Cody Bliss

Cody’s love for the outdoors began in southwestern Pennsylvania where he grew up exploring the creeks, backroads and rolling hills of the Laurel Highlands. Along the way he discovered a passion for the ocean and a desire to experience a different sliver of our world. This journey led him to receive a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in marine science from Lock Haven University. It was during this time that Cody would discover experiential education programs through his role with the AmeriCorps collegiate program and summer internships at Chincoteague Bay Field Station. Environmental education remained a passion for Cody, however, he was determined to pursue research and continued his education at Nova Southeastern University where he received a master’s degree in Coral Reef Ecology and Coastal Zone Management from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. After graduation, Cody spent countless hours underwater scuba diving and conducting research in various sectors including state government, academia and environmental consulting. Increasing travel opportunities during this time fueled a passion for exploration and eventually led to the founding of Beyond the Map, an adventure travel company for university and high school students. This venture reignited his love and desire to share natural spaces and experiential learning opportunities with students. Parallel to operating his company, Cody has worked as an adjunct professor, the communications coordinator for Oregon Sea Grant and and was most recently the program director for Adventures Without Limits in Oregon where he managed outdoor adaptive recreation programs for under-resourced communities. When not working, Cody can be found getting a dose of nature therapy while mountain biking, rock climbing or backpacking with his wife and their newest addition, River, and their two senior beagle pups.