2006 Honorary Member Profile : Jeff Lambert

"Conservationist First Class" is a rating aptly applied to Jeff Lambert, the Mountaineer's newest -- and 35th -- honorary member.

Jeff has given the club 10 years of unwavering initiative, tenacity and leadership in conservation efforts -- all with a cheerful, "we can do it" demeanor that inspires member support and participation. Take a brief look back:

Conservation Committee Chair off and on (mostly "on") since appointment by president Bob Loomis in '96….
Hike after hike -- many including the public -- into areas with Federally designated wilderness potential and, locally, to garner support for the Conservation Futures natural area preservation program….
Conservation committee meetings to exchange views with congressional candidates and, for county commissioner hopefuls, both a well-attended public forum and hikes to develop appreciation for public acquisition of more Dishman Ridge lands….
Marshalling members to "speak their piece" for the non-motorized users at innumerable Forest Service planning sessions -- some far field - and bringing the forest staffers into Mountaineer meetings....
Driving endless miles and spending countless hours to represent the Mountaineers in wilderness coalitions and joint projects with other outdoor and conservation organizations, including a seat on an important State advisory committee: NOVA (Non-highway and Off-road Vehicle Activities) where he's had significant influence on spending for non-motorized forest uses….
Steady support for the Mountaineer-inspired Dream Trail coalition to acquire a wildlife/public corridor between the Dishman Hills and the Rocks of Sharon, and the imminently-successful push led by Chris Kopczynski to open Big Rock to public use….
Soliciting crews for and putting his own time and muscle into trail building/maintenance and cleanup projects both locally and throughout the region….
Generously opening his home -- and sharing his considerable culinary skills -- a myriad of times for meetings, Earth Day after-hike barbecues, work sessions, etc….

"He's amazing in his perseverance," Steve Reynolds exclaims. "Most of us just do what's immediately necessary and don't look at all the angles. Jeff does." Eric Christianson adds, "He always takes on jobs for the club that no one else wants, like conservation and its legalese."

Introductions to the Mountaineers and to snow sports were simultaneous in December '83. "Just rent some skis and meet me at Mt. Spokane tomorrow," urged Tom McMaster over Friday night beer with other Bovay engineers.

"While having a fine time skiing around, I met some other Mountaineers and -- not knowing where I was going -- followed them down to the Chalet where a great party was underway," Jeff recalls. The next weekend the neophyte was on icy Horton Ridge with several more experienced members. "I was out of control, didn't know how to edge and was in danger of hypothermia." But he was hooked.

"Once I got into the groove in the Mountaineers I very quickly did everything," Jeff enthuses, "especially cross-country skiing, telemarking, hiking, backpacking and bicycling."

He plunged quickly into leading or assisting. The '80s Kinnikinnicks show great variety: Tuesday night skis, Leigh Lake/Snowshoe backpacks, Liberty Lake bike ride, telemarking at 49 Degrees, Lake Pend O'Reille water sports weekend, Annual Banquet, Chalet Christmas party, etc….

Numerous hikes, car camps and Chalet events were "for kids," with at least two listing daughter Rachel, born in l980, as assistant leader. "She really liked the Chalet," Jeff explains, "and it was a great place to bring her."

Jeff took Mountain School in '85 -- topping Mt. Hood on the graduation climb -- and the avalanche seminar. ("I had a great trip to Mexico to climb the volcanoes in '05 and hope to do a lot more, maybe even Kenya and Kilimanjaro," he says.)

The club website was launched by Jeff, working with George Neal, in '96. Rich Landers called it one of the country's best. "Today, it is much better," Jeff points out, typically giving credit to others. After coordinating mountain biking for two years in the late '90s, he says Leo Griffin "took over and made it a strong activity committee." He dubs club conservation work a "team effort," saying, "I don't claim more credit than anyone else on the committee."

And Jeff gives the club kudos for daughter Rachel's work interests. They took Backpacking School together in '97 and Mountaineers have enjoyed and appreciated her presence at many club events before and after, including six Summer Outings. "She is now a science teacher and outdoor guide," Jeff points out, "and I credit the club for helping give her the experience to choose a career in the outdoors." (She's also a great cook and hostess, by the way, and a Whitman College graduate.)

Club president Kelsey Loughlin welcomes Jeff's cheerful disposition at Board meetings: "His spirit of teamwork and good natured personality always help create a fun and productive atmosphere." He was elected a Trustee in '05. "It's a way that I can give back to the club," Jeff emphasizes.

Conservation interest sprouted early. Born the first of four children in '53 while his parents were students at the University of Illinois in Urbana, he soon moved to Appleton City, Missouri. Jeff loved the outdoors, becoming a Boy Scout and reading Rachel Carson. "I made the connection between the outdoors and conservation," Jeff remembers. "I decided that somebody had to save the earth and that somebody would be me."

In his early teens he counseled and taught nature/conservation courses at a huge Boy Scout camp an hour's drive away in Kansas City. At 17, he was managing the nature department.

Civil engineering studies followed at Houston's Rice University, where Jeff sought out the few available environmentally oriented classes. He earned a BA in Environmental Engineering in '76 and a Master of Environmental Science in '80.

Work as a staff engineer in Bovay Engineers' local office brought Jeff to Spokane in March '82 from Missoula, where his wife was studying toward her doctorate. In '86 he was elected president of the Washington Society of Professional Engineers' local chapter after serving as treasurer, secretary and vice-president. Mountaineer activity slackened a bit in January '89 when Jeff established his own environmental engineering firm, Lambert Group, Inc., which continues today.

Broad club involvement in the successful '97 campaign to renew the county Conservation Futures tax was an eye-opener. "I could see that the Mountaineers made a huge difference," he says. "I was not aware of the club's potential power in an area like that before."

"We have the possibility of getting a lot done," he enthuses, pointing to the Dream Trail, the '07 legislative session potential for more stable and better funding for state parks and outdoor recreation and a push for Federal "wilderness area" designations for Scotchman Peaks, Abercrombie/Hooknose, Quartsite in the Kettle Range and Salmo-Priest expansion.

He also commends the club for its emphasis on safety and many training programs. "The amount of public service that I see far exceeds what I would expect for an organization of this size," he states. "It's a sign of a strong and mature organization."

Fellow honorary member Steve Reynolds eloquently sums up Jeff's contribution:
"Conservation issues are often overlooked or forgotten by many of us outdoor enthusiasts who find it hard to devote energy to more than one or two primary outdoor activities whether it be hiking, climbing, skiing, biking or boating. Jeff sets himself apart by not only participating in all, but devoting even more energy and time to the broad range of conservation issues in our greater region affecting us both as outdoors people and general community members.

"Due to Jeff's consistent work efforts, communication, motivation and leadership, we are much more aware of and involved with conservation projects and issues; we as individuals and outdoor recreationists, the Spokane Mountaineers as a club, and all those in the greater Inland Northwest community are richer for it."

Jeff does find time for play. "I was as active this summer as I've ever been," he points out, citing backpacks in the Tetons, Glacier Peak Wilderness and Alpine Lakes.

"It's all been great!" he says with relish. "Club activities will continue to be an important part of my life."

--Lorna Ream