Deborah Richie Communications

About Me

Writing about our place in the natural world comes naturally. My most powerful early influences in my work came from my conservationist father and living in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, Washington. Today, I write from Missoula, Montana -- in the shadow of Mt. Jumbo.

Since the 1980s, I've penned and edited magazine and newspaper articles, columns, radio field notes, brochures for national wildlife refuges, interpretive signs and handbooks. My subjects range from sandhill cranes to buffalo jumps. I've run a national media campaign for the International Association of Fish and Wildlife and Agencies called Teaming With Wildlife. I've authored two handbooks, Taking Care of the Bitterroot Watershed, A Citizen's Guide, and Providing Positive Wildlife Viewing Experiences. When not writing, I enjoy teaching interpretation, writing and wildlife viewing workshops. I also take workshops to continue to hone skills, including participating in the Environmental Writing Institute with author David James Duncan at Teller Wildlife Refuge, Montana (May 2004).

When it comes to the growing field of birding trails and wildlife viewing, I can offer more than writing skills. I coordinated the development of the Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail, the pilot project for Montana (2004-05). I also served as the first state watchable wildlife coordinator for Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (1989-92) then as a regional coordinator for the US Forest Service (Montana, Northern Idaho and parts of the Dakotas) and Montana Nature Conservancy (1992-95).

My degrees are in Journalism (MA, University of Montana, 1988) and in Biology (BA, University of Oregon, 1981).

When not blending the natural and cultural world with pen and word processor, I spend time exploring nature with my husband, Dave, and son, Ian. Our wandering has taken us as far as McNeil River State Game Sanctuary in Alaska where Dave and I reveled in watching brown bears fishing, courting and playing in a vast wilderness.

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