The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness family has grown recently.

With three new positions filled, the Friends are ready to roll into a great summer — getting people into the Scotchmans, swinging Pulaskis, learning about local flora and fauna and exploring new corners of the Scotchmans.

“We are thrilled to have so many boots on the ground working for wilderness and building community around a love for our wild backyard,” said Kelsey Maxwell, current staff member at FSPW. “With unique and diverse backgrounds, we know they are going to bring new energy to the outdoor community in Idaho and Montana”

Together, the FSPW staff members will be getting people out into the Scotchmans and attending community events all summer long. They will be guiding hikes, leading trail work days, and offering outdoor education activities at community events like the Libby Farmers Market and the Kootenai Harvest Festival.

First up is Amy Pearson, a professor and poet whose roots as a fifth-generation Montanan inspired her to work for wilderness. As the full-time Northwest Montana Outreach Coordinator, she will be directing programs and community events in Montana’s communities surrounding the Scotchmans. Between her Ph.D. in organizational communication, experience as the former president of Montana Wilderness Association’s Flathead Chapter and deep roots in the West - Amy is ready to hit the ground running for FSPW.

“My deepest passions are people and Wilderness, not necessarily in that order,” Amy said with a laugh. “I am excited to develop and grow connections between the people and land of northwest Montana.”

Likewise, Patrick Shea has spent several years working for wilderness causes. He grew up in North Carolina, helping his grandfather maintain a section of the Appalachian Trail. For the last four summers, he’s worked with Conservation Corps in central Idaho, Yellowstone, and North Carolina. This summer, Patrick is working as the Backcountry Ranger Outreach Coordinator, leading crews of FSPW volunteers into the Scotchmans to maintain and build trails.

Last but not least, Henry Jorden — an already-familiar face to the FSPW family — has joined us for the summer. He served as the Lincoln County Outreach Coordinator in Montana prior to working for the Friends remotely while pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Columbia University. This summer, he moves into a new role as Trail Stewardship Coordinator. He will oversee FSPW’s robust summer programs including volunteer trail projects dates in the Scotchmans and the trail ambassador program — which seeks to keep hikers and goats safe on the trails.

“I’m grateful to spend my summer coordinating programs that build community around Wilderness,” said Henry. “Stewardship is a great way to give back while having fun digging in the dirt.”

With past experience managing FSPW’s winter outdoor education program, Henry will be bringing more family-fun and educational events into the Scotchmans this summer.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting year, and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is thrilled to have the right team for the job. To keep up with all summer hikes and events, check out www.scotchmanpeaks.org.