Beth Shoemaker | Carbondale, CO
Beth Shoemaker is a wilderness lover, community organizer, and mother.
Why does wilderness matter to you?
Wilderness areas are rare places on Earth where the landscape and biodiversity create an unfiltered experience; they are a window into what life is like beyond the creative and extractive impulses of people. I want to know there are places in the world where nature can do it's thing.
When our children were young, we'd play hide-and-go seek with them along the trails. Inevitably, after hiding for a few minutes in silence, they'd be bursting with excitement to share something they noticed. Nature creates awe and wonder. The wilderness and other wild places are like cathedrals to me. They offer me a place to feel awe, wonder, curiosity, peace, and gratitude for being part of something greater than myself. And it's not all warm fuzzies, the forces and extremes of nature can be uncomfortable, sometimes miserable, and humbling, but being part of it all makes me feel more alive.
Why does wilderness matter to your community?
Wilderness surrounds our community. I can't imagine living without access to nature and large landscapes that provide stunning views and a safe habitat for large animals. Our community's tourism-based economy also depends on access to these lands for multiple reasons—every job is just one degree away from supporting people who live and vacation here because of our wilderness areas.
Share a story about a special experience you have had in wilderness.
I went through a phase a few years ago of finding cool places to lie down in the woods or a meadow during every hike. I loved feeling the earth beneath me, being enveloped by skunk cabbage and Queen Anne's Lace, hearing the birds, or noticing a falling leaf. During that time, my family would ask what I wanted for my birthday. I'd reply, "I want to go forest bathing." At first, there was plenty of eye rolling, but everyone came to love that I was so weird. We'd peel off from the trail, and each find a sweet spot to lie in the forest and observe the wonder of it all.
