Diego Lobatos, a sophomore at the University of Wyoming, is working toward a career as an outdoor guide, according to an April 16 announcement. Lobatos, who grew up in Lander near the Wind River Mountains and Sinks Canyon State Park, is enrolled in the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Program within UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.
Lobatos said his upbringing gave him easy access to nature and shaped his passion for exploring the outdoors. “One thing I love about my hometown is that Lander is right at the base of the Wind River Mountains,” Lobatos said. “It’s super easy to get into the mountains and the backcountry. My favorite part is having such easy access to explore nature.”
He credits UW’s program for providing hands-on experiences that help prepare students for careers related to natural resources. “The most surprising and exciting thing I’ve experienced is how much I’ve gotten to travel and explore with the Haub School,” he said. “With some of my classes, we get to go out into the real world a lot, and getting to see the things we learn about in person is really incredible.”
Lobatos also highlighted faculty support as key to his academic experience: “A big part of having such a good college experience is having amazing professors and advisers who set you up for success,” he said. He added that networking opportunities have helped him explore different avenues related to guiding.
The Haub School has produced over 1,200 alumni since 1996 across government, private industry, nonprofits, and education sectors in Wyoming. The school supports research funding annually and offers programs such as fieldwork opportunities through its centers and institutes.
Programs like Wyoming Conservation Corps have trained young adults since 2021 while other initiatives connect people statewide with wildlife education or facilitate collaborative solutions on resource challenges. Scholarship programs like Tomé Scholars provide financial support alongside experiential learning focused on environmental issues.
