Leo Keeler

Leo Keeler was born in Bisbee, Arizona and began to explore as soon as he could walk. At the age of nine he took his first solo overnight backpacking trip. Leo obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Land Management from Northern Arizona University in 1972. While working in Whitefish, Montana in 1979, he met wildlife photographer Danny On, who hooked him on photography.

Leo moved to Alaska to work for the Chugach National Forest in 1981. In 1985, accompanied by friend, Keith Giezentanner, he made his first trip to McNeil River. They took hundreds of still photographs and six hours of video footage. While cutting and splicing the video to send a copy to his parents, he decided to make and market a video called, Alaskan Brown Bears at McNeil River. The video focused on the bear's interaction, communication systems, dominance and basic life cycle. When the video market got saturated in 1988, Leo shifted to still photography. He met his wife Dorothy in 1988 and they developed a wildlife photography business together. His images have appeared in National Geographic, Smithsonian, Newsweek, Time, Life, Alaska Magazine and many other publications.

Leo and Dorothy joined Friends of McNeil in the start-up stage and have been very active in its development and subsequent battles. Leo's background in forest management, and of McNeil River and understand the threats that it faces. He served on the Citizens Advisory Committee during the legal and legislative battles that resulted in the establishment of the McNeil River State Game Refuge and the enlargement of the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. He has served as Chairman of Friends of McNeil River for four years, while Dorothy has served as Newsletter Editor. Leo was the spokesperson for the organization on the two CBS "Eye On America" specials that highlighted the "Flood the Hunt" campaign.

Though threats to the area will always be occurring, Leo hopes that Friends of McNeil River can begin to spend more time and energy on helping game managers understand the needs of the McNeil River bears, and bears in general. McNeil River can demonstrate to the world how humans and potentially dangerous animals can learn to co-exist in harmony.