Marlena Nelson
Wilderness Ranger Fellow
Youth Expedition: S Fork Big Creek
Bitterroot National Forest | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
6/18-6/23/2024
After a steep final ascent and dam crossing, we are rewarded by a stunning panorama around Big Creek Lake, and a still muddy trail
When Ian Harris, our youth program director, reached out to me about helping him lead SBFC’s first ever Youth Expedition, the first thought that crossed my mind was: Only six days? Heck yeah, I’m down! The more and more I thought about it, my true excitement lay in the prospect of creating a life-changing experience for our participants.
I got my true start in the outdoors as a guide in college, working and playing in the rivers, springs and mountains (some may call them hills) of the southeast. The most satisfying part of the job, beyond all the time in nature, was watching my participants fall in love with and become confident outside.
Rob demonstrates a popular free-time activity for our group - fishing in Big Creek Lake!
During our six-day expedition, I got to know four spunky and stoked youths from Montana and Idaho. Veva and Allegra amused me with their fast friendship, youthful jargon, and interest in identifying plants. Rob demonstrated a commitment to fishing (in this case commitment looked like waking up two hours before wake-up time to start casting) that astounded me. Liam inspired me with his tenacity and grit, and an impressive knowledge of movies, music, and vintage cars. Despite the challenges of mis-fitting packs, a cold and wet first night, over-enthusiastic mosquitos, and plenty of flooded trails, our crew was ready to learn and play each and every day.
Here are some of our stats:
Saskatoon, one of the many native plants Veva, Allegra, and I sought to identify around the lake.
Number of Fish Caught = 10
Plants Identified
Saskatoon (Briefly mistaken for Mallow Ninebark)
Trillium
Alpine Forget-Me-Not
Lupine
Larkspur
Creek Crossings = 5 (each multiple times)
Memories made = too many to count!
To be able to plant seeds of love of and stewardship for wilderness is a great honor. At the very same time, every moment of teaching brought me back to when I was a beginner, too. Watching our crew of four experience the euphoria of cutting their first tree, or struggle with their first attempts at bowline knot, or tackle camp chores felt like watching my first steps down the path that brought me here.
I am so excited for Rob, Veva, Liam, Allegra, and all of our youth participants to come to take their experiences to shape their futures and that of our wild, beautiful lands. Perhaps one day, they will find themselves in my boots.
Starting a cut with Allegra, one of our youth participants
Before and after of a fun tree problem: A great opportunity to practice limb-ing and cutting!
The SBFC Youth Wilderness Expedition Program is funded in part by:
The 2024 National Forest System (NFS) Trail Stewardship Partners Funding, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund Grant, the Lamb Foundation, Ravalli Electric Co-Op, Missoula Electric Cooperative, Blackfoot Communications, and private donors.
Saxony, Germany
University of Florida- Food & Resource Economics
Marlena grew up connecting with the outdoors of New England, Germany, and Florida. Working as an outdoor guide during her bachelor's degree opened her eyes to the power of nature to shape individuals and communities. Three months of conservation work in Utah and Arizona inspired her to seek further opportunities to practice stewardship of wild landscapes. She is passionate about creating a world in which people and the planet can thrive.
