Partners in the Outdoors 2020

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Rachel VandeVoort

Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation

Born and raised in the mountains and streams of Montana, Rachel VandeVoort earned a BS in Resource Conservation and Watershed Management from the University of Montana. She immediately put it to use as an over educated fly angler. Since then, Rachel has built a diverse career that spans: organic agriculture, management in the skiing, fly fishing, whitewater and firearms industries. Most recently, she was appointed by Governor Steve Bullock to create and direct the Montana Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Rachel resides in Whitefish, Montana with her two sons in the center of the recreation world. She feels confident every time she steps off a plane, after traveling to hunt and fish the world, that her life really lives up to what the sticker says on her Yeti cooler - "my life is better than a vacation."

Rachel will discuss how her childhood connection to the land has led to a career that spans the hunting, angling and outdoor recreation industries. She will share how her unique perspective can help bridge the multiple, and sometimes conflicting uses of our public lands.

28 April

12:25 PM

Keynote Speaker: Rachel VandeVoort

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Gabe Vasquez

Founder

Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project

Gabe is the founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and serves as a city councilor in Las Cruces, New Mexico, home to the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument. Gabe grew up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and developed a childhood passion for the outdoors fishing in the Rio Bravo with his father Alfonso.

Gabe has more than a decade of experience working on local, state, and federal public policy and advocacy, including working for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich. He is an avid hunter, angler, and hiker. Last year, Gabe drafted New Mexico's Outdoor Equity Fund legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, that was enacted into law in 2019. This public-private fund is part of New Mexico's Office of Outdoor Recreation and provides micro-grants to nonprofit organizations and incorporated governments to connect low-income youth to the outdoors in urban, rural and Native American communities throughout New Mexico.

Gabe will share his story about a life spent outdoors and how it has led him to his current career where he works to tell the stories of Latinx & Hispanic communities to help inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. His success stories will inspire us to continue our efforts to connect all Coloradans to the outdoors.

29 April

12:10 PM

Keynote Speaker: Gabe Vasquez

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Aaron Mike

Native Lands Regional Coordinator

Access Fund

Aaron Mike is a Diné (Navajo) rock climbing guide, Athlete with Natives Outdoors, and Native Lands Regional Coordinator with the Access Fund. Mike's work includes promoting and strengthening Tribal interests in outdoor recreation and outdoor recreation management.

28 April

02:45 PM

Conflict to Collaboration: Lessons from Climbers & Tribes from the Bears Ears National Monument

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Abi Saeed

Agriculture, Horticulture, and Natural Resources Extension Agent & Garfield County Master Gardener Coordinator

Colorado State University Extension - Garfield County

Abi is an Extension Agent at Colorado State University, with a background in Entomology. Her primary areas of responsibility are Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources, and the Master Gardener program. Abi was born in Pakistan, and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was 11. She then attended graduate school in Entomology at University of Kentucky, graduating in 2014. Abi has since worked as an Educator in Kentucky, Michigan, and Colorado. Abi speaks 4.5 languages (Urdu, English, Hindi, Punjabi, and French) and loves spending time hiking with her partner, and cuddling indoors with their two cats.

29 April

08:45 AM

A hunter, a liberal, a conservative, and a part-time vegetarian walk into a bar...together!

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Adam Gall

Owner/Operator

Timber to Table Guide Service

Owner/Operator Timber to Table Guide Service and BHA Chapter Leader, Adam was born and raised in a small farm town in southwest Michigan, and moved to northcentral Idaho at age 20. He never wanted to leave the mountains after that, and hasn’t. Adam has worked as a firefighter/forestry tech for the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho, a wolf biologist for the Nez Perce Tribe, also in Idaho, and a science teacher at Hotchkiss High School in Colorado. In his early teens Adam started hunting whitetails, cottontails and pheasant. Today he lives in Paonia, Colorado, and hunts mule deer and elk, usually with a bow. Adam is also “married to the most wonderful woman on the planet who supports my hunting interests,” he says. Adam and Anastacia feel blessed to call the Gunnison country home and love sharing it with their daughter, Penelope. Adam currently works as a fishing guide on the Gunnison River and, along with Anastacia, runs Timber to Table Guide Service (timbertotableguideservice.com), an elk and mule deer hunting/outfitting business with a focus on the food and educational aspects of big game hunting. Additionally, Adam is a Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Life Member and Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer for the Gunnison National Forest. Colorado BHA Chairman David Lien said, “Adam’s boots-on-the-ground knowledge of the public lands and waters he fishes, hunts and guides is matched only by his passion for protecting these public lands for future generations of hunters, anglers and other outdoorsmen and women. Wildlands and wildlife need many more like him.”

