Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Lynn Hernandez.
Hi Kay Lynn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in the country in Cabot, Arkansas, where I spent all my free time exploring woods, pastures, creeks, and ponds—developing a lifelong love for the outdoors and wildlife. My dad, a self-taught naturalist, taught me everything he knew about the animals around us. He gave me the opportunity to study turtles, snakes, and other wild creatures while also caring for domestic farm animals. Those early experiences shaped the way I see the world. Although I lost my way for a time in my early twenties, I found my roots again when I discovered biology and wildlife management at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
I earned my B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife Management and Fisheries and a minor in Creative Writing. My love for marine science deepened when I took graduate-level courses at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where my passion for marine mammals and science was rekindled.
Soon after, I interned with The Nature Conservancy in the Florida Keys, teaching scientific diving to volunteers while conducting population studies of sea urchins and damselfish. I went on to work for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a Biological Technician, conducting the Breeding Bird Survey, studying the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo, and assisting with Key Deer necropsies.
My final year in the Keys was spent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as an Environmental Specialist, where my focus shifted from research to natural area management. Living in the Keys was truly transformative—I spent my days working on the water and my evenings exploring it from my little flats boat, snorkeling around mangrove islands and drifting through crystal-clear backcountry waters where bonnethead sharks and rays glided gracefully below.
Eventually, my journey took me to the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, where I served as Manager and Director of STENAPA (St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation). I oversaw three nature parks: a marine park that surrounded the island from the high-water mark to 30 meters in depth, a national park centered around a dormant volcano, and a botanical garden. It was my dream job—each morning, I could decide whether to go diving, hiking, or gardening. Yet it was also challenging; enforcing long-ignored environmental regulations sometimes led to resistance and even threats.
Statia, as locals fondly called it, was a microcosm of the environmental challenges we face globally. Many residents were misinformed about the purpose of conservation laws, and local folklore about man-eating sharks kept most from exploring the incredible coral reefs that surrounded their island. I learned that people must first see what’s worth protecting before they can truly care about it. That realization inspired me to develop an education program that reached local schools, government agencies, and anglers—an experience that cemented my lifelong passion for environmental education.
After my time in the Caribbean, I moved back to the U.S. and worked as a biologist and project manager for a major consulting firm in southern Louisiana. That role gave me valuable perspective on “the other side” of conservation work and helped me become a more balanced advocate for environmental protection.
Over 20 years ago, I relocated with my growing family to Wilmington, North Carolina. I spent five years as a stay-at-home mom—the hardest job I’ve ever had—before joining a local environmental nonprofit. I started on the Board of Directors, then as part-time staff and eventually became full-time, directing environmental education and managing a variety of conservation projects.
Throughout my career—from the Florida Keys and the Caribbean to the southeastern U.S.—guiding has always been a thread that connected my work and my spirit. When the pandemic halted in-person education, I returned to guiding on the water, leading small-group kayak tours where people could safely experience nature and learn about the environment. It reignited my love for sharing those experiences.
Soon after, I was offered a position with The Nature Conservancy as Preserve Manager at the Palmyra Atoll Research Station—one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet, located about 200 miles south of Hawaii. I accepted the seasonal position, knowing I’d be stepping away from my full-time nonprofit role, and decided to create something meaningful to return to. That’s when Wilmington Outdoor Adventures was born—a culmination of my passions for environmental education, outdoor recreation, and environmental justice. It began with just me, a small trailer that could “officially” hold four kayaks (though I somehow managed to fit seven), and tours I carefully designed to work with the tides and highlight Wilmington’s biodiversity and historic waterways.
Today, Wilmington Outdoor Adventures employs several kayak guides and summer interns to meet demand for our growing lineup of programs—kayak tours, summer camps, women’s empowerment retreats, kayaking workshops, and initiatives that connect marginalized youth with the water.
My goal remains the same as the day I launched WOA: to connect people to nature, serenity, and adventure through safe and unforgettable experiences—while continuing to educate, empower, and bring joy to an ever-growing community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. My path has been filled with moments that tested my courage, resilience, and faith in myself.
When I was living on the small Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, enforcing long-ignored environmental laws didn’t always make me popular. There were times I had to sleep in different houses at night after receiving death threats. The local police even advised me not to report them, warning that doing so might make the threats real. It was a frightening period, but I stayed committed to my work and to protecting the island’s incredible natural resources.
Later, while working as the first professional female at a large consulting firm of more than a hundred employees, I encountered a new kind of challenge. Earning respect in an environment dominated by men with superiority complexes required relentless determination. I had to go above and beyond to prove that women can do anything a man can—from driving airboats through Louisiana marshes to installing water-quality monitoring equipment with power tools in hand. Those experiences taught me grit and the importance of leading by example.
Even within the nonprofit world, challenges arose. After years of thriving under a supportive supervisor whose management style fostered collaboration and joy, a leadership change created over a year of turmoil. What had once been a place of stability and inspiration became one of insecurity and stress.
And on a personal level, I faced the painful decision to leave the father of my children after an affair. It was a deeply difficult time, but it also reminded me of the importance of self-worth, integrity, and modeling strength for my children.
Each of these challenges—professional and personal—has shaped who I am today. They’ve made me more creative, more resilient, a stronger advocate for equality, and a more empathetic and supportive leader for my team…made up entirely of women.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most proud of my two children. They’ve always had each other and remain incredibly close. My oldest is in Wilmington, enjoying college life surrounded by good friends, while my youngest—who is non-binary—is finding their confidence and direction within the supportive community of San Francisco, where I currently reside with them until 2026. Watching them both follow their truth, even though the path has been rocky, fills me with pride and gratitude.
Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to have a career that aligns with my deepest values. I’m proud of gaining federal protection of a beach where endangered leatherback sea turtles nested— and had been mined for sand for decades – a victory for conservation that reminded me how much one voice can matter. I’m also proud of my work managing the Palmyra Atoll Research Station for The Nature Conservancy, one of the most remote and pristine marine protected areas on Earth. Leading a team there meant not only overseeing logistics and research but also ensuring that every person felt supported and connected while living in one of the most remote locations on the planet. Being asked to return full-time after my seasonal role was a true honor.
Today, through Wilmington Outdoor Adventures, I’m channeling that same spirit of purpose and connection into my community. I’m proud of the work we’re doing to empower women, newcomers to the area, and kids of color to experience the joy, peace, and freedom that come from being on the water. Helping others find their own connection to nature—whether it’s through kayaking, adventure, or simple stillness—is the most fulfilling work I can imagine.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For anyone just starting out kayaking around southeastern North Carolina—don’t let these beautiful waters fool you. They can be tricky! Start with guided tours to get a feel for the tides, routes, and local obstacles. Better yet, join one of Wilmington Outdoor Adventures’ kayaking workshops, where you’ll learn how to read tides, understand currents, establish weather protocols, and master the basics of kayaking. You’ll come away feeling confident, capable, and ready to launch on your own for a safe, soul-soothing adventure in our watery wilderness.
And for women working (and playing) on the water—here’s my best insider tip: always put sunscreen on your knees. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wilmingtonoutdooradventures.com
- Instagram: @wilmington_outdoor_adventures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065374693636
