When Parents Introduce You to Wilderness 

A conversation with new Wilderness Land Trust
board member Danna Bowers

Danna Bowers doesn’t remember her first wilderness experience. Not because it wasn’t extraordinary, but because she can’t remember a time when her parents weren’t taking her on hiking and backpacking trips.

“My family and I have stories of our adventures together starting when I was just a few months old, all the way up to last weekend viewing eagles on the Nooksack River,” explains Danna.

New Wilderness Land Trust Board Member Danna Bowers enjoys wilderness year round

The Bellingham, WA native and new Wilderness Land Trust board member describes herself as a true weekend warrior and says she’s game for almost anything that will get her outdoors. “The Mt. Baker Wilderness area is one of my favorite places to go for weekend hikes with everything from mountain views, wildflowers and patches of old growth forest. There is something magical about seeing these giant trees with beautiful, neon-green moss hanging from their branches. That magic never goes away.”

Studies show that children regularly exposed to nature have less stress, are more resilient, perform better academically and are physically healthier. It also influences their value systems as adults in terms of environment and conservation.

“Growing up with parents that made it a priority to get outside whenever possible really had an impact on what I decided to do with my life, from my love of marine biology and conservation to my work with environmental nonprofits.”

Danna says she gravitated toward land trust work and conserving wilderness because the idea of focusing on wilderness designations fascinates her.

“I was drawn to The Wilderness land Trust because they effortlessly and successfully work with a wide range of people, from land owners and their families to government agencies and outdoor enthusiasts,” says Danna. “Land trusts really have this incredible ability to bring all of these people together, and to create partnerships that benefit the entire community.” 

As a new board member with the Trust, Danna says she wants to raise awareness about the work that goes into designating wilderness. “Not many people know how the places they enjoy came to be, or that it took multiple groups of people working together to create and fight for these areas. I want more people to know the stories behind the places they enjoy and how organizations like The Trust play a vital role in the future of these lands.”

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