A Trip to the Winter Wildlands Alliance Grassroots Advocacy Conference

Director of Conservation Brian Bergeler recently went to the Winter Wildlands Alliance Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Eatonville, Washington as a representative of Colorado Mountain Club. Set against the backdrop of Mount Rainier at the University of Washington Pack Forest, the conference drew a diverse mix of voices from conservation advocates based all around the country.

The theme was "From the Ground Up: Rebuilding the Future of America's Public Lands,” and the conference featured an impressive roster of speakers, including conservation directors, local tribal representatives, professional ski guides, and even Colorado's own Director of Natural Resources Dan Gibbs.

“We had panel discussions and breakout sessions every day about topics that affected public lands,” says Brian. “There was a heavy focus on winter, but it extended into all seasons.” One session that stood out for Brian was on avalanche forecasting. It illustrated the critical, often under-resourced work behind winter safety. “They emphasized the impacts of federal cuts on these essential services, noting how critical these roles are to public safety in areas where avalanches are a risk," says Brian. “We’re fortunate because the Colorado Avalanche Information Center is state-run. Other regions rely on nonprofit partnerships with the Forest Service, and they’ve had limitations caused by layoffs and short staffing. That can lead to dicey situations.”

One of the most impactful sessions for Brian was the final panel: Advocacy Outside Our Comfort Zones – New Strategies for Success. “It was a personal one,” he says. “You could tell how important this work is to everyone there. It’s in their DNA, and everything going on politically has resulted in feelings of grief and loss that can be challenging to process. A lot of conservation work lately has felt like a never-ending battle, and people are feeling the fatigue of always having to fight for things instead of being able to just do the work. I’ve felt that way, too. It’s taking a toll on everyone.”

Despite the weighty topics, the overall atmosphere of the conference was one of camaraderie and connection. Breaks in the days were filled with short hikes, trail runs, and bike rides in the nearby forest. Attendees stayed on-site in cabins, with evenings that included spontaneous jam sessions from some of the talented fiddle and guitar players from Winter Wildlands, which helped everyone decompress from the day's serious discussions.

The conference ultimately served as a vital recharge and an invaluable networking opportunity for people who really care about protecting our wild spaces. “It was really good to see Colorado represented there,” says Brian. “And there were a lot of everyday people who weren’t affiliated with organizations. The conference is open to public, and it was encouraging to see so many passionate people coming together for the future of public lands.”

To hear conversations from this year and previous year’s conferences, visit https://winterwildlands.org/trail-break-radio.