Our Guides
谷萩 真樹 Masaki Yahagi
Ecotourism Consultant & Environmental Interpreter
Nature Guide Training Instructor, Eco-tourism and Eco-tour Consultant
Masaki Yahagi is Natura Ecotours' Japanese and English language speaking tour guide who was born in Tokyo, 1976. His previous experience includes time as campaign staff for the international environment NGO, "Greenpeace Japan" working on the reduction of pollution and climate change. He has experience also as a gym and swimming instructor. At the Australian National University he completed an Environmental Science degree, studying Biology, forest science, soil science, geology, climate, management and protection of ecology and wildlife. In 2003 he received the ANU's Environmental Achievement Award.
He has extensive experience in volunteering activities and as a National Park guide. He has been serving as a nature guide for the Gold Coast region since 2003. In 2004 he began work with JTB and the Kinki Nippon Tourism travel agency and is an expert tour guide for Fraser Island tours. In 2006, he partnered with other environmental professionals to create the Natura Ecotours tour company on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
For an introduction of Natura's ecotourism activities, visit Masaki's Japanese language weblog at masakie11.space.live.com
Kieran Richardt - Sustainable Development Consultant & Educational Program Coordinator
Sustainable Development Consultant and Environmental Program Coordinator.
Kieran Richardt is a sustainable tourism, environmental education and community engagement consultant for Natura Consulting. Kieran has a background in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology and Ecotourism.
Kieran is an avid naturalist and has worked on and co-ordinated conservation projects in North Queensland, Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand and Indonesia. Kieran uses his passion for teaching and community engagement to direct sustainable development as a tool for conservation. This approach has facilitated the development of a collaborative framework towards the conservation of both natural and cultural assets.
