Sarah Lamagna is an ecologist-turned-freelance writer who always knew her career would involve the outdoors. She fell in love with the wilderness as a young child thanks to her outdoorsy mother. That led to higher degrees in forestry and soil science and eventually a career with state parks and wildlife services as well as the federal government.
It wasn’t until her son was born that she realized how unfulfilled she was in her current career trajectory. So she left a steady job to pursue her passion of writing. Thankfully, Lamagna’s background in ecology has given her a unique voice when writing adventure travel stories and writing up gear reviews. She always has an eco-conscious angle and strives to support a sustainable way to travel and get outdoors.
Her love for travel started just before her senior year at college when she took a course in Ireland. Lamagna’s professor was an Irish native and gave an authentic experience as he guided her through his home country. It’s why she strives to immerse herself in the culture of an area and meet up with locals wherever she travels.
Lamagna has trekked the 100 miles of Scotland’s West Highland Way and the Tour du Mont Blanc. She’s traveled to the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland, the historical structures of France and Italy, and the teal waters of Switzerland. She’s dipped her toes in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans. She’s even stood in the place where Baltic and North Seas merge. But the place she loves most is her home region of New England. The quaint towns, the welcoming locals, and magical mountain views will always have her coming back.
Lamagna focuses her writing on adventure, slow, and sustainable travel. She prefers to write stories while wearing an eco-friendly “hat” to give readers a sense of how to travel with little harm to the environment.
Background
- Topics of expertise: Eco-tourism, sustainable travel, slow travel, nature retreats, parenting in the outdoors, environmental topics, hiking, backpacking, camping, and backcountry swimming holes
- Years of experience in these topics: Anywhere from 5-30 years of experience depending on the topic
- Favorite topic to write about: Honestly, everything. I like the diversity of topics to keep me on my toes. I do enjoy writing about environmental stuff (like the pieces I did for 5280). And I’ll always love writing stories about New England because I think it’s the best place on earth.
- Favorite piece of gear you’ve ever tested: MSR’s Lightning Ascent snowshoes – absolute beasts that are perfect for winter hiking in the NH mountains
- Favorite travel destinations: Scotland (Isle of Skye), Nova Scotia, White Mountains in NH, coastal Maine, Iceland, and quaint New England towns.
- Past applicable professions: Wildlife Technician, Plant/Soil Technician, Ecologist
Education and Experience
- Education: A.A.Sc in Forest Technology, B.Sc. in Forestry, and M.Sc. in Soil Science
- Books or other publications: Hiking with Kids New England and Swimming Holes of New England (out May 2024)
- Other places you write for: Matador Network, Seacoast Moms, The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, REI, and expert on NPR’s The Takeaway as well as Maine Public Radio
About the Writer
- Location (city/state): Barrington, NH
- Places You’ve Lived or Extensively Traveled: Upstate NY/Adirondacks, all of New England, Colorado, Vancouver, BC or Cape Breton Island, NS. I also did the long distance treks: West Highland Way in Scotland and the Tour du Mont Blanc in France, Italy, and Switzerland.
- Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Follow Sarah on Instagram or visit her website
