INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND A LOVE FOR CONSERVATION
In this episode, host Dave Bastian talks with ACE staff members Caroline Canter and Keean Ruane—who share their backgrounds in guiding young adults into the backcountry and watching them transform through these experiences.
Together, they explore what makes backcountry hitches such uniquely powerful experiences. From the joy of living immersed in wild places to the personal breakthroughs that happen miles from the trailhead, Caroline and Keean share stories of resilience, confidence-building, and unforgettable wilderness moments—including wildlife encounters, personal transformations, and the camaraderie that makes conservation culture so meaningful.
And for anyone considering their first step into the outdoors, the episode offers practical, beginner-friendly backpacking tips—from choosing the right gear and managing pack weight to staying comfortable in challenging environments. Caroline and Keean share the guidance they give new ACE members and students, including the small skills and mindset shifts that make backcountry travel accessible to anyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker, an aspiring ACE member, or simply curious about what life looks like behind the scenes on a conservation crew, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and inspiration from people who have lived it.
Creators and Guests
Host
Dave Bastian
Dave Bastian has spent the past sixteen years working in the world of youth conservation corps programs. Before his time in the Corps world, Dave was Director of Operations at Save Our Canyons and the Membership and Outreach Coordinator at the Utah Rivers Council. Dave was a founding member of the Utah Youth Corps Collaborative and has served on numerous steering committees, including the Western Collaborative Conservation Network and the Utah Trails Forum. He studied graphic design at the University of Utah. In his spare time, he rows rafts, skies, rides bikes, plays guitar, and chases his young daughter around the Public Lands of the Four Corners region.
Guest
Caroline Canter
Caroline Canter has been a conservation non-profit professional for over a decade, enjoying everything from trail work in the PNW backcountry to the operational support in the office. Based in SLC, you’ll find her sharing her recreation and conservation passion through teaching courses and exploring mountains, desert and rivers with her community.
Guest
Keean Ruane
Keean is a Pennsylvania native who moved out west after college to join ACE as a 6 month Forestry Intern. He fell in love with the work that ACE does and hasn't left since. He has held the position of Crew Leader, Trails Trainer, Project Manager Associate Director and now Director of the Arizona and Utah divisions of ACE. Outside of work he spends a lot of time on his mountain bike or on his dirtbike.
Producer
Leanne Fisher
Leanne Fisher is a seasoned marketing professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Marketing Director at American Conservation Experience (ACE). She has successfully blended her passion for conservation with her background in leading marketing efforts for nonprofit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs (Kansas City) and the YWCA (Boulder County), as well as for-profit organizations. At ACE, Leanne is dedicated to elevating the organization’s mission, inspiring engagement, and connecting people to purpose through compelling storytelling and strategic communications.
