Mary is originally from Layton, Utah, and studied Interdisciplinary Studies at Southern Utah University, where she combined Outdoor Recreation, Hospitality Management, and Psychology. An academic blend that reflects her passion for connecting people with the natural world. From a young age, she struggled to fit into traditional societal roles and found a sense of belonging in nature. She believes the outdoors offers the freedom to be one’s authentic self, a feeling she experiences deeply in southwest Utah.

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
— Aldo Leopold

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