28 April

01:15 PM

Hunting for Sustainability: Recruiting A New Generation of Conservation Minded Hunters

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Aimee Crittendon

Fish and Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Aimee is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where her work focuses on threatened and endangered species recovery. Her current focus includes two of Colorado's most imperiled plant species, the Parachute penstemon and Pagosa skyrocket.

29 April

08:45 AM

Protecting the Underdog: Why and How to Address Rare Plants in Land Use Planning

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Amanda Clements

Board Member

Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership

Amanda Clements is an ecologist by vocation and avocation, who has loved the outdoors since her youth. She has a background in Biology (College of William & Mary) and Range Ecology (Colorado State University). She serves as a board member with Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. Most recently she has been developing a small business, Applied Ecological Services, that aims to reconnect people with Nature via customized books that interpret the natural world on pieces of land, ranging from private holdings to parks and public lands. Before that, she was an ecologist with the Bureau of Land Management in Montrose for twenty-some years, dealing with monitoring livestock use and impacts to restoring cottonwood groves along the Gunnison River, to speaking up for connectivity and biodiversity in area-wide management plans. Prior to that, she spent three years in East Africa working in wildlife reserves, and with subsistence farmers raising tilapia.

28 April

10:15 AM

Where Wildlife Roam: The Need for Habitat Connectivity

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Andy Mueller

General Manager

Colorado River Water Conservation District

Andy Mueller is the General Manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District. Andy earned his law degree from University of Colorado in 1995 after earning his BA in history from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Prior to taking the helm at the River District he spent 23 years in private practice on the West Slope of Colorado. His legal work took him across the breadth of western Colorado water, natural resource, land use and community issues. For nine years from 2006-15, he was Ouray County’s Director on the Colorado River District Board. His combined experience prepared him to lead the River District, whose work is to lead in the protection, conservation, use and development of the waters of the Colorado River for the residents of the West Slope and to safeguard for Colorado all waters of the Colorado River to which the state is entitled. When he is not delving deep into Colorado River issues or spending time outdoors with his family, he is an actively engaging with his community by serving on the local Habitat for Humanity Board and the local Parks and Recreation Commission.

28 April

02:45 PM

New Funding to Implement Colorado's Water Plan: Putting Together Winning Proposals for Multi-Benefit, Water-Related Projects

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Andy Neinas

Chair/Media and Marketing Representative

Colorado Wildlife Council

Andy lives in the Royal Gorge region on the banks of the Arkansas River; making it no surprise river sports are his passion. He holds state and federal permits for fishing and guided river trips in the state of Colorado and likes to fit in ski trips during the winter months.

He owns Echo Canyon River Expeditions and the Royal Gorge Cabins. Andy also volunteers with CPW and the tourism industry and has been involved with commercial rafting and the protection of rivers for over 25 years – giving him an appreciation for the inherent value of rivers and the outdoors in Colorado.

28 April

02:45 PM

Educating an Important Audience

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Angela Goodman

Source Water Superintendent

Aurora Water for the Homestake Project

Angela is the Source Water Superintendent for Aurora Water and President of the Homestake Steering Committee. She manages the source water group which is responsible for storage of raw water and operation of the facilities that deliver the raw water to the City’s three water treatment plants. Aurora’s source water facilities include: 5 dams and reservoirs, 3 large diameter pipelines, pump stations, wells, gauging/augmentation stations, and shared facilities with Colorado Springs Utilities and Denver Water. She has a BS in Geo-Environmental Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and a MS in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado. Angela is a registered professional engineer in the State of Colorado.

28 April

02:45 PM

Rivers are for Sharing, Success in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Recreation Improvements Achieved Through Partnerships

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Angel Peña

President

Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project

Ángel Peña was born and raised in the Río Bravo valley, he is a first generation American and father of three. Ángel’s education in anthropology and archaeology allows him to emphasize and advocate for our nation’s historic, prehistoric and cultural assets, bringing cultural resources to the forefront of conservation. As a Cultural Resources Specialist for New Mexico Wild (2012), Wyss Fellow (2014), & as the Río Bravo Director at the Conservation Lands Foundation (2016) Àngel has had the opportunity to support and lead amazing teams that ultimately secured protections totaling millions of acres across the American Southwest. Currently a Co-Chair of the Next 100 Coalition (2018), he actively works to identify new ways in which we can increase the diversity and inclusion of the histories, cultures, knowledge and people represented in our public lands and wide open spaces. “As the President of the Neustria Tierra Conservation Project it’s about empowering the people that have true, authentic and deep-rooted ties to the land. It’s about supporting and empowering those agents of change. That’s how we win.”

