How do you connect to nature on a regular basis?
I was born in upstate New York, consider Denver my current home, and the American West my playground. The outdoor opportunities of the western landscape have exposed me to a greater connection with nature. In winter, most days are spent sliding around in various snowscapes on skis. Success in the backcountry is founded upon a greater awareness, both of self and place. It is fueled by the desire to connect with and better understand the mountains. As a backcountry skier, I look to the snow to guide my pursuits and avoid avalanches. The layers within the snowpack, records of winter’s storms, are read as weak or bonded, stable or unstable. The observations made help provide a bigger picture of current avalanche conditions. The terrain, the weather, and the vegetation are also considerations in guiding safe travel decisions in the backcountry. Growing these relationships with nature’s elements are a necessity in skiing safe, and ultimately provide a deeper connection with the mountains I choose to recreate in.
Do you have a good example of how companies, people or organizations are helping to rebuild the bridge and connection between people and nature?
The NASA funded Community Snow Observations campaign uses the citizen-science model to improve the collective understanding of snow depth variability in mountainous regions. It is a great way to inspire the mountain community to develop a deeper appreciation for the importance of the snow and terrain in the areas that we recreate. Everything living downstream of mountain snowpack depends on water provided by melting snow. This campaign is a wonderful way to better connect outdoor recreationists with mountain ecosystems.
Is there a conservation story happening right now that you are particularly passionate about?
I have recently started following a somewhat
