What We Do
Our Mission
To fight men’s mental health and encourage growth through wilderness experiences. Through trials and tribulations we mold men into the men they strive to be. Everyone needs time off in the woods.
Backcountry Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to reconnect veterans, first responders, and men from all walks of life through transformative outdoor experiences. We believe that time spent in the wilderness offers more than just recreation—it provides a space for camaraderie, healing, and personal growth. We are here to help fight men’s mental health and encourage growth through wilderness experiences.
Backcountry Alliance is dedicated to reconnecting veterans, first responders, and men from all walks of life through the transformative power of the wilderness. Founded by Marine Corps veterans Ben Nestrud and Mike Bowman, along with Reid Miller, an outdoor industry expert, the organization believes time in nature fosters camaraderie, healing, and purpose.
Many veterans and first responders face isolation after their service, losing the bonds formed through shared challenges and experiences. Backcountry Alliance creates small-group retreats, including hunting, fishing, and camping trips, that help participants rebuild connections, rediscover strengths, and form lasting bonds. Guided by decades of outdoor experience, these trips offer a space to reflect, grow, and reconnect with those who understand the journey.
This mission is made possible through an alliance of generous donors, partners, and volunteers, all coming together to provide the resources needed for these transformative experiences. Together, we are creating a stronger community through the backcountry.
With years of experience guiding backcountry trips and a team of knowledgeable staff like Mike Bowman, and Reid Miller, we offer a range of retreats from hunting and fishing expeditions to multi-day wilderness adventures. Whether it’s pursuing antelope on the plains, chasing walleye in Canada, or simply sharing stories around a campfire, Back Country Alliance’s trips are designed to help participants find strength, connection, and healing in the great outdoors.
Support from across the outdoor industry has been essential in making these experiences possible. From gear and outfitting partners to lodging, logistics, and funding, bringing together resources from all corners of the industry has been crucial to our success. This collective support allows us to provide a variety of high-quality trips and ensure that more veterans and first responders have the opportunity to experience the therapeutic power of the wild.
Our goal is to create opportunities for men to reconnect, share experiences, and support each other while embracing the challenge and therapeutic power of the wild. Together, we’re building a community that thrives on the strength found in nature.
Whether you’re a veteran, a first responder looking to reconnect, or someone who believes in the power of nature to heal, we welcome you to join us. Together, we can support one another, overcome adversity, and build new strengths in the places where we feel most alive.
