Rynda Clark (Bend, OR)

Rynda fell in love with wild places at a young age in New Mexico, fishing small streams for native trout and camping under shimmering aspens in the light of a full moon.

She earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration which led to her career at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. There, in her role as Director of Continuing Medical Education, she guided physicians in planning and implementing medical education programs for their peers. Core to these programs were needs assessments, the development of teaching strategies, and evaluation of outcomes.

Rynda retired at age 53 with her husband. They chose to live in Bend, OR where the blue skies, forests, mountains, and high desert speak to her every day. Hiking is her passion. Rynda was introduced to the Great Old Broads for Wilderness in 2013. Her love of wilderness and growing awareness of the need to protect our wild lands and wildlife, while addressing environmental issues, became the central focus of her life. She and other advocates founded a chapter of the Bitterbrush Broads in Central Oregon. The focus for the group is advocacy, education, stewardship, and fun. Their boots are frequently on the ground monitoring and restoring lands that have been over-developed, over-grazed, and over-used for recreational purposes. The chapter advocates for healthy forests, rivers, streams, and riparian areas, wildlands and wildlife protection, and responsible management of public lands.

Rynda was invited to join the national Board of the Great Old Broads in 2016. She co-chaired the Board for 5 years during a period of rapid organizational growth. In this role she applied her skills in organizational leadership & management, strategic governance, financial management, and grassroots advocacy/activism.

When not working, Rynda spends her time with her children and grandchildren in wild places. Her grandsons, ages 10 and 6, understand healthy ecosystems and carbon sequestration. She learns a lot from them. They give her hope that future generations can have clean air and water, and enjoy healthy wild and wonderful places.