Pathways Newsletter

Meet new MCC Board Member, Mary Erickson! Mary spent 40 years with the U.S. Forest Service, including 17 as Forest Supervisor for the Custer-Gallatin National Forest. A lifelong conservationist, she’s passionate about connecting young people to public lands and inspiring future conservation leaders.

What sparked your passion for conservation?

When I was really young, we lived in Alaska, and I remember the feeling of the outdoors and big expanses. Growing up in Wisconsin, I spent days running through fields, hiding out, and building forts. I have always had this love for being outside. In high school, I went to a forestry camp and met young people, very much like MCC, who taught me about working in the outdoors. It inspired me to start my degree in forestry in Oregon.

What is your background in conservation and with the Forest Service?

I met friends in college who loved to be outdoors. I started to appreciate that we could hike for miles down the Oregon coast, or we could go in the backcountry, and it was not private property. I really wanted to work for public lands. I worked as a forester trainee and a forest lookout, then got a job in forest planning with the Forest Service just out of grad school. It was an eye-opener about the different ways people value public lands and the complexity of public lands management.

I spent 40 years with the Forest Service. I found the work fascinating because it was always changing. I ended my career as the Forest Supervisor for the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, where I loved partnering with organizations outside the agency. I loved the rich history and the “esprit de corps” that comes with working in the Forest Service.

Why is it important for the Forest Service to partner with organizations like MCC?

Partnership on public lands is vitally important. Partners like MCC, Backcountry Horsemen, and wilderness foundations… they’re all doing great things, and you need all of them, because they are interconnected and help each other.

Working with young people, especially, is incredibly important. How do you help people value public lands and ensure they’re here 100 years from now? They have to have that connection and engagement so they become the next voices speaking up for these lands. MCC really thinks about the connection between young people and the outdoors, and how to build a work ethic and strong leadership skills. MCC serves this special niche as a partner to help get work done on the ground, but it’s also a partner that really focuses on young people and connecting them to this important work in conservation.

What inspired you to join the MCC Board of Directors?

I had great experiences working with MCC when I was a forest supervisor. Until I was approached by MCC, I hadn’t thought about joining the board. But I realized I’d love to be a part of this and see how I can build support. The Forest Service is a big partner for MCC, so I hope I can use my experience to be helpful and make connections. I’m in my first year on the board, and it’s exciting to see the inner workings and thorny challenges. MCC’s budget, federal budgets, the government shutdown… It’s been really fascinating. I hope as the years go by, I’ll figure out how to help even more.

Why do you support MCC, and why do you like serving on the Board?

I absolutely believe in the mission and in young people being of service. It’s different than getting out of school and getting your first job. It’s really about learning life skills, learning to work with other people, and learning to give back. I think that’s incredibly important.

Do you have anything you want to share with other MCC supporters?

I’d love for donors, friends, and my past colleagues to reach out if they want to learn more! You can email Aaron, MCC’s Director of Philanthropy, for more 
info at: aaron@mtcorps.org.