Backcountry hunting, fishing, adventure, nutrition define two new BHA board members

MISSOULA, Mont. – Heather Kelly and J.R. Young have joined the national board of directors of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, bringing passion and expertise in backcountry nutrition, adventure and locavore values to the leadership of the rapidly growing sportsmen's group.

Heather Kelly is an avid hunter, angler, backpacker and outdoor adventurer. Kelly launched Heather's Choice Meals for Adventuring in 2014 to combine her love of sports nutrition and backcountry packrafting. Her emphasis has always been on high-quality, whole foods nutrition. With signature dishes such as smoked sockeye salmon chowder and blueberry buckwheat breakfast, Heather's Choice has gained recognition as a healthy, delicious, portable food option for the backcountry. Kelly has a degree in evolutionary nutrition from Western Washington University and a professional certification in eating psychology and has spent several seasons as a raft guide in Colorado and Alaska. She was born and raised in Bird Creek, Alaska, which she still calls home today.

"Heather brings business acumen, a connection to the outdoors through food and a sense for adventure that will be valuable assets to BHA," said BHA President and CEO Land Tawney. "The demographic she represents is exactly who we want at BHA."

"I couldn't be more excited to join forces with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers," said Kelly. "As a hunter, I appreciate having such a supportive network of people who are passionate about getting outside and feeding their families healthy meat. I can't wait to help grow BHA – particularly our Alaska chapter – and gain a whole lot of new friends in the process!"

Raised in Bellevue, Washington, J.R. Young currently lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Los Gatos, California, with his wife, son, dog and chickens. At his house most activities surround food: hunting for food, fishing for food, foraging for food, canning food, preparing food and, most importantly, sharing the experience of food with friends and sometimes complete strangers. Young has degrees in political science from the University of Washington and accounting from Fairfield University. After spending 11 years as a tax accountant he has joined his wife in her naturopathic medical clinic.  

"J.R. has been in the BHA family for a long time," said Tawney, "first as a member, next as a leader with our California chapter and now on our national board. He exemplifies our boots on the ground mantra and brings political savviness, accounting expertise and a sophisticated palate to our ranks."

"I attended the second BHA North American Rendezvous in Boise on a whim," said Young. "I found lifelong friends and kindred spirits who share my love of hunting and conserving public lands. More importantly, I found an organization dedicated to preserving the public lands legacy that Roosevelt and Pinchot established more than a century ago."

Kelly and Young officially joined the BHA board in January and will be attending BHA's 6th annual North American Rendezvous in Missoula, Montana, in April. A record-breaking crowd of outdoor enthusiasts is anticipated at the dynamic sportsmen's gathering.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the sportsmen's voice
for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.

Learn more about BHA:
Visit our website.
Connect with us on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter.
Find us on Instagram.

http://www.backcountryhunters.org/

Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org