About
Alisha McDarris is a DIY contributor at Popular Science. She’s a travel lover and true outdoor enthusiast who enjoys showing friends, family, heck, even strangers, how to stay safe out there and enjoy more time in the wild. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, or road tripping.
Experience
Alisha has been writing for Popular Science since 2018, but she’s been working in journalism since 2005—ever since she got her start at small town papers right out of high school. These days, though, she focuses more on travel and outdoor content, such as deep dives into how wildlife crossings work to preserve endangered species, visitor guides for outdoorsy destinations, instructions on what to pack for a day hike, and what to do if you’re bitten by a snake.
In addition to her freelance work, she is also the snarky and animated founder of Terradrift.com, a website and YouTube channel that exists to help people from all walks of life explore the outdoors responsibly, safely, and sustainably, because she truly believes time in nature is a salve to the soul that everyone can, and should, experience.
Education
Alisha is a largely self-taught journalist who has always preferred to learn by doing than by sitting in a classroom.
