Sharon Guynup: A Journey Through Nature and Narrative

As an environmental journalist, Sharon Guynup is passionate about wildlife and ecosystems. Her journey began not in the newsroom, but through the lens of a camera. As a photographer focused on people and culture, she went to Turkey on a Fulbright scholarship, where she explored the complexities of women’s roles in a society balancing ancient traditions and modernity. Guynup recalls spending time with nomadic shepherds and watching teenage boys tend to their flocks while listening to Western rock music. She connected with women and children, sharing moments in traditional hammams, where the heat from the steam baths mingled with laughter and the warmth of community. “It was an incredible experience,” she said, and one that expanded her understanding of the human relationship with nature. These moments ignited a growing love for the natural world, which would later transition to her focus on environmental journalism.  

Several years later, a new chapter began in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Accompanying her partner, wildlife photographer Steve Winter, on a project exploring the search for new drugs derived from rainforest biodiversity, Guynup found herself immersed in the country’s dense ecosystems. For two and a half months, they traveled in a minivan with their five-year-old son, delving into the heart of the rainforest. Working alongside seasoned biologists who treated the rainforest as their own backyard, Guynup discovered hidden wonders: tarantulas nestled in tree crevices and red-eyed tree frogs camouflaged beneath leaves. “Their passion and knowledge for the rainforest were infectious,” she says of the spark that led her into graduate studies in environmental science and journalism. “As a kid, I was always an animal nut,” she adds. Her path into environmental journalism felt like a natural evolution.  

...the experience at the Wilson Center helped her consider the broader implications of her reporting through a public policy lens.

A central moment in her career came with the investigation of the Tiger Temple in Thailand. What started as a project on wildlife tourism turned into a discovery of illegal trafficking and exploitation. More than a year of reporting revealed the realities behind the revered site, where the closure revealed shocking evidence of breeding and mistreatment. “It didn’t feel like a victory at all.” Yet, this experience transformed her from a wildlife reporter into an investigative journalist committed to spreading awareness around wildlife conservation and encouraging global discourse.  

In response to the challenges facing journalism today, Guynup co-founded Big Cat Voices, a nonprofit focused on advocating for big cats and their habitats. “Journalism is changing significantly,” she says, highlighting the need for innovative funding models to support meaningful reporting. Their current project centers on the last Asiatic lions in Gujarat, India, bringing urgent attention to the challenges posed by a changing climate.  

Her time at the Wilson Center fortified Guynup’s understanding of environmental issues. Joining as a global fellow in March 2016, she researched environmental regulations and the influence of lobbying on harmful practices. “The expertise of my colleagues shifted my perspective,” she explains, observing how the experience at the Wilson Center helped her consider the broader implications of her reporting through a public policy lens.   

For those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Guynup offers valuable advice: “It all comes down to storytelling. You must engage hearts and minds to inspire action.” She believes that while not every narrative has a clear lead character, the art of storytelling is crucial in conveying the urgency of conservation, or whatever issue being studied. Looking ahead, she hopes to leave a legacy that motivates collective action for the planet. “We’ve exploited the Earth to alarming degrees,” she says, and through her work, seeks not only to inform but also to inspire. 

This blog post was researched and drafted by Marzia Zunino.