“My goal with this project was to introduce residents to the Blue Mountains, educate them and help them develop an appreciation for this unique place.”
—MIKE DENNY
Meet Mike Denny
Mike Denny, the narrator, is currently a teacher and naturalist and has contributed to many conservation organizations such as the Audubon Society. Mike also leads field trips for Blue Mountain Land Trust and the Washington Ornithological Society, has co-authored five books and has been a birder since age eight.
Mike grew up in southeastern Africa and, thanks to his parents, that is where he gained his deep appreciation for the natural world. Mike collected butterflies, birded and explored the bush with his many friends.
Upon his return to the USA, Mike took up drawing, photography, and exploring the natural history of western North America. He then moved to Walla Walla where he went to college to study biology, art and theology and has worked with youth at a behavioral modification program as a head counselor in Oregon. His wife of 35 years, MerryLynn, leads many field trips with him.
Mike worked for the USDA Forest Service on the Wallowa-Whitman NF and the Umatilla NF as a field biologist where he did data collection, studies and reports. He then worked for four Conservation Districts where he managed all the riparian restoration projects and public education presentations and wrote grants.
Mike has written dozens of articles for publications on natural history, co-authored seven books, and co-produced a film series:
• “The ABA birders Guide to Idaho” (illustrator) (1997)
• ”Birders Guide to Washington” (2003)
• “Where the Great River Bends: The Natural and Human History of the Columbia at Wallula” (2008)
• “Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies” (2008)
• “Birds of Interior BC and the Rockies” (2009)
• “Many Waters” (2015)
• “The Secret Life of the Forest: The Natural History of the Northern Blue Mountains” (2018)
• “The Blues: The Natural History of the Northern Blue Mountains” (2018)
Mike is the 2013 recipient of the Wib Wagoner Award for Conservation from the Tristate Steelheaders, The 2009 Audubon Washington Conservation Science Award, and the Conservationist of the Year Award 2008 from the Walla Walla County Conservation District. Mike was honored to be selected as Man of the Year 2019 by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Mike teaches at WWCC for the Adult Continuing Education Department and guest lectures at Whitman College and Walla Walla University on natural history, conservation of natural resources and avian ecology.
He is on the board of the Blue Mountain Audubon Society and the WWCC Quest Steering Committee, is board chair of Fort Walla Walla Museum Board of Directors, is on the City of College Place Historic Preservation Commission, and chairs the Blue Mountain Regional Community Health Partnership. He also works as a conservation consultant for the Blue Mountain Land Trust on Greater Sage Grouse restoration.
Daniel Biggs and his wife Robin
“We all have a relationship with the Northern Blue Mountains here in the Walla Walla Valley. We rely on its life-giving waters and the fresh air these mountains provide.”
—DANIEL BIGGS
Meet Daniel Biggs
Daniel grew up in the small Eastern Oregon town of La Grande. His childhood was spent hiking, camping, and exploring the Blue Mountains, Eagle Caps, and the Elkhorn Mountains. After receiving a Nikon camera from his father, a love of photography grew and Daniel went to the Art Institute of Seattle to further his knowledge of photography. He graduated with a degree in commercial photography, however the ceremony was held four days after the attack on September 11, 2001. It was a somber time and it became difficult to find work, so he juggled waiting tables and doing photography projects on the side.
Years later, Daniel moved to Bend, Oregon, and continued waiting tables and working on photography projects. While in Bend, he became an avid fly fisherman, and together with the help of his friends, created a fly fishing TV show called “The Art of Lake Fly Fishing” which was aired on the local cable provider—Bend Broadband.
Making a shift in day jobs, Daniel took a position in Walla Walla, Washington, as a real estate agent. After two years, Daniel then took a job as Production Manager for the local TV station, Blue Mountain Television. He began producing several TV programs for the station. It was during a filming session when Daniel met Mike Denny. Together, they began to work on a TV series called “Secret Life of the Forest, The Northern Blue Mountains.” This series was well received and was appreciated by many, leading them to more support and a bigger budget to begin production on yet another series: “Secret Life of the Desert, Deserts of the Pacific Northwest”.
Daniel has been awarded two bronze Telly Awards for his productions: one for a documentary, “The 1919 Walla Walla Tractor Show”, and one for “Secret Life of the Forest, The Northern Blue Mountains.”
“Even for those familiar with hiking or hunting in the mountains, this series offers a visually rich understanding of the natural systems in play there. The diversity of plants and animals and the often-fragile soils they rely on are a wonder.”
— WALLA WALLA UNION BULLETIN
