TRAILBLAZERS: Hunter Klingensmith builds connection through curiosity and nature education

TRAILBLAZER Hunter Klingensmith is helping Park City fall in love with nature—one hands-on exhibit and curious spider at a time. Photo: Hunter Klingensmith

PARK CITY, Utah — In a town rich with natural beauty and community-driven organizations, Hunter Klingensmith stands at the intersection of both. As Director of Visitor Experience and Exhibits at Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, Klingensmith has spent the last decade fostering curiosity, environmental awareness and inclusive access to nature in the heart of Kimball Junction.

Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Klingensmith’s early exposure to the outdoors wasn’t love at first sight. “We spent a lot of time outside, but I don’t know that I really loved it like I do now,” she said. That changed when she briefly studied architecture at the University of Cincinnati. “I really missed going on hikes all the time,” she recalled. “I missed skiing. I missed that outdoor community.”

After moving to Utah and establishing residency, she enrolled at the University of Utah in the Environmental Studies program, paired with a business degree. An internship at Swaner led to a permanent role and a lasting commitment. “When my internship ended, there was a position open to do more public interpretation, be at the front desk, talk to people about what we have on the preserve, lead guided nature walks,” she said. “And I loved it.”

Interpretation, as Klingensmith defines it, means translating the natural world for visitors in accessible and engaging ways. “It’s helping people feel a better connection to nature, to better understand it, to care more about it,” she said. Whether through guided walks, hands-on exhibits or playful interactions, she sees her work as opening doors for deeper appreciation.

Now overseeing a broader range of programs and exhibit design, Klingensmith remains drawn to the creative spark behind education. One of her current projects is a forthcoming “Wetland Supermarket” exhibit, which will invite children to learn about the rich biodiversity of wetlands by role-playing as animals “shopping” for their survival needs. “It’s going to look like a kid’s supermarket, but all of the things in it will be wetland resources,” she said. “They’ll get a shopping list and learn what their animal needs to thrive.”

For Klingensmith, it’s these everyday encounters that fuel her sense of purpose. Recently, a child fearful of bugs visited the EcoCenter. Through gentle exposure, a butterfly costume and a serendipitous jumping spider, something shifted. “The spider actually jumped onto his hand,” she said. “He left saying, ‘Okay, I kind of like spiders now.’”

It’s a small story, but one that encapsulates her belief: “It’s really hard to care about things if you don’t know them or have a connection with them.”

That desire to foster connection extends beyond the preserve itself. Klingensmith hopes visitors—especially locals—leave Swaner feeling more curious, more informed, and more empowered. “Our wetlands are a really unique, large plot of land to have in such a now-populated area,” she said. “I hope people leave knowing why wetlands are important, and mostly just feeling like they want to learn more.”

Living in Park City has also shaped her worldview in unexpected ways. “I have to plug the buses,” she said, laughing. “I grew up living 45 minutes from the nearest grocery store. Now I can bike to work and use free public transit. It’s definitely changed my perspective on where I want to live and how I want to be connected to people and places.”

Asked what advice she would offer someone new to town, Klingensmith emphasizes that connecting with nature doesn’t have to be extreme. “Immersing yourself in nature does not have to be remote,” she said. “You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to go into the backcountry. Nature is all around us here—and you can take public transit to 20 trailheads.”

Her vision for Park City’s future centers on maintaining those connections—not just with the land, but with one another. “My hope is that we continue to think about development in a sustainable way and that we prioritize inclusive access to nature,” she said. “Everyone should feel safe spending time in nature. That’s a resource that should be available to all.”