Peter English grew up birding alongside Victor Emanuel and other VENT leaders, experiences that inspired a lifelong commitment to birds, conservation, and education. As one of the inaugural leaders of VENT’s youth birding camps, he helped shape programs that introduced countless young people to the natural world. Over the following 25 years, Peter led roughly 150 tours throughout the United States, Central America, and South America, earning a reputation for both expertise and mentorship.

Peter earned his Ph.D. studying mixed-species bird flocks in Amazonian Ecuador and has been recognized as both a Fulbright Scholar and a Watson Fellow. His research and recordings have contributed to several bird call collections produced with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Beyond guiding, he has dedicated his career to rainforest conservation, ecotourism, and education—building lodges, consulting internationally, and working in 28 countries.

Since returning to Austin, Peter has served as a professor at the University of Texas, teaching ornithology and other biology courses, and as executive director of a large professional society. Today, he brings his deep field experience and global perspective to his leadership role at Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, helping guide the company’s continued excellence in nature travel.