May Supporter Spotlight
Our monthly Alpiner e-newsletter now features a supporter of the Issaquah Alps Trails Club in each edition. Our goal is to fulfill our strategic priority for engaging people in our work through storytelling by highlighting the positive impacts of human connections in our community.
Hedyeh (pictured) on July 21, 2019 on the Little Creek/Military Road hike on Cougar Mountain lead by Steve Williams.
IATC Executive Director, Lindsay Frickle, interviewed Hedyeh Arjomand this month. Hedyeh has been a regular participant in our group hiking program over the past few years and also contributes to our mission as a donor. She was born in Italy and grew up in Iran, but has lived in Bellevue for over 30 years and raised her two boys here. Hedyeh works in investment services and cares deeply about our local environment.
How did you first get involved with the IATC?
What drew me first were the guided hikes. I was looking to get fit and spend time in our beautiful nature, and a friend introduced me to the Issaquah Alps. I appreciate the free community service that the IATC provides to all of us, to create a group of like-minded people who enjoy the beauty of nature in the Issaquah Alps. That is really the first thing that drew me in -- I loved every hike I went on -- the peace and serenity in nature is so enjoyable and I really appreciate it. Steve Williams, David Kappler, Denice Carnahan, and Ralph Owen were all wonderful hike leaders..
What inspired you to make a donation in support of the IATC?
The mission of the IATC really aligns well with my beliefs, to engage the public to preserve, promote, and protect the Issaquah Alps for present and future generations -- it is near and dear to my heart. I believe in protecting nature and the mission also aligns with my religious beliefs. Most religions have a component about protecting nature -- when you're in nature you feel that you're connecting with a higher power.
Why are public lands and access to parks, trails, forests important to you?
It’s important to me because I enjoy being in nature so much. To me it promotes a sense of well being and a sense of spiritual health as well as physical health.
What do you hope the IATC will achieve as an organization?
I hope that we will continue with community engagement and provide guided hikes. It is a big service to people and gives a feeling of being part of a community. I also really appreciate the advocacy work and preserving plots of land that could go into private hands. The IATC tries to acquire lands and preserve and protect them as well as the animals and their natural corridors, like in Coal Creek. The IATC has supported a lot of campaigns over the years to preserve public lands, and I really appreciate that.
How do you see yourself getting involved in the future?
I do continue to support the work monetarily, but I would consider being a hike leader if I could. I will be the first to sign up for the hikes probably!
What are your summer plans for outdoor recreation?
Issaquah Alps guided hikes are what I look forward to the most. My family is looking forward to blueberry picking together, going to the different parks and beaches, and just being outside as much as we can.
**This interview is a summary of the conversation Lindsay had with Hedyeh this month.