Becky Edwards is the Executive Director of the Mountain Mamas, an organization whose mission is to amplify women’s voices into a movement to ensure that kids grow up in a healthy climate with clean air and access to public lands. Operating out of both Montana and Colorado—and currently expanding throughout the West—the Mountain Mamas harness the power of mothers to advocate to solve some of the West’s most pressing conservation and environmental challenges. Whether helping to garner support for the recently passed Great American Outdoors Act or fighting for clean water in our Rocky Mountain rivers, the Mountain Mamas have become a formidable force for good in the West.
Becky grew up in Iowa but moved West to pursue her passion for climbing and mountaineering. After many years of being single-mindedly focused on life in the big mountains, her priorities drastically shifted with her daughter’s birth. No longer was she focused on big accents, but instead on making the world a better place for her little girl. And it’s worth noting that Becky’s early years of motherhood were no walk in the park—she spent many years as a single mother while simultaneously starting several successful businesses as well as the Mountain Mamas. But despite all of the challenges, Becky never gave up and built an impactful movement that is spreading across the West.
We caught up via Skype the day after the House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act, so we started out talking about that victory and its impacts on conservation and recreation. Becky is very gifted at explaining complicated legislative jargon, so she graciously and entertainingly walks me through many of the details around the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the importance of its permanent funding, and more. We discuss the importance of advocacy work with elected officials, and she offers up practical advice for anyone who wants to become more involved in guiding their elected officials on important issues. We also discuss her journey as a mother, as well as her journey as a woman in the conservation sector. Finally, we talk about the need for more diversity in conservation, and why now is a wonderful opportunity for positive change.
This was such a fun conversation—I think you’ll find it equal parts educational, inspiring, and empowering. Hope you enjoy.
Photos courtesy of Becky Edwards
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EPISODE NOTES
Topics Discussed:
- 5:00 – Mountain Mamas explained
- 6:00 – Background of the organization
- 9:30 – Land and Water Conservation Fund explained
- 13:00 – What does “fully funding” the LWCF mean?
- 17:00 – Ability of groups to do conservation rather than fight for $$
- 19:00 – Importance of advocacy and discussions with Congress
- 23:45 – Practical tips for advocating for your cause
- 27:00 – The vital role of the outdoors during Covid
- 29:30 – Importance of “finding the area of commonality”
- 32:00 – Transitioning the Mamas into advocacy work
- 37:00 – Becky’s journey as a mother
- 42:30 – Decision to start a business while being a single mother
- 47:00 – The driving force behind Becky’s career
- 50:00 – Importance of storytelling
- 53:30 – Need for increased diversity and inclusion in conservation
- 58:00 – Opportunities that will arise from this moment in history
- 59:30 – Heroes
- 1:01:30 – Favorite books
- 1:03:30 – Favorite films
- 1:06:00 – Parting words of wisdom
Information Referenced:
- Becky Edwards
- Mountain Mamas
- Mountain Mamas on Instagram
- Great American Outdoors Act
- Land and Water Conservation Fund
- Conservation Easements
- John Dingell Act
- Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hurari
- Sally Jewell
- Senator Jon Tester
- Winnie the Poo by AA Milne
- Charlotte’s Web by EB White
- Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gameinhart
- Brendan Leonard episode
- How to Run 100 Miles film
- Run Rabbit Run 100 miler
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these as well:
- Juanita Vero – A Deep Love of Place
- Becca Skinner – Pursuing Her Passions in the West
- Gabe Vasquez – Advocate for Equity in the Outdoors
- Kate Kavanaugh – Regeneration & Restoration
- Live in Bozeman – Cate Havstad, Jillian Lukiwski, Becca Skinner & Juanita Vero
- Jessica Lewis – Doing More With Less
- Auden Schendler – The Optimistic Pragmatist
- Emilene Ostlind – Storytelling for the New West
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