Passion for exploration –

About Roseann & Jonathan Hanson

Born and raised in southern Arizona, we are both writers, photographers, artists, biologists, and explorers. We are curious humans who love nature, the visual arts, the written word, and above all, we love to learn.

We are constantly reading, exploring new ideas, new crafts, new skills. 

We are founders of Overland Expo, a do-it-yourself adventure travel event (we sold the event to Lodestone Events at the end of 2018, and remain Directors Emeritus and instructors). We also founded ConserVentures.org, a charity which is dedicated to promoting exploration of the world and conservation of its natural and cultural heritage.

We met and married in 1984, and have worked as resident naturalists and caretakers for U.S. Fish and Wildlife at Brown Canyon in Arizona’s Baboquivari Mountains; managed a guest ranch / nature lodge in the Chiricahua Mountains; taught dozens of nature and writing workshops; lead safaris in Kenya and Tanzania; and explored five continents together. 

In the 1980s and early 1990s we both studied at the University of Arizona, under many renowned field ecologists, solidifying our passion for fieldwork and science. 

Our co-authored books include Southern Arizona Nature Almanac,  Basic Essentials: Animal Tracking, National Park Tours of the Southwest, Desert Dogs, The Ragged Mountain Guide to Outdoor Sports, which won a national book award, and 50 Common Reptiles and Amphibians of the Southwest, which won a National Park Service award for Interpretive Excellence. Jonathan has collaborated with Tom Sheppard on a reprint of the seminal Vehicle-dependent Expedition Guide, which we sell. (For a full bibliography, please see our Portfolio page.)

For over 10 years Ravenrock was our retreat, art studio, and home, located in the middle of nowhere near the Mexico border. We lived off-the-grid, using solar and wind power, satellite and cell phones, and built a tiny home and studio from recycled and sustainable materials.

We also own a house in one of Tucson’s oldest, classic neighborhoods north of the Arizona Inn, and in 2021 we decided to transition from Ravenrock to Fairbanks, Alaska, where we bought a 1938 log cabin called Ravenshouse, and we spend at least half the year there, sometimes getting it backwards, enjoying winter at 40 below in Alaska, and summer at 110 degrees in the Sonoran Desert.

Curious about our lives and philosophies? Here are some recent podcasts on which both or one of us was featured:

Roseann & Jonathan on the Adventure Mindset Podcast with Tania and Adam on Spotify or Apple Podcast.

Roseann on the Drawing Inspiration Podcast with Mike Hendley

Roseann on the Citizen J Podcast with Jillian Rebecca

Please contact us at info at exploringoverland dot com.

Because of increased phone spamming, we had to take our number offline.

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