Andy Blair

About Andy Blair

Andy completed his NOLS Instructors Course in 1992 and his Wilderness Medicine Instructor Training Course in 2001. He has acquired over 250 weeks in the field and taught over 50 Wilderness Medicine courses. He is known for being very consistent in his work. Field work includes mountaineering, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, winter camping, canyoneering, whitewater canoeing, outdoor educator and instructor courses. Wilderness medicine courses include Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, and Wilderness First Responder Recertification courses. He maintains a National Registry EMT certification. He has a reputation for being reliable and not overreacting in stressful situations. His team learns from his approach to problem solving. He only tries to influence what he has influence over, and does not get bogged down in what he can’t control. He does not blame anyone for anything, always seeing the best in people and approaches problems by giving students, instructors and peers the benefit of the doubt. In addition to his field/classroom work, he has served as a Program Supervisor and a Program Manager at the school. In his current position, he has built and strengthened working relationships with 30 different land managers across the BLM, Park Service and Forest Service. He has permitting oversight that spans 7 states and accounts for approximately service days on public lands. His belief in the transformative student experience at NOLS drives his administrative work. He remains committed to doing whatever is necessary to provide NOLS students with this powerful experience. Over the last decade, he has been the driving force in acquiring additional service days for NOLS students on the Shoshone National Forest, the Bighorn National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. He has reestablished NOLS’ use on the Ashley National Forest and acquired service days on both the Dixie National Forest and St. George BLM Field Office.

Experience

1. Wilderness Medicine Instructor

   Nols Wilderness Medicine

   Sep 2001 — Present

Education

• McGill University

  Bachelor's degree, Philosophy

  1987 — 1991

Skills

• Curriculum Design
• Curriculum Development
• Leadership Development
• Experiential Education
• Conflict Resolution
• Environmental Education
• Public Speaking
• Program Coordination
• Team Facilitation
• Nonprofits
• Outdoor Education
• Outdoor Recreation
• Community Outreach
• Adult Education
• Program Development
• Workshop Facilitation
• Teaching
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Volunteer Management
• Program Evaluation