About Us
Tributary Research Consulting offers high-quality scientific consultation for industry, academia, management, and tribal organizations to accomplish their environmental objectives. Based out of Fairbanks, Alaska, we specialize in environmental research, monitoring and restoration, GIS analysis and mapping, and field/bear safety training. We provide a personalized approach to provide sound scientific advice and attainable solutions for your environmental needs.
Our mission is to blend scientific rigor with practical applications to conserve and develop Alaska’s resources responsibly. We prioritize efficiency in all our work, providing affordable solutions and timely results. From environmental research to geospatial analysis and safety training, Tributary Research Consulting provides expert, science-based solutions to navigate environmental challenges with confidence.
About the business
Will Samuel is a lifelong Alaskan with a passion for research and responsible management of Alaska’s natural resources. He spent years in the field as a backcountry and fishing guide before transitioning to the natural sciences. Will founded Tributary Research Consulting in 2023 to provide efficient, affordable, and effective scientific consulting services to improve fish and wildlife management and the sustainable development of Alaska’s natural resources. He has a diverse set of scientific skills, which includes field planning and logistics, data collection and manipulation, analysis, figure generation, and writing scientific reports and grant-supported funding proposals. Will’s primary research interests are freshwater fish ecology and biology, life history, behavior, species interactions, and geospatial and remote sensing research. He also has interests and experience in a broad range of topics, including wildlife research and management (particularly about beavers), wildfire effects on ecosystems, broader topics such as stream restorations, technology research and development, and more. By working with a network of scientists and colleagues with their own individual specialties, he is confident that Tributary Research Consulting can help you accomplish your management and research goals.
Will pulls from a broad range of experience to develop his training courses and deliver them to a wide variety of individuals. He has over 4000 hours of experience in firearms training, teaching, coaching, and supervision alongside various instructors. His bear and field safety courses are developed from a combination of scientific evidence and his numerous personal experiences. His time as a guide, hunter, and Wilderness Search and Rescue volunteer informs his perspective on field safety, bear defense, emergency response, and medical care in the backcountry.
About the owner
Qualifications:
Master of Science in Fisheries – University of Alaska Fairbanks
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management – University of Alaska Fairbanks
Certified Fisheries Professional – American Fisheries Society
NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
NASAR SAR Tech II, certified Incident Commander, and prior Training Chief at Interior Alaska Wilderness Search and Rescue
Wilderness First Responder (NASAR) and Emergency Trauma Technician (SOA)
Alaska DNR Boater Safety Instructor
Key Staff
Jonah Bacon
Fish Biologist — Field Operations Lead — Bear Guard
Jonah began his research career in Wisconsin before moving North, where he has built extensive experience working throughout remote Alaska. He has led long-term fish community monitoring efforts in Prudhoe Bay, including completing his Master’s research on Beaufort Sea whitefish diets, using stable isotopes extracted from eye lenses to reconstruct lifetime feeding histories. Additionally, Jonah has contributed to marine and freshwater research and management of commercial fisheries in Homer, Alaska. This work included a wide variety of environmental sampling, including installing and monitoring weirs, backpack electrofishing, otolith port sampling, and creating a specialized R-shiny app to integrate live in-season data into a manager dashboard to assist with real-time management decisions.
Alongside his scientific background, Jonah brings substantial expertise in remote logistics. He has planned and executed field operations for projects statewide—transporting critical gear, establishing and managing remote camps, and working directly with clients to support mineral exploration and scientific research in remote environments.
In his free time, Jonah is an avid dog musher who offers scenic tours and competes in long-distance races across Alaska.
Qualifications:
Master of Science in Fisheries – University of Alaska Fairbanks
Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior – University of Minnesota
Aidan Hunter
Wildlife Biologist — Bear Guard
Aidan was born and raised in Alaska and has close to a decade of experience as a wildlife biologist in Alaska. His background includes research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a career at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, where his work has involved monitoring and managing wildlife populations. His key skill sets include aerial surveys of ungulate populations, capture and sedation of big game, and a wide variety of technical research to support big game management across the Interior.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology – University of Alaska Fairbanks
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