing this ecological and climate crisis.
What is your favorite place and why?
I will always love my time living and working at a remote research station on the South Fork Eel River in northern California. I was in my early 20s, had just graduated from university with a degree in ecology, and took a job that changed my life. I moved into a small tent, and later an off-grid cabin powered by the sun and warmed by a small stove. This is where I began working as a field scientist studying trees, frogs, birds, algae and fish. This is a place filled with old growth forests, wild streams with water so clean you can drink while you swim amongst salmon and trout. Spotted owls still nest in the crowns of 2,500 year old redwoods and eagles, bears, mountain lions and otters still thrive. Living there was like stepping back in time to a place where the fabric of nature was still very much intact. For three years, I lived, worked and conducted research here, and it’s a time I’ll always cherish, one that inspired me to continue my research in graduate school and craft a career as a scientist, adventurer and creative.
What are your hobbies besides your main passion?
I love surfing cold + remote waves, archery, growing and harvesting my own food, exploring old growth forests, birdwatching, trail running, hiking mountains in wild places, Nordic skiing and backcountry snowboarding.
What else is on your bucket list?
I would love to spend more time documenting wildlife in Alaska, experience Iceland and Greenland, go snorkeling with orcas, and grow a garden at our cabin here in Lofoten.
What are your personal words of wisdom; what would you like to share with the world?
We are part of nature, not separate from. Take the time to cultivate a relationship with nature. In time, you’ll learn more than just the names of your favorite plants and animals – you’ll know what they do, why they are the way they are, and what makes them so special. It’s then that you’ll be best suited to help save them. We protect what we love. If we can grow relationships of love with nature then we capable of doing great things to protect, celebrate and save nature. Our planet needs this more than ever before!
Which three words describe yourself?
Curious, passionate and happy
What one item should never be missing when you’re on top of a mountain?
My trusty binoculars.
A Part of Nature
Snow, wind and rain can make certain places nearly inaccessible. And yet with durable, long lasting GORE-TEX gear, I’m able to not just visit these places but experience them—take my time and develop the kind of connections that allows one to, as I say, “shake hands with the place.”
