Little did I know that two long trips I took in 2004-2005 would be pivotal to my being here now, as the executive director of American Wildlands. Nor did I figure that traveling to five countries would spark an interest in helping this organization continue its important work of conserving what I consider America’s finest wildlands — the Northern Rockies.

My first trip was a seven-month journey during which I visited four countries with landscapes and/or wildlife that rival that of the U.S. Northern Rockies — Mongolia, New Zealand, Botswana and Namibia. Yet, none quite equaled home sweet home. The wild lands of Mongolia and New Zealand were as expansive and undeveloped as the Northern Rockies, but both had a relative dearth of wildlife — because of excessive subsistence hunting or isolation from other wildlife populations, respectively. And while the landscapes and wildlife in the southern African parks are comparable to the Northern Rockies, many are enclosed by fences to separate the wildlife and nearby villagers. For me, the fencing simultaneously diminished the parks’ “wildness” and demonstrated that the co-existence between people and wildlife remains out of kilter.

So it was that I came home with a fresh perspective on just how internationally unique the Northern Rockies are. Even more important, I came home with an increased understanding of what a great opportunity we have in the Northern Rockies to “do it right” when it comes to conserving a bioregional landscape and all of its wildlife. My belief, strengthened by my recent travels, is that this region has the potential to become one of the best — if not the best — international models for how to conserve large landscapes and their native wildlife.

"I came home with an increased understanding of what a great opportunity we have in the Northern Rockies to “do it right” when it comes to conserving a bioregional landscape and all of its wildlife."

To make the most of this conservation opportunity, and ultimately become a model for how to conserve a regional landscape and its wildlife, people and institutions must lead in determining and promoting the “how” of making it work. During my second trip I realized that American Wildlands is one of those leaders, because its programs are helping to set the agenda for, and direction of, conservation in this globally significant Rocky Mountain region.

My second trip was a 16-hour drive with Rob Ament, my predecessor, in late June. Rob and I were traveling to and from a meeting in southeastern British Columbia, heading north along the east side of the Rocky mountains, and returning home on the west side of the Continental Divide. As we drove through the diverse landscapes of western Montana, Rob talked at length about American Wildlands — its mission, its niche in the region’s conservation community, its programs, its staff and Board, its prospects, and more. During the trip, I became increasingly intrigued by all that is American Wildlands. As I learned more about the organization’s conservation strategies and programs, I became inspired by the positive, proactive, collaborative and influential nature of AWL.

I found that I had a great affinity for the Corridors of Life and Safe Passages programs, knowing of the value to carnivores and other wildlife through my conservation work. Also from experience, I knew the tremendous value of geographic information system (GIS) modeling and mapping in helping define the focus of one’s work and helping to tell the story of the need for and value of that work. As I heard more about AWL’s GIS Lab, I realized the important role the organization performs in helping guide and inform conservation efforts throughout the region. While I realized that I would be a bit of a fish out of water regarding AWL’s Living Waters program, I saw it as a great opportunity to learn about this critical ecological and cultural priority for the region. Finally, as a naturalist early in my career hoping to inspire others to act on behalf of our common natural heritage, I supported AWL’s Human Connections program to encourage communities, residents and visitors to develop creative responses to the region’s conservation challenges.

It is for all these reasons I am excited and honored to be American Wildlands’ executive director. After all, what’s not to like about the opportunity to be at the helm of an organization that has taken a lead role in establishing a globally significant model for bioregional conservation. I look forward to working with you to ensure that American Wildlands continues its important work of conserving America’s finest wildlands — the U.S. Northern Rockies.