In this episode, I sat down with a Wynnette Bell (Eastern Shoshone/Northern Arapaho), who is a Crew Lead for the Arizona Conservation Corps and originally from Wyoming which is home to the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. She started doing conservation work at the age of 16 and now in her early twenties, she’s found refuge in the work she does. Tune in as she shares her journey of finding purpose, resilience, and identity through hands-on service in the wild landscapes. From early mornings with a shovel in hand to long hikes under the desert sun, Wynnette opens up about adapting to the various landscapes and the challenges of working on public lands — and the unexpected rewards that come with it.
We explore what it means to “serve the land” as a young adult, how living and working in remote areas shaped her perspective on the environment, teamwork, and why conservation work is about much more than trail maintenance. Some of the work involves fencing, invasive vegetation removal, environmental education, restoration preservation, tree planting etc. It’s about finding direction, confidence, and connection — even in the dust and sweat of the backcountry.
