Julia Knight
I was 17 years old when I went on my first hike. It was miserable, painful, and downright humbling. A heavy pack, an environment of unknowns, and 43 miles to go, I thought what any naive teenager would: why am I here? By the end of that hike, I felt completely rebuilt by the mountains.
Born and raised in the midwest, my version of going outdoors meant vacationing to Florida and resort skiing. I had always loved the outdoors – I just didn’t know the outdoors was an option for me. But during this hike, I discovered the outdoors was something I could belong to… and something I wanted to give back to.
Seven years later, I have the immense privilege of empowering youth to confidently venture outside with the knowledge, skillset, and support to become outdoor enthusiasts and advocates themselves. Not all kids grow up with access to the outdoors, and The Mountaineers is working to change that. Our youth programs, serving ages 2-18, create as much opportunity as possible for youth to foster their individual connection to nature so that they can experience firsthand the transformative power of the natural world and feel inspired to protect it. Participants learn not only how to recreate safely through navigation, first aid, and technical skill building, but how to recreate responsibly through a curriculum that includes stewardship opportunities, mindful recreation and land acknowledgment seminars, Leave No Trace training, and more.
Childhood outdoor experiences are foundational in
developing a long-lasting recreation ethic that informs our younger members well into the future as they grow to become the next generation of fierce advocates for our natural world. Our youth team is dedicated to ensuring that a love for – and dedication to protect – our cherished experiences, places, and people lives on for generations more.
Photos clockwise from top left: Outdoor Alliance WA, Robert Christensen, Ginger Sarver, Emma Agosta, Mckenzie Campbell Davies, Maggie Zhou, and Mckenzie Campbell Davies.
2024 IMPACT: Advocate on Behalf of the Natural World
- Creating Advocates for Public Lands Through
Conservation Education. Mountaineers adventures would cease to exist without advocacy to conserve public lands, support climate-resilient landscapes, and improve sustainable recreational access. In January 2024 we launched a new Advocacy 101 eLearning course, which helps members Adventure with Purpose by going from an outdoor enthusiast to an outdoor advocate. We also revamped our Public Lands 101 course. - Investing in Solutions to Permit and Access Challenges. The Mountaineers is required to obtain permits to access public lands for our courses, yet permit constraints and access challenges can sometimes hinder our community’s ability to teach and learn outdoor skills. Donor support enabled us to create and hire a new staff position, an Associate Manager of Policy and Planning, dedicated to alleviating barriers and finding solutions to permit challenges.
- The Mountaineers and Outdoor Alliance Advocate for Public Lands in D.C. The Mountaineers and Outdoor Alliance visited D.C. to advocate for the passage of the Wild Olympics bill, the SOAR Act, and the Explore Act. We also celebrated the ten-year anniversary of Outdoor Alliance. Backed by the voices of key partners and over 16,000 members, we are able to have a meaningful impact on public lands and outdoor recreation policy.
- Mountaineers Advocate for Public Lands in 2024 State Budget. Our conservation team testified before the House and Senate, coordinated with state land managers and key partners, and met with lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session to support investments in Washington’s public lands and waters. Thanks to the advocacy of The Mountaineers and our larger community, we helped secure legislative wins that conserve natural resources and enhance sustainable outdoor recreation during a time of rising visitation and growing climate impacts
- Great American Outdoors Act Continued to Fund Public Lands Improvements. Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding continued to benefit Washington’s public lands by bringing to life much-needed restoration and maintenance projects to popular trails, roads, and other recreation amenities. Thanks to advocacy by The Mountaineers and our wider community, funding from programs like GAOA make our outdoor experiences safer and more accessible for everyone.
Mountaineers Books Draw Attention to Threatened Ecosystems
Mountaineers Books approaches advocacy at several levels. Books in our Braided River imprint serve as a direct call to action to advocate for and protect ecosystems facing immediate threats. In 2024, we published Big River by David Moskowitz, exploring the Columbia River watershed and salmon management. These books foreground advocacy and inspire action to protect our natural places. At an everyday level, we seek to weave appreciation of natural history and best practices for low impact recreation throughout every book we publish.
The Mountaineers® is a 501(c)(3) organization supported through earned revenue and elevated through charitable contributions. Our staff work to support our seven branches (Bellingham, Everett, Foothills, Kitsap, Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma), three lodges (Baker, Meany, and Stevens), and our Kitsap Forest Theater. Tax ID: 27-3009280. 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
