Pathways Newsletter

Allison is an MCC alum from 2013. Now, as the Operations Director for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, she leads their community engagement efforts and operations. She is passionate about helping people connect with the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex in NW Montana.

When did you serve with MCC? What was it like for you?

I was an MCC AmeriCorps crew leader in 2013. It was amazing! I grew up in Minnesota and enjoyed going to camp when I was young, but I never saw myself living in a remote area or doing trail work. MCC was a summer of really embracing my strength. Plus, our crew was absolutely amazing – we all got along so well. It was a really rewarding experience being able to learn what I was capable of and know that I could spend extended time out in the wilds and love it.

Were there any particularly memorable or challenging experiences while you served with MCC?

My crew was mostly in the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho that summer, but the government shut down while we were back there. We ended up doing a hitch on Mount Helena, working on trails right next to town. There were beautiful fall colors, and it was so fun to work close to the community we had been living in. It was a different type of trail work than the super-remote Frank Church – we were improving these trails that we knew thousands of people used every day. That ended up being a highlight of my season even though it started as a strange, abrupt situation.

What was the most personally meaningful part of your experience with MCC?

I met my husband through MCC, and now we have a growing family together. I know we aren’t the only ones! MCC is behind a lot of my professional connections and close friendships. Outside of relationships, the program helped me find a direction and embrace the world of nonprofit work. MCC was a big part of figuring out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to take my career.

What did you learn during your service that you leveraged for your career?

The leadership development focus for the crew leader position was huge. It's not just about trail work; it's about strengthening your leadership skills and how you can instill those skills in your crew members. It’s similar to how BMWF operates; yes we do trail work, but that work also fosters a sense of appreciation for wild places and your fellow humans that you connected with in the backcountry. It also brought me into the world of AmeriCorps. After MCC, I did a VISTA term with a small environmental nonprofit in Helena. I was able to build on those leadership skills and get more nonprofit experience, which led to future job opportunities in the “real world.”

Tell us about The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and why someone should support your organization this month during the Great Fish Community Challenge?

BMWF’s mission is active wilderness stewardship. The core of our work is leading volunteer trips into the Bob to open trails, restore habitat, mitigate user impacts, and help the Forest Service take care of the landscape. Over the years we’ve broadened our definition of stewardship to include an internship program and packer apprenticeships to pass down traditional wilderness skills, as well as a growing partnership and education program to get more underrepresented communities out into the Bob. When we foster more active wilderness stewards, more people care that this place exists for generations to come.
 

By supporting BMWF during the Great Fish Community Challenge, you support active wilderness stewardship projects that help care for the landscape and help more people connect with this incredible place that we’re lucky enough to have in our backyards. I hope everyone will remember both BMWF and MCC in the Challenge this year!