WRMC Announces 2017 Charles (Reb) Gregg Award Recipient
Portland, Maine—Shana Tarter, a founding member of the Wilderness Risk Management Conference and assistant director of NOLS Wilderness Medicine, was awarded the Charles (Reb) Gregg Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in risk management to the outdoor education and adventure industry. She was presented with the award at the Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) in early November in Portland.
Tarter has attended the WRMC 21 times since its first year in Conway, WA. In her acceptance speech, she thanked colleagues who have contributed to her growth and leadership. She also commented on the evolution of the WRMC from a conference that debated the place of technology in the outdoors to one that is embracing and learning to adapt to an increasingly complex and connected world. The speech concluded with advice for attendees encouraging taking action and forming relationships to build on lessons learned at the conference.
“Over the last three decades, Shana Tarter has helped re-shape the world of adventure education, with a quiet, methodical, evidence-based leadership style…She has helped evolve and professionalize the world of wilderness medicine training…She created the NOLS Risk Management Training for Adventure Program Administrators, which has had a profoundly positive effect on risk management and safety standards in North America,” commented Brendan Madden, who introduced Tarter. Madden is the director of learning and adventure for Outward Bound Canada.
Tarter has been involved in the outdoor industry in various roles for over 30 years, including as a field and wilderness medicine instructor at NOLS, a risk management consultant for NOLS, and the Cornell University associate director for outdoor education. She is also the creator of the NOLS Risk Management Training for Adventure Program Administrators.
About the WRMC
The Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) unites hundreds of leading outdoor organizations annually to educate wilderness practitioners on practical risk management skills. It is conducted by NOLS, Outward Bound, and the SCA. The core objective of the WRMC is to offer an outstanding educational experience to help mitigate the risks inherent in exploring, working, teaching, and recreating in wild places.
About NOLS
NOLS is the world’s most comprehensive wilderness school. Students of any age learn communication, good judgment, and grit through developing outdoor skills, risk management, and wilderness medicine expertise in a hands-on environment. Students graduate from their courses prepared to step forward and lead their communities in a changing world. To discover the NOLS experience or to bring a course to your business or organization, call (800) 710-NOLS (6657) or visit www.nols.edu.
