Trail Magic

How Mountain Mamas Instill a Love of Nature and Advocate for Its Preservation

By Amy Grisak

Memories are made among the fields and forests where rocks, sticks, and flowers are treasures to relish. For the Mountain Mamas of Montana and Colorado, the goal is to instill this magic of nature to the next generation, while working on a larger scale to protect it.

Beginning a decade ago, the non-profit organization was the brainchild of Becky Edwards and friends of hers from throughout Montana who wished to create a group where parents could share outdoor experiences. From passing along recommendations on baby carriers that didn’t chafe your hips, to trail conditions, along with organizing local outings, the Mountain Mamas were all about encouraging families to be outdoors.

Edwards said, “It is about the shared love of the outdoors. We really focus on those connections, especially in a world that so divided.” Her perspective is when we find common ground, particularly when it comes to raising our children with an appreciation of nature and its preservation, we realize that we’re all on the same page of building a community. We all want to create vibrant homes for our families and enjoying nature is a key component of this goal.

New Mom on the Trail

“I’ve been involved with Mountain Mamas for a few years,” said Sarah Kratzner of Highwood, Montana. “I found them through social media when we moved to Montana a few years ago, and was looking for connections as a new mom. I’ve met many wonderful families.”

Creating this love of the outdoors is what many parents strive for, yet taking the first steps can be a daunting process. Kratzner said her family was very outdoor-oriented during her childhood. “It’s something ingrained in my whole life and I wanted to raise my kids the same way.”

Be Prepared to Create Fun Memories

Adventuring on their own, as well as within a group, Kratzner noted there are a few tips on making the most of any outdoor experience. “Just start small,” she recommended. “The smaller adventures for your kids are just as important for them. Once they experience it, they’re more likely to enjoy the bigger ones.”

For your first times on the trail, it’s all about building confidence for you and your children. Choose a familiar area, or go with someone who knows the trail, and prepare ahead of time for the highest probability of a successful outing.

As with any outdoor adventure, check the weather beforehand and plan accordingly. It’s prudent to have gear with you, such as rain jackets, and not need them, versus having a hike turn into a bone-shivering wash out because they were left behind.

The basics of food and water are also a key part of any expedition, no matter how brief. “We can make it through any adventure when we have snacks,” said Kratzner who keeps special treats only for their outings.

It also makes a big difference to bring friends. Kids can hike for hours without even realizing it when they’re talking with a buddy and finding all sorts of cool things together. Throw a frog or salamander in the picture, and they’ll talk about it for years.

“It’s less intimidating when you have other people there,” said Kratzner. “It also helps the kids because so many times they’ll power through when there’s another adult to encourage them versus mom or dad.”

Even with the best preparations and intentions, Kratzner said, ”You’ll have meltdowns, but it’s just part of it.” The whole point is to spend time outside not only for recreation and learning, but to instill the love of the land into our children.

Reaping the Rewards

The end result is a boost of confidence that means more than any gold star. Kratzner said, “The outdoors builds confidence.”

For Kratzner and her family, they’re enjoying considerable progress on the local ski hill. She said, “Our whole family was going down the same runs together. Both my kids are better skiers than we are now.”

While it’s easier and often more enjoyable to take solo runs, with Kratzner and her husband guiding their children through the learning journey, the entire family benefits.

Advocating for the Future

While immersing our children in the wonders of nature is paramount, and is a central focus of Mountain Mamas, an important underlying tenant is public discourse and action.

While immersing our children in the wonders of nature is paramount, and is a central focus of Mountain Mamas, an important underlying tenant is public discourse and action.

Edwards noted that the largest growing group focusing on conservation issues are women between the ages of 18 to 46 years old. Many of these are mothers who want their children and grandchildren to experience the same joy as we did, and do, during our time in nature.

She said that one of the strengths of Mountain Mamas is that, “[The moms] will put their lives aside and fly to Washington DC to tell their stories.”

Kratzner said she joined Edwards and a group from Mountain Mamas to meet with legislators in Washington D.C. during a push to bring more awareness to the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act that will preserve the Blackfoot River by protecting its tributaries. Supported by 83 percent of Montanans, it creates a collaboration between the timber industry, outfitters, and conservation groups adding 80,000 acres within the boundaries of the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Mission Mountain Wilderness Areas.

The goal for the Mountain Mamas on this project, and so many more like it, is to present a face and story on the positive impact of this sort of legislation with the hope of support from our elected officials.

“We also talked a lot about public lands, and how we’ll protect them with increased usage,” shared Kratzner, which is another piece of the conservation puzzle. We all love our public lands, but the challenge is not to love them to death. By understanding how to be responsible stewards, it’s possible to achieve this balance in order for future generations to enjoy them, as well.

Kratzner also said that they met with members from the Colorado Mountain Mamas, and she was delighted to talk with other moms who share the same focus.

It’s all about building connections. I didn’t know anyone before going on this trip.

And the movement is expanding. Edwards shared that they are welcoming the Arizona Mountain Mamas into the fold in 2024. With this addition, they look forward to sharing time on the trail, as well as in front of legislators to create a space where we recognize the importance of nature in our and our children’s lives.

Camp Hale- A Conservation Convergence

The designation of the Camp Hale–Continental Divide National Monument is a win for historians and conservationists throughout the nation.

“Camp Hale was once used as training and drilling grounds for the United States Army; the outdoor space taught veterans mountain climbing, alpine and Nordic skiing, and survival skills for the cold weather they would experience during World War II,” said Sara Kuntzler, Mountain Mamas Colorado program manager. “The designation provides opportunities for children to learn about our Colorado heritage and history by engaging with our open spaces firsthand.”

Long before 15,000 soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division lived and trained in this landscape, it was the home of the Ute People for thousands of years. National recognition for this area helps preserve their history and educate future generations.

The realm of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bears and a myriad of other wildlife characters, this 53,804-acre monument includes the Tenmile Range that spans a portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, as well as holds 10 peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation making it a popular area for recreation throughout the year.

The Camp Hale– Continental Divide National Monument demonstrates how advocacy preserves these natural places for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.

This article was made possible through the support of our partners at Darn Tough Vermont. Darn Tough is proud to support mamas and kids of all ages on the trail and the work to complete and protect the CDT.