Nancy joined the NWTA board in 2019 and is our Education & Sustainability Director. She began volunteering her time with NWTA in the fall of 2018. She started with leading group rides & holding skills clinics for our NW Trail Sisters group. When the opportunity to form our Trail Sustainability Institute came to fruition Nancy was hand-picked by the leadership team to spearhead NWTA’s education program.
You can reach Nancy at [email protected].
How and when did you first get involved with NWTA (became a member)?
I first became involved with NWTA through SHIFT, a weekend of trail work, riding, and socializing up at Mt St Helens. Not only did I see the value in what NWTA was doing, but I also met some really great people, people with who I am still friends today. It was at that point that I decided to become a member
What made you decide to join the NWTA board?
I was asked to join the board and create an educational branch of the organization, which soon became the Trail Sustainability Institute. I decided to take on this endeavor because I trusted the leadership team, I knew I had their support and I believed in the work that they were doing.
What part of NWTA’s mission resonates with you? What are your plans to help move this forward?
Stewardship- noun. the job of supervising or taking care of something.
The concept is that if you love and value something or someplace, you physically care for it. For me, this is our green spaces, our wild places. The places where we find refuge and peace. Recreating in these places is important, but even more so, doing it responsibly and keeping our impact as low as possible so that those who come after us have a place to enjoy as well.
I move this mission forward by teaching sustainable trail practices through our Trail School as well as ensuring that our Crew Leaders are doing the same. My goal during these training sessions is to share the “why” of sustainable trail practices and how it benefits the environment and the trail user.
When did you first start mountain biking & what was your first bike?
I first started mountain biking in 2017. My friend Christy loaned me her Santa Cruz Superlight 29 and that was that. I fell in love with the sport and never looked back.
What do you love about mountain biking?
Every dang thing. I love that my bike can take me to some pretty spectacular places. I love that the opportunity to grow my skills never ends. I love that the confidence that I grow on my bike transfers into everyday life. I love the people that mountain biking has brought into my life and the relationships that have grown from finding others who share this passion.
Favorite place to ride?
The Gifford Pinchot. I love the challenge and rewards that this area provides. Also, I’d be remiss not to include Growlers Gulch. This is where I learned to ride, where I learned to dig, and where I learned that those two things are intrinsically woven together. Add that to a strong community ethos, it is easy to include this as one of my favorite places to ride.
What do you do during the day (that pays your bills)?
MRI Assistant.
What song or type of music do you listen to to get pumped up (for a ride or for a dig day)?
Does NPR count? (nerd alert)
Tell us something (not mountain bike related) about yourself?
The outdoors have a huge role in my life. Whether I’m hiking, foraging mushrooms, camping, snowshoeing, backpacking, paddling a canoe, or growing my own food, as long as I am outside with a little dirt under my nails, I’m happy.