HILLARY WALRATH
Wildlife biologist, manager of the Henry’s Fork waterway for Trout Unlimited, and founder of the Seedskadee Women’s Fly Fishing Float
Wildlife biologist Hillary Walrath’s life revolves around the river. It’s her mission to work with land owners to find creative solutions that benefit people and wildlife.
“People need these wild places to disconnect. We live in a very fast-paced world and technology is great, but it doesn’t solve all of our problems. I think it’s very important that we make people aware of these wild places, so they want to keep them around for future generations.”
Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge on the Green River, Wyoming — one of Hillary’s favorite places to disconnect and where she teaches women to fly fish as part of the annual Seedskadee Women’s Fly Fishing Float — an event she created to empower women to get outside with their families, fish and utilize Wyoming’s wild places.
Listen to Hillary’s story.
Hillary Walrath grew up on a remote ranger station in northern Idaho where the Lochsa River flowed through her backyard. That experience instilled an intrinsic connection to water, wild places, and rivers, which have remained a constant presence in her life, and which she has translated into her career. As a Wildlife Biologist and Outreach Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, Hillary’s mission is to find creative, smart solutions that work for both wildlife and landowners. With increasing populations, pressures on natural resources, and the value of water in the West, creative problem solving is called for on a daily basis.
She’s also an avid outdoorswoman and founder of the Seedskadee Women’s Fly Fishing Float, an annual fly fishing event that empowers women to get on the water and learn to fish. As a mother of two daughters, Hillary noticed she was often the only woman on the river; she created the float to inspire more women to feel confident getting outside with their families.
Her goals with her recreational and conservation outreach efforts are to instill value and appreciation for Wyoming’s wild places and to inspire more people to utilize public lands so they care about the preservation of land for future generations.
An avid fly fisherwoman and conservationist, Hillary’s mission is to encourage others to recreate and care about the preservation of Wyoming’s wild places.
“The river connects with my soul and who I am. Having the opportunity to give back to rivers and these beautiful places is just the best opportunity and what I love most about the work that I do.”
Hillary teaches her two young daughters to love nature and Wyoming’s wild places.
“Women are the influencers for the next generation, which is why it’s so crucial to preserve these wild places that we love.”
Wildlife biologist Hillary Walrath inspects an area of the Henry’s Fork river, which she manages as an outreach coordinator for Trout Unlimited.
