By Adam Gebauer
Cover photo courtesy of Adam Gebauer
I have come to understand myself to be a bit of a social introvert. It takes me a tick to be comfortable in new social situations, to be able to open up, and to find my voice. But back in my 20s I figured out a hack to jump-start connections, a place where I have a voice of confidence—public lands. These vast, open lands allow many of those embedded self-preservation traits to slip away in the vistas, instead focusing on the tasks at hand and sharing awe with others.
My early experiences camping as a family, backpacking in Boy Scouts and just exploring the public lands near my hometown in New Jersey were way more engaging than school or hanging out at the mall. So, in my 20s, I ventured to the Southwest to work as a wilderness trip leader. This experience taught me that I was a quiet leader, someone who enjoys sharing excitement and knowledge on everything from how it takes years to create biocrust on the desert floor to demonstrating how to rappel down a sheer sandstone cliff. I found I could create a safe and accepting place where participants could push their comfort zones while also being reflective about the environment that surrounds them. It also helps that being a goofy presence is generally rewarded in camp settings.
Parts of leading trips on public lands are akin to being a tour guide, one of those people who seem to effortlessly walk backward while also being a skilled public speaker. These experiences unearthed an unknown skill for me: I can be an effective and engaging public speaker. This has led to continued experiences as an educator, where I get to take people out onto public lands where they can get a sense of stewardship and belonging. This also helps me to speak up in technical meetings and when working with landowners, knowing that I have knowledge and authority on a topic.
Gaining enough outdoor experience through our public lands to climb in the alpine, paddle some whitewater, and be comfortable in uncomfortable situations of bugs, rain, or just the side of a cliff, has given me a shortcut to making friends and creating community. The ability to say yes to a myriad of outdoor adventures has given me an avenue to an amazing network of like-minded individuals. Several days out in the wild under a blanket of stars can open up deep, personal conversations that otherwise could take years of knowing. This has led to a community of outdoor enthusiasts that spans the country and usually provides more outdoor adventure opportunities than I have time for.
Finally, the love for our public lands has led to my career as the public lands program director at Spokane-based The Lands Council. Digging deep into ecology and wildlife, a care for people who work in and with the lands, and passion to protect and advocate for our public lands evolved into a job where I get to advocate for what I love.
Adam Gebauer is the Nature columnist at Out There Outdoors. He is excited to get back on his bike as the weather cools.
