Biography
Longtime writer and outdoor professional, Molly has published over 300 articles in more than 50 different publications including Outside, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Sierra, and Discover. She is the co-author of the popular book, Climbing: Self Rescue, along with pieces in multiple anthologies. A graduate of Colorado College, Yale University, and writing programs such as the Banff Centre and Middlebury College, Molly's work focuses on health, conservation and recreation. She is current writing a book about Everest E.R. and editing health and environment related projects for Yale and Harvard affiliated organizations. To learn more visit, mollyloomis.com
Paper Abstract
Over the last two years I have made multiple trips traversing the country along the 43rd parallel. Why the 43rd parallel? Forty-three degrees is the latitude of my home in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Sense of place is emphasized throughout the region and for many, if not most, connection to land, its elements, and animals is a form of religion in and of itself. Leaving Yellowstone for Yale, I wanted to understand how people in other parts of the country view their connection to their place--if it held the same sort of sacred status I was used to. Considering latitude is a primary driver of a place's unique ecosystem characteristics, I decided to follow the 43rd parallel east asking people along the way how they connect to their place.
Please join in me in this multi-media presentation of stories, research, and text from the road that includes interpretations of place ranging from northern Native American tribes, Mormonism, Irish shamanism, and the non-denominational spiritual kinships many feel when they spend time engaging with place through various forms of recreation. It will also touch upon anthropological, philosophical, and social science aspects of how place shapes us.
My travels solidified the necessity and urgency why I believe these conversations are so imperative in era of ecological crisis and the need to reacquaint ourselves as a species with the words, feelings, and conversations that convey humans relationship to the non-human world no matter if one is located in an urban, suburban or rural environment.