Amber Martin, ’24
Amber Martin, ’24, is using her education and life experiences to improve mental health and suicide prevention awareness through the Colorado National Monument’s (CNM) Resiliency Ranger Program. The first of its kind, the Resiliency Ranger Program has spent five years developing curriculum to educate students, families, veterans, front-line workers and community members about the importance of spending time outside, and Martin has been the one to deliver this message.
Before becoming the first Resiliency Ranger, Martin enrolled at CMU to pursue a bachelor’s in outdoor recreation industry studies combined with what she described to be the glue to her degree: a minor in social work. Her vision to combine these two concentrations, along with the aspiration to obtain her master’s in social work, led her to be the perfect candidate to connect others with the healing powers of nature.
Since taking on her new role, Martin has worked tirelessly to bridge multiagency relationships with organizations like Mesa County Behavioral Health, Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Veteran Affairs Western Colorado Healthcare System, the Grand Junction Vet Center, Mesa County School District 51 and CMU.
Martin ensures this program and park passes reach the hands of people in need. She uses the program’s curriculum to teach people how to create positive mindsets, increase collaboration and grow compassion for others. Such skills can help guide people through life’s difficult moments.
Martin’s own diverse life experiences have put her resilience to the test. She attended the French Culinary Institute and later worked in New York and New Jersey restaurants. She obtained her Commercial Driver’s License and drove oil rigs in Texas. She also served in the United States Air Force as a military police officer. She often practices mindfulness in her own life by hiking with colleagues and floating on one of the Southwest’s magnificent rivers.
She credits her position in the Resiliency Ranger program to her bosses CNM Superintendent Nathan Souder and Interpretation and Education Program Manager Kait Thomas.
“At the heart of this, it’s my bosses that are doing the monumental work. They’re the champions who are pushing this program as hard as they can. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to do this every day.”
She is extremely prideful and yet humble to be a part of a trailblazing and quote, “Maverick,” initiative.