Ryan Ghelfi
December 17, 2024
Nothing is certain in this world. News of the US Forest Service seasonal worker hiring freeze has been spreading rapidly. We still don’t know what this will mean on the ground in the Wilderness areas we love over the coming years, but it’s likely not great news.
The Selway-Bitterroot Foundation (our name was changed to the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation in 2012) was born in 2006 out of a need for increased on-the-ground stewardship in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Many of the trails were degrading, and the workforce needed to maintain this massive area had been deficient for decades.
Over the past twenty years, SBFC has made significant strides in addressing these challenges, but the task remains immense. Despite our efforts, Wilderness users continue to witness an urgent need for more dedicated people to keep these areas accessible, maintain essential Wilderness skills, and preserve our human connection to these wild places.
SBFC can play a more prominent role in this narrative. It’s within our collective power. I rarely discuss money in my regular dispatches from the director's desk. It’s not the subject that people are the most excited about, but without it, none of our work— whether it’s trail restoration, youth expeditions, or volunteer projects— would be possible.
This is not a call for donations, but rather an invitation to think about our collective legacy. What kind of world do we want to leave for our children? How do we want them to engage with the Selway-Bitterroot and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas?
It’s a bit personal, but I’ll share this: At 36, creating my own will hasn’t been top of mind. Yet, with three kids, I know it’s an overlooked responsibility I must address in 2025. Reflecting on mortality, legacy, and finances has made me consider what I value most. And ensuring that others can experience this Wild country— whether in the Selway, the Frank, or other Wilderness areas in the American West— is something I deeply care about. That’s why I’ve decided that SBFC and other key organizations will be beneficiaries in my will.
Here is my ask: If you haven’t already, consider including SBFC in your will or trust. A simple step today can guarantee the long-term viability of these remarkable places, regardless of political winds. And if you’ve already taken this step, please let me know. Your commitment and motivation are invaluable to us, and I would love to hear your story.
Opening pathways for all to discover and steward the Selway Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return is at the core of what we do, and who we are today, and it will continue to drive us forward. I want to thank each of you for coming on this journey with us.
The Selway-Bitterroot Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and our Federal Tax ID is 27-2868220.