Discipline: Mountain Adventure Skills Training
I joined the College of the Rockies at the Fernie Campus in 2022 as the Natural History Instructor for the Mountain Adventure Skills Training (MAST) program. It is an honour to be part of this team and to instruct this course after some very influential and inspiring instructors prior to me. It is also with great pride that I get to share my passion for the outdoors with the future generation of outdoor leaders.
I first connected with the land while growing up on a farm in Alberta and grew a love for the outdoors. As an adult, I began to understand this connection with the land and prepared myself for a life of being outside. I went on to study Biological Sciences at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, then later studying Environmental and Conservation Sciences at the University of Alberta.
While in school, I wanted to experience as much learning as possible and would take on part-time or summer positions related to my field. Ever since graduating, I’ve been working in the outdoor world. First obtaining my Professional Agrologist status to practice in Land Reclamation and Remediation, working as an Environmental Consultant. Then transferring my skills to work for Alberta Environment and Parks, managing the south section of the Backcountry Trails Flood Rehabilitation Program in Crowsnest Pass.
I have a passion for connecting people to the outdoors and decided to become a certified hiking guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and Interpretive Guide Association. Since 2018, I’ve owned a professional guiding service based in Waterton and Crowsnest Pass.
A friend of mine once said to me, “We are never above learning.” Now, this quote is ingrained in me as a human, leader, business owner, instructor, community member, and with my family and friends. This applies to learning in the classroom, but also learning about ourselves. We are never above learning, and I like to remind others that we are given such a beautiful and long life because there is so much to learn. Continue to learn, continue to live.
My goal as an instructor is to help the students fall in love with the places and things that I have fallen in love with. As we share with others our passions, we connect again with the things that are important to us. If students leave this program feeling like they can pass on their passion to another person, then I’ve done my job right. The role of a professional guide or outdoor leader can have a huge impact on the people and world around us. My purpose is to educate, to build confidence and connection, and to get close to notice that even the small things are pretty remarkable.