The morning air is cool, but you just know that it’s going to be hot and muggy in the next few hours. Birdsong and the sounds of other little critters are echoing through Montreat Valley. You hear the echoes of music being sung in the auditorium. While most visitors are still eating breakfast or making their way to programs, the Montreat Wilderness Rangers are already sharpening their tools and planning their day out in the woods.
Spend the day with the Rangers, and it quickly becomes clear that their work is more than hiking and maintaining trails. Every task they complete is an act of stewardship — a commitment to caring for God’s creation so that generations to come can experience the same beauty, peace, and wonder found here today.
The day begins with a ride in the UTV up to Greybeard Trail. We get out and start walking. Hiking boots crunch the debris under them as we navigate the woods around us. The Rangers pause often, not because they are taking in the scenery, but because they are observing it. A fallen branch across the trail, a swampy mess caused by last night’s rain, or a tree showing signs of disease doesn’t go unnoticed. Their eyes have been trained to see what many hikers would simply pass by.
As the sun climbs higher, the work becomes more hands on. Pulaski tools shape and clean drainage ditches that keep heavy rains from eroding trails. Machetes clear away plants and weeds growing across the path. Fallen trees are carefully removed using chainsaws, and trail markers are checked to ensure visitors can safely find their way. Every swing of the tool, toss of branch, and every step through the woods serves a purpose: protecting both the land and the people who enjoy it.
The Rangers know these mountains like the back of their hands. They are some of the most knowledgeable people that you would ever meet. They understand how water flows after a storm, what plants are invasive vs. what plants aren’t, and which trails might need some extra work after a busy weekend. Their knowledge isn’t gained from a map alone but from countless hours spent hiking trails, observing nature, and caring for every corner of the Montreat Wilderness.
It’s impossible to spend time with the Rangers without noticing the rhythm of their work. There is no rush, yet there is always a purpose. They stop to admire Black Birch trees and point out a field mouse hiding in leaves off the trail. Caring for creation requires paying attention, and the Rangers have mastered the art of noticing the often-missed details.
Montreat’s Wilderness Rangers reflect one of the conference center’s core values: stewarding God’s creation. Scripture reminds us that the earth belongs to God, and humanity has been entrusted with its care. Stewardship means recognizing that these forests, streams, wildlife, and mountains are not possessions, but gifts. The Rangers embrace that responsibility every day by preserving the natural beauty that makes Montreat a place of rest, reflection, and renewal.
For guests, the result is easy to appreciate, even if it often goes unseen. Every peaceful hike, every family photo overlooking the mountains, and every quiet moment spent beside the rushing creek is made possible because someone cared for this place long before we ever arrived.
As the afternoon fades into the evening, the Rangers finish another day’s work clearing trails and spending time in the great outdoors. The trails are safer, the forest is healthier, and the mountains remain ready to welcome the next group of visitors seeking rest in God’s creation. Their work may not always be the most visible, but its impact can be found everywhere you look.
The next time you lace up your hiking boots or pause to admire the breathtaking view from a Montreat trail, take a moment to think about the hands that helped preserve it. Behind every well-kept path is a Ranger whose work is long, tough, and never-ending, yet reflects faithful stewardship, ensuring that God’s creation continues to inspire all who come to Montreat.
Olivia Abela is on summer staff as a marketing assistant at Montreat Conference Center. She is from Greenville, SC and attends Lander University as a rising senior. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as doing anything creative.