Outdoor Allies: Anneka Williams

I grew up in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains where being outside was just a way of life, and an integral part of my home community. In the summer my family spent a lot of time exploring the woods behind our house, hiking local trails, and going on canoe paddling trips all over New England. In the winter, skiing was the best way to survive Vermont’s frigid temperatures and snow, and I loved ripping glade laps at Mad River Glen or Nordic skiing with my parents. My family also co-owned a yak farm and I spent a lot of time rambling around the fields, moving hay, and learning to appreciate the subtle shifts in seasons and how that changed our chores around the farm. 

As I’ve gotten older, spending time outside, whether it’s in a public park or remote wilderness,  continues to be a touchstone for me and my values. In my free time, you can usually find me skiing, trail running, biking, or plotting my next big mountain adventure. 

You’re new to your role as policy director at Winter Wildlands Alliance, one of our nine member orgs. Can you tell us more about your journey into advocacy, and how it led to your current role?

My background is in climate science and specifically how climate change affects high altitudes and high latitudes. When the Trump administration took office, my work was really curtailed by the administration’s crackdown on anything and everything related to addressing climate change. I felt I needed to pivot in order to keep having an impact and was psyched to be able to join the Winter Wildlands Alliance team where we are working to protect wild snowscapes.

Given your background in climate, what’s different about working at a recreation organization, and what’s unique about the work that Winter Wildlands Alliance does?