“My reverence for public lands motivates me to leave them better than I found them.”

The holidays are the season of giving, but they're also a time to think about the things you truly value. For me, it's our wild places and the chance to share them with my family. That's why I've made the choice donate to MWA today. 

I hope you'll join me. 

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Let it be known: I’m head over heels, totally and completely in love with Montana.

After moving to this great state 26 years ago, I quickly discovered I wanted to spend most of my time in the woods. Fortunately, my outfitting and guest ranch work has allowed me to spend most of my working life in the wild places that I hold dear. 

I first learned of MWA while working an outfitter near Big Sky. I led an MWA field director into the Porcupine Creek area on horseback, highlighting areas that had been damaged by four wheelers. I like to think this outing helped, even in a small way, secure the wild future of the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area.

To this day, I’m thrilled that I was able to make a difference!

Public land is of huge importance to me, my kids Chloe and Gus, and my husband, Scott. The vast open spaces and the wild places that wildlife like grizzly bears call home are what brought me to Montana, and my reverence for them motivates me to leave public lands better than I found them, and to pass these values on to my children.

It’s important to teach kids to be stewards of the land. I have always taught my kids the value of a hard day’s work, physical labor, and giving back: don’t be afraid to get dirty (in fact, you better not stay clean) and, most importantly, give when you can and how you can.  

Now that my children are older, I’ve gotten them involved with MWA’s trail stewardship projects. Working on making Montana trails more accessible has become a summer tradition for us. In addition to getting my husband involved next summer, my next goal is to adopt and maintain a trail in my area. I have one in mind that is in great need of care.

I’ve enjoyed all the trail projects I’ve been on. My children and I have met wonderful people in addition to getting our hands dirty. My favorite trip was in the Lima Peaks, removing a mile-long stretch of old barbed wire fence that was hindering wildlife migrations. 

It feels good to take old fence down and open and reopen a wild landscape to wildlife.

I support MWA because they do such a great job of keeping me informed and letting me know what I can do to be a good steward to Montana’s public lands, be it writing a letter or making a phone call to a state official or rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. I’m also impressed with MWA’s trail stewardship program. It’s well organized and offers plenty of opportunities for Montanans across the state to get involved. I can’t express just how much I appreciate the field work that MWA does. 

I’ve decided that, as long as I live in Montana, I will continue to volunteer for MWA and other organizations that are protecting our wild places and public lands. I hope to instill a habit of helping in my husband and children, whether donating time or money. As I said, give when you can and how you can.

It’s the responsibility of all Montanans to work hard to keep public lands accessible and protected, for wildlife and for future generations, and to cherish our wild places. Our wild landscapes are the most true and honest thing we have in our lives, and I want them to be there for future generations. 

I want my children and future generations to enjoy clean rivers and open spaces. I find that, most of the time, it’s just what the doctor ordered. That’s why I’m asking for your help today. Please support MWA in their effort to protect our wild places and public lands. Donate today. 

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On behalf of my family, myself, and our wild places, thank you. 

– Krisy Hammond, dedicated trail steward and MWA supporter