At Encounters North, we are committed to keeping Richard Nelson’s voice and vision alive in the world. Your contributions help to fund ongoing projects such as new and classic Encounters videos, podcasts and writings featuring Richard.
We’re partnering with Sitka Conservation Society, a 501(c) 3 organization, so your contributions to Encounters projects are tax deductible. DONATE
This Week’s Encounters
Featured Video
The Singing Planet
The earth offers an exquisitely rich wild chorus—for those who listen. Join natural sounds recordists Richard Nelson & Hank Lentfer for an unforgettable immersion in these wild voices and the places that give rise to them. For tickets and an updated list of screenings: www.thewildchorus.org
Classic Audio Encounters
ice
Join Richard under a full moon, gliding along on the ice of Swan Lake, in this rediscoverd “lost” episode!
“Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough.”
- George Washington Carver-
Did you hear that?
River and Ice
Listen to the music of water and candle ice.
(Recorded by Richard Nelson, near the Dalton Highway, AK.)
Explore the world of Encounters
Audio recordings of classic Encounters programs
Find out more about the fascinating subjects on Encounters
Check out Wild Encounters videos
Our Team
Richard Nelson
The life and legacy of Richard Nelson inspires everything we do at Encounters North. The wildly enthusiastic writer and host of Encounters: Radio Experiences of the North, and Encounters and Salmon World videos and feature articles, Richard regarded exploring the wilds with a microphone (and camera) as the perfect combination of play and work (plurk!), with the serious goal of educating people about our natural heritage. A cultural anthropologist and creative nonfiction writer whose work focused on human relationships to the natural world, Richard was the author of several important books, including Hunters of the Northern Ice, Make Prayers to the Raven, The Island Within and Heart and Blood: Living with Deer in America.
Liz McKenzie
Liz McKenzie is the video producer for Encounters North and Salmon World, in addition to writing feature articles and shorts on all things wild. Her favorite part of being on the Encounters team is traveling to some of the most fabulous places on earth like the Brooks Range in northern Alaska and Tasmania --the island state to the south of mainland Australia-- and sharing her passion for nature and conservation with audiences in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia. For Liz, filming animals in the wild is absolute bliss… when they are willing! An award-winning writer and filmmaker, Liz's work focuses on the nature, science and traditional ecological knowledge of Alaska.
Hank Lentfer
Hank Lentfer is a life-long Alaskan who lives at the edge of Glacier Bay National Park. He’s an avid outdoorsman, subsistence hunter, fisherman, and conservationist, who loves recording natural sounds and exploring wild country with his camera. A biologist by training, Hank currently works as a recordist and part-time land steward for The Nature Conservancy. He is the author of Faith of Cranes: Finding Hope and Family in Alaska and Raven’s Witness: The Alaska Life of Richard K. Nelson. His favorite part of being on the Encounters team is raging around in pursuit of anything wild.
Lisa Busch
Lisa Busch is the executive producer of Encounters: Radio Experiences of the North. Currently she is Executive Director of the Sitka Sound Science Center, where she oversees, develops and institutes research and science education programs, working with a team of scientists and science enthusiasts. An awarding-winning science and environmental journalist and radio producer, Lisa has reported on Alaska environmental and science issues for Science, Popular Mechanics, Bioscience and Discovery magazines, and has produced several radio series in addition to Encounters, including Alaska Women in Science and Common Knowledge: Western Science and Native Knowledge, which aired internationally. Her favorite part of Encounters is when Richard says, “Holy Mackerel!”
