• Brian Wallace

    Naturalist & Field Guide in North Lake Tahoe

    Immersive experiences exploring the ecology, plants, and wildlife of the Sierra Nevada.

    I am a naturalist, educator, and field guide based in Alpine Meadows, California. I help people develop a deeper relationship with the living world through immersive experiences in the Sierra Nevada, serving the greater Truckee and North Lake Tahoe region.

    My work is grounded in natural history, with a focus on the relationships between plants, animals, and the landscapes they inhabit. I’ve spent much of my life studying ecology and plant chemistry, which shape how I understand local forest ecosystems. I also have a deep interest in animal behavior and the subtle ways their presence is revealed across the landscape—through pattern, movement, and sign. I’ve spent my life exploring California’s wild landscapes, from the Central Coast to the Sierra Nevada I now call home.

    Today, I lead naturalist experiences throughout the Tahoe region, working with individuals, families, small groups, as well as local adventure companies and educational organizations. I also collaborate with community partners to support environmental and youth education, and contribute to public-facing health and learning initiatives through Wild Rose Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit I co-founded with my wife, Dr. Elena Roemer, L.Ac. in 2025.

  • education & field work

    I work across a range of educational settings, with a focus on ecology, natural history, and human relationships with the land. I also design hands-on culinary experiences rooted in the natural world, from mixology to chocolate making and beyond.

    Co-Founder & Programs Director

    Wild Rose Medicine - a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Tahoe City, CA

    Through affordable integrative healthcare treatments, ethnobotanical education, and community-based programs, Wild Rose Medicine honors botanical knowledge systems and cultivates meaningful connections between people, plants, and place—nurturing the health and resilience of our local North Lake Tahoe community.

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    Naturalist & Hiking Guide

    Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley CA

    Palisades Tahoe recently expanded their offerings at High Camp, the destination of the aerial tram that brings guests up to 8,200' in elevation from the base village. From there, I take guests on guided naturalist hikes and shared my passion for the natural history of the area, the history of the resort, and of course - plant and animal stories, science, and lore.

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    Wildcrafted Cocktails & Mixology

    ForageSF, San Francisco CA

    As a former instructor at ForageSF, I taught students and workshop attendees how to identify wild plants & weeds, harvest them sustainably, and use them to craft their own cocktail bitters, syrups, vermouths, and more. We made delicious drinks, smelled & tasted wild plants, and had a great time doing it.

  • work with me

    Whether you’re looking to explore the Sierra more deeply, plan something memorable, or bring meaningful outdoor education to a group, I offer a range of ways to work together.

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    Guided Naturalist Experiences

    Slow down and see what’s around you.

    I lead private and small-group experiences exploring the ecology, plants, and wildlife of the Sierra Nevada. These outings are designed to deepen observation, understanding, and connection to the landscape.

    Experiences can take the form of hiking, snowshoeing, or backcountry trips, depending on the season, terrain, and your interests.

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    Group & Educational Programs

    Field-based learning rooted in real connection to place.

    I work with schools, camps, and organizations to create field-based learning experiences that are hands-on, engaging, and rooted in real connection to place.

    Programs are tailored to each group, with a focus on natural history, ecological awareness, and building comfort and curiosity in the outdoors.

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    Custom Experiences

    Designed around your group, your interests, and the season.

    If you’re planning something special, I design custom experiences for retreats, events, bachelor and bachelorette gatherings, and other small groups.

    These can range from naturalist-guided outings to plant- and animal-focused experiences, or more sensory and culinary explorations—drawing from my background in food, plants, and chemistry.

    A custom group experience might include a morning bird meditation and tea or cacao ceremony, identifying and collecting wild edible plants in the afternoon, and ending the day making handmade chocolates or craft cocktails together from what you’ve gathered.

    If something here resonates, feel free to reach out—I am happy to talk through ideas and availability.

  • chocolate alchemy

    my life between 2012-2024

    In 2012, I founded Endorfin Foods, a chocolate company focused on plant-based ingredients, sensory experience, and regenerative sourcing, and led its development for over a decade.

    During that time, I developed the world's first coconut milk chocolate bar and helped introduce ceremonial cacao to the United States. I also created the first chocolate CSA, connecting cacao producers directly with customers across the country. My work received multiple industry awards and recognition within the craft chocolate movement.

    In addition to my work at my own company, I formulated and managed manufacturing for a range of botanical and medicinal mushroom-centric chocolate products, including collaborations with Paul Stamets and Host Defense.

    I stepped away from my company in 2024, and continue to collaborate with and recommend everything made by Coracao Confections, the companies' new operator. I continue to work selectively in this field, including current collaborations supporting clinical research using whole-mushroom psilocybin formulations with Scottsdale Research Institute.

  • past work

    before chocolate, and before my work as a naturalist

    Foraging & Chocolate Making

    My study of plants, fungi, & humanities' relationship with the natural world has fascinated me as long as I can remember. I was honored to be featured by the folks at Symbiosis Gathering as a living example of a person embodying the concept of symbiosis. In this clip you'll see a short glimpse into my former life as a chocolate wizard, from foraging edible pine pollen to crafting the next batch of chocolate in my laboratory.

    Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

    I spent four amazing years with this cutting edge organization. I helped the org grow from a handful of employees working in an attic to the internationally recognized vanguard of psychedelic science that it is today. I produced charity events and conferences, carried out educational and marketing campaigns, organized communities & volunteer programs, established a social media presence that has reached millions of individuals worldwide, and raised countless dollars for research, education, and administration.

     

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  • get email from me

    as of 2026, i am sending out less than half a dozen email newsletters annually

  • i am on an indefinite break from social media, so please contact me via one of the methods below

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