Gather ‘round to hear tales straight from the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex during an event on April 17. 

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation will host Stories from the Backcountry: Preserving the Resource edition at Sacred Waters Brewing Co. from 6-8 p.m. The evening will feature two special guests sharing stories from years spent traversing the wilderness: Roy Jacobs and Ben Chappelow.

Jacobs has been a hunter and guide along the Rocky Mountain Front for decades. An avid conservationist, Jacobs was at the forefront of the passage of the Rocky Mountain Heritage Act, which expanded the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex by 67,000 acres in 2014.

On the flip side of the conservation coin, Ben Chappelow serves as game warden with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1, which includes the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness areas. To patrol the wilderness, Chappelow travels on horseback, skis and snowshoes to check on hunters and anglers, help with bear conflicts, and monitor backcountry camps.

In addition to storytelling, the evening will celebrate the launch of BMWF’s 2025 slate of Volunteer Adventures that opened for registration on  April 14. It will also kick off the foundation’s spring fundraising campaign to support their 50 plus trail and habitat restoration projects planned for this summer, to help fill the gap left by frozen federal funds.

“There’s no better way to celebrate the unique character of the Bob than with a rowdy bunch of stories that couldn’t have happened anywhere else,” shared Clifford Kipp, foundation executive director. “These guys have seen it all, and have dedicated their lives to preserving this wild place. We can’t wait to hear their stories as we gear up for another rewarding season of backcountry stewardship in the Bob.”

The evening is free of charge and open to all.

To learn more about this event and volunteering in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex at the Foundation's website at bmwf.org.