Montana’s Conservation Story Tellers

We all know the value of listening to the women in our society tell stories from their past.  With the humility that often accompanies soft-spoken words, women tell tales of humorous situations that keep us in stitches and they recall the hard lessons learned that shape our lives and teach generations.

While the opportunity to partake in this important tradition occurs frequently in the home setting, rarely is it offered in the professional setting.  The exception to that rule occurred in November, as the Montana Association of Conservation Districts introduced 6 women who serve as conservation leaders and gave them a chance to tell their tales.

Often overlooked as part of conservation in our state, women have played a crucial role through leadership and involvement at the level of their own land all the way up to their local government.   Most of these women were raised on family farms, and many were expected to do the same work alongside their siblings and parents.  Their stories tell how these first experiences shaped their perspectives and got them involved with conservation work.

Early on, they were taught that their participation was a valuable contribution, and that women could do more than the defined roles that many expected them to serve.  When given the chance to participate in the activities of their own family land, they learned how things worked and gained valuable problem solving skills useful in many of life’s settings.

They learned they could rope and ride as well as anyone else, but that showing the men up with their skills up wasn’t necessary for them to know their own abilities.  This example being an important lesson of the value of their own skills, and how they serve an important part in a larger effort.

Today, 21 women leaders sit shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts on Conservation District boards throughout Montana.    Their contributions include thoughtful consideration and practical perspectives that give everyone time to pause and consider issues from a different angle.  Many serve as the chair of their organization, reinforcing the mission and guiding the organization in addressing natural resource conservation of their area.

These leadership tasks are not taken lightly, as conveyed by a speaker at the recent convention, “Conservation work is the only thing that I have ever done, and the only thing that I will ever do, that really makes a difference”.

These women leaders manage a delicate balance of standing up for what they believe in while listening to the community they serve, all with a smile and a quiet confidence.  They take the time to continually learn for themselves and they see the value in passing that information along- in the true fashion of a good storyteller.

Sunni Heikes-Knapton