How a Lifetime of Outdoors Led Mary Weathers to Protect the Places She Loves
By Carol Corbin, Philanthropy Director, Inland Northwest Land Conservancy
Not everyone begins their life outdoors from the back of a horse at two years old. But that’s exactly how Mary Weathers’ story starts. One of her earliest memories is of her father catching a fish in a mountain pond—their dinner on her first horsepacking trip. Spending summers in and around Sequoia National Park, Mary spent her childhood and teen years roaming freely, scaling peaks, exploring valleys, and developing a deep, lasting connection to the natural world.
That connection only grew stronger over time. After meeting her husband, Larry, backpacking became central to their life together. With more than 100 trips behind them, Mary still remembers standing at Image Lake, watching Glacier Peak reflected in still water. She often carried her camera along the way, capturing the landscapes she loved—while, she notes with a smile, Larry carried most of the rest.
When they moved to the Inland Northwest in 1978 to start their careers as psychologists, Mary and Larry found exactly what they were looking for: a place where wild lands were close at hand. They joined the Spokane Mountaineers, and Mary began leading hikes and backpacking trips, introducing others to the same sense of wonder she had known since childhood.
But for Mary, loving the outdoors was never quite enough. Early on, she saw how easily special places could be lost—and how important it was for people to step in and protect them. Over the years, she gave her time and leadership to that work, including 14 years on the board of Dishman Hills Conservancy. She also found small, personal ways to connect others to the land—sending handwritten notes to fellow supporters, often paired with her own photographs from the trails.
After Larry’s passing, Mary found herself facing decisions she hadn’t spent much time considering before. Then, by chance, she ran into her friend Janni Hills, who was navigating a similar path. What began as a chance meeting turned into a long conversation—sharing stories, comparing notes, and reflecting on what it means to plan for the future. As Mary puts it, “You work hard to make it, and then you have to work hard to give it away.”
That conversation helped shape Mary’s next steps. Like Janni, she chose to create a plan that reflects the values that have guided her life—ensuring that the places and causes she cares about will continue to be supported for years to come, including the lands protected by Inland Northwest Land Conservancy.
“I appreciate that INLC works to conserve land in many different ways—for people, and for plants and animals, too,” Mary says. “It just feels like a natural fit.”
Mary encourages others who are considering their own plans to start with what matters most. Think about the places and organizations that have shaped your life—and what your support has made possible. While no one can give to everything, she believes each person can make a lasting difference.
And for those who love the outdoors as she does, a planned gift to Inland Northwest Land Conservancy can help ensure that the landscapes we cherish today will still be here for generations to come.
If you’d like to talk about how your estate gift can help the forever work of land and water conservation, please contact Carol Corbin, Director of Philanthropy at ccorbin@inlandnwland.org or call (509) 328-2939, ext. 4.
