Hillary Joy Pitoniak

Hillary Joy grew up in the foothills of the Adirondacks and comes from a long line of guides and trackers who originally settled the mountains. She has had a profound love for nature since she was a little girl and was first inspired to live off the land when she read “My Side of the Mountain” in 6th grade. She graduated from SUNY Fredonia with degrees in Biology and Philosophy and has done extensive research on the ecology and plants of Mount Saint Helens, as well as the rainforest in Costa Rica where she spent time living. Hillary Joy currently works as an Experiential Educator at Hamilton College, working both for the Biology and Outdoor Leadership departments. She is also a practicing herbalist and community educator. Her passion for nature is only paralleled by her desire to co-create a loving and Earth-conscious community wherever she goes.