Supporter Spotlight: Stephanie Barry
This month, we’re excited to spotlight Stephanie Barry, a devoted Issaquah Alps Trails Club board member whose love for local trails grew during the pandemic. Her passion for conservation and connection to nature drive her work to advocate for these special places for future generations.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Barry.
By Stephanie Barry, IATC Board Member
I moved to Seattle just days before the COVID-19 pandemic began and quickly found myself confined to a small apartment. The trails along I-90 became a place of solace and connection for me, especially in those early days. They gave me a way to get out of the house while staying socially distanced; they kept me healthy and active—both physically and mentally. I found more peace on those trails than I have anywhere else in the world. I realized how incredibly fortunate I was to live in a place with such easy access to these beautiful natural resources.
But I also came to understand that these places don’t just preserve themselves. As a frequent trail user, I started searching for local nonprofits involved in conservation efforts. That’s when I found the Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC).
I’m now on the board of IATC, and it’s been a really wonderful experience. I joined to take a more active role in protecting and conserving the resources we’re lucky to have in our own backyards. I hadn’t worked in land conservation before and wanted to learn what was involved and how I could contribute. Since joining the board, I’ve learned so much about the advocacy work required to protect the places and natural resources we all love. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about and lead restoration events. I’ve also become a more proactive and engaged citizen—participating in forums, researching policy, and learning about the views of local leaders on land management and environmental topics. Through IATC and our partners, I’ve learned from an incredibly wide range of people and perspectives.
Group photo at Big Tree Ridge TH Restoration Event, photo courtesy of Stephanie Barry.
We are so fortunate to have access to such beautiful and accessible public lands. I feel at home, at peace, and like the best version of myself when I’m immersed in nature. I think many of us are craving that kind of connection—standing in awe of a mountaintop view, a wildflower in full bloom, a crystal-clear alpine lake, or the soft moss in an old-growth forest. I know how much peace these trails have brought me, and I truly believe that everyone would benefit from experiencing them. We owe it to ourselves—and future generations—to do everything we can to protect our public lands.
One of my favorite trails in the Issaquah Alps is Cable Line. It makes you work and is completely unrelenting. I love the challenge and the mental endurance it requires to climb straight up the mountain. It's short enough that I feel like I can really push myself. That trail reminds me to approach life with humility—and to appreciate the value and satisfaction of hard work. I usually reward myself afterward with a descent that's a little easier, giving me the chance to slow down and take in my surroundings.
Stephanie hiking Loowit Trail on Mt. St. Helens, photo courtesy of Stephanie Barry.
This season, I’m aiming to simply get outside once or twice every weekend—to climb a mountain, go for a run, or explore a new area. I love the convenience of living in Seattle and being able to slip away to the mountains for a morning. That accessibility is something I never take for granted.
Interested in becoming more involved with IATC and joining our Board of Directors?