Jessy Stevenson, a fifth-generation Montanan on her father’s side and a descendant of the Blackfeet Nation on her mother’s, grew up in the foothills of the Mission Mountains in the Swan Valley of rural western Montana. From an early age, she was captivated by the intricate relationships between people and the natural world, a passion that guided her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation and Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. Graduating with honors in 2019, Jessy also earned a minor in Wilderness Studies, immersing herself in the landscapes and communities that would shape her career.

During her time at the University of Montana, Jessy co-hosted “Stories from the Skillet,” a bi-weekly storytelling event that fostered community connections through shared narratives. She also interned with the University’s Wilderness Institute, where she organized significant events like the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and led multi-day backcountry trips.

During her time as a River Management Education Fellow with Wild Rose Education, she created and published Let’s Talk Rivers, a deliberative forum guide designed to be a key tool in community-based river management and education.

In 2019, Jessy was awarded the Wyss Fellowship, which launched her work with American Rivers. As the Montana Public Lands Fellow and later Northern Rockies Associate Director, she played a pivotal role in advancing river protection initiatives, including the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act. Jessy authored the story map titled Montana’s Legacy of River Protection, just one of her many community outreach projects across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Her engagement also included internal working groups including American River’s national Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee, National Wildfire and Rivers Working Group, and National Women’s Leadership Group.

In 2022, Jessy joined The Wilderness Society as the Crown Community Conservation Specialist, where she continues her work in conservation and community engagement. Jessy established a Regional Recreation Working Group, focusing on equitable access and community-led solutions in the Crown of the Continent landscape. Jessy’s dedication to the land and its people is also reflected in her role as Vice Chair of the Board of Swan Valley Connections (SVC), where she actively shapes the organization’s education and conservation initiatives. Recently, she played a key role on SVC’s Leadership Transition Team, where she contributed to the development and implementation of a new and exciting co-leadership model.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jessy is a published illustrator and a passionate advocate for storytelling and community resilience. She continues to explore the landscapes of Montana with her partner, Forrest, and their dog, Naki, drawing inspiration from the land that has always been at the heart of her work. Jessy’s commitment to family, conservation, and the power of narrative remains the driving force behind her contributions to both her local community and the broader natural environment.

By Casey Ryan