My love for the outdoors started with my parents. As avid environmentalists and nature-lovers, they took me hiking before I could walk, brought me along on bird-watching excursions, and plopped me in a kayak and on a bicycle at an age that predates most of my earliest memories. Soon, I was embarking on my own outdoor adventures. I became an avid mountain biker as a preteen, spent much of my later high school years in a whitewater kayak, hiked and rock climbed through college, and discovered gravel riding and trail running in more recent years.
Now more than ever, time outside is a non-negotiable part of my life. I am an advocate of the “everyday adventure” — the idea that you don’t need to scale 14ers or paddle whitewater to feel that kind of excitement. Adventure is everywhere, waiting for us to seek it. To that end, I’ve made it a goal to do at least one mile of human-powered outdoor activity every single day no matter the weather or how busy I am. Since December 2022, I haven’t missed a single day.
While my relationship with the outdoors and how I engage in outdoor recreation has changed over the years, it has remained a constant that has provided both a source of joy and a way to cope with life’s toughest moments. A summer backpacking in Denali National Park helped me heal from the loss of a loved one when I was in college. Daily time outside hiking or riding my bike kept me sane through cancer treatment several years ago. When I am faced with a problem, a journey through woods or through rivers always helps me see things from a more positive perspective and find a solution. I get my best ideas while riding my bike. Everything that feels so heavy when locked inside four walls suddenly lightens after some time in the fresh air.
My connections to the outdoor community are what introduced me to the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. When I found out that PEC was hiring, I jumped at the chance to combine my love for maps and skills I had learned through my geography with my interest in outdoor recreation. In the seven years since, I have had the privilege of working alongside a group of like-minded people to help build trails, promote outdoor recreation as a catalyst for rural economic development, and get more people outside. I’m passionate about providing access to those experiences to others because I know just how much better I feel, physically and mentally, when I’ve spent time in nature.
Here at PEC, we believe that by providing these experiences, we are cultivating stewards of our natural environment and public lands. I know this is true because my own life has followed that trajectory. It is impossible not to care once you have experienced the healing power of unfragmented forests, pristine waters, and open spaces. A healthy environment is not just a privilege, but a right codified in Pennsylvania’s Constitution — one that we at PEC pride ourselves in protecting so that future generations can have their own adventures, make their own memories, and understand for themselves why it’s important to keep this legacy alive.