Stories from the backcountry event is Thursday

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation will host “Stories from the Backcountry: Preserving the Resource edition,” at Sacred Waters Brewing Co. on Thursday, April 17. From 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature two special guests sharing stories from years spent traversing the wilderness: Roy Jacobs and Ben Chappelow.

Roy Jacobs has been a hunter and guide along the Rocky Mountain Front for decades. An avid conservationist, Jacobs was at the forefront of the passage of the Rocky Mountain Heritage Act, which expanded the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex by 67,000 acres in 2014.

On the flip side of the conservation coin, Ben Chappelow serves as game warden with Montana FWP Region 1, which includes the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness areas. To patrol the wilderness, Chappelow travels on horseback, skis and snowshoes to check on hunters and anglers, help with bear conflicts, and monitor backcountry camps.

In addition to storytelling, the evening will celebrate the launch of BMWF’s 2025 slate of Volunteer Adventures that open for registration on Monday, April 14th. It will also kick off the Foundation’s spring fundraising campaign to support their 50+ trail and habitat restoration projects planned for this summer, to help fill the gap left by frozen federal funds.

“There’s no better way to celebrate the unique character of the Bob than with a rowdy bunch of stories that couldn’t have happened anywhere else,” shared Clifford Kipp, BMWF Executive Director. “These guys have seen it all, and have dedicated their lives to preserving this wild place. We can’t wait to hear their stories as we gear up for another rewarding season of backcountry stewardship in the Bob.”

This event is part of a series of Stories from the Backcountry events that Sacred Waters Brewing Co. has hosted since 2023. The evening is free of charge and open to all.

You can learn more about this event and volunteering in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex at the Foundation’s website: bmwf.org