28 April

10:15 AM

Outdoor Equity Podcast Session with Nuestra Tierra

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Ann Baker Easley

Chief Executive Director

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Ann Baker Easley is a Colorado native who grew up in Boulder. There, she first discovered the joys of the outdoors through family camping trips, backpacking and hiking. Today she helps thousands who share her love for the outdoors get involved in outdoor stewardship volunteer efforts across Colorado through Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC).

Over the past 26 years, Baker Easley has led numerous environmental, volunteer, and youth-development oriented nonprofit organizations, with a focus on strengthening their programs and helping them grow to new levels. During that time, she founded or helped start 7 different youth and civilian service corps programs, both in Colorado and nationally. Prior to VOC, she founded the Colorado Youth Corps Association where she served as its Executive Director for 11 years. Baker Easley joined VOC as Executive Director in March 2007. At VOC, she is focused on recruiting a new generation of outdoor volunteers and leaders, and expanding VOC’s programs to pioneer a new era of outdoor stewardship. Under her leadership, VOC recently received the “Making a Difference Award” for exceptional contributions to conservation and management of public lands, the highest national award from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). She was recently promoted to be VOC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Baker Easley presently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, is a member of the Colorado Non-Profit Association’s Leadership Advisory Committee, and was recognized by the Denver Business Journal as one of Denver’s 2017 Thought Leaders. She graduated from Colorado State University with a dual major in Psychology and Social Work and earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan.

28 April

01:15 PM

Balance: Why it matters in Colorado's recreation and conservation relationship

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

29 April

10:15 AM

An idea worth sharing, a mission worth joining

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Ben Lara

Salida Ranger District Recreation Staff

United States Forest Service

Ben has been working as the Salida Ranger District Recreation Staff for the past 10 years. Originally from the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, Ben started his Forest Service career on the Inyo National Forest and Pacific Southwest Regional office in California. He has spent the better part of his career working on facilitating access to National Forests. Ben has a strong passion for connecting people to their public lands and building a strong stewardship ethic within the communities he serves. During his time with the Forest Service, Ben has worked with some amazing communities and natural landscapes in California, Wyoming, Honduras, Brazil and the Philippines. Ben’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Parks and Protected Area Management from San Francisco State University.

28 April

10:15 AM

Envision Recreation in Balance - Community-driven solutions to manage recreation growth in balance with healthy forests, waters and wildlife

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Ben Lawhon

Education Director

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

Ben Lawhon joined the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics staff in 2001 where he serves as the Education Director. His current responsibilities include research, curriculum development, management of national education and training programs, agency relations, and oversight of national outreach efforts. He has a B.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Tennessee and an M.S. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University.

28 April

01:15 PM

Balance: Why it matters in Colorado's recreation and conservation relationship

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Brian McCormick

Senior Project Engineer

Colorado Springs Utilities

Brian McCormick is a Senior Project Engineer for Colorado Springs Utilities. He supports dam, reservoir, and raw water intake projects. Brian holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado, and a Certified Floodplain Manager.

28 April

02:45 PM

Rivers are for Sharing, Success in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Recreation Improvements Achieved Through Partnerships

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Brien Webster

Program Manager

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

BHA Program Manager, Brien was born and raised in Colorado. For as long as he can remember his family has come together for reunions timed around hatches, hunts, and favorite landscapes. After receiving a BA in Government from the University of Redlands, Brien headed to Zambia where he spent two years with the Peace Corps. Upon returning home Brien found his way to the West Slope of Colorado where he worked on public lands and water conservation issues with Conservation Colorado as a community organizer. The opportunities and experiences made possible by our public lands and waters have shaped Brien’s identity and deepened his passion and curiosity as a sportsmen. When he’s not in the office, chances are he’s in the field or on the river sharing his favorite pastime of pursuing wild game in new and familiar landscapes with his wife Holly, family, and friends. Brien is thrilled to be working with BHA, and as a chapter coordinator he’s committed to supporting and amplifying the efforts of the Wyoming and Colorado Chapters.

28 April

01:15 PM

Hunting for Sustainability: Recruiting A New Generation of Conservation Minded Hunters

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Cate Townley

Senior Built Environment Specialist

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

Cate Townley, is a Senior Built Environment Specialist for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Her primary role at CDPHE is to work with community organizations, local public health agencies, and local governments on policy and environmental change efforts to promote access to safe spaces for physical activity, increase access to shade, and prevent chronic disease for all Coloradans. Cate is an appointed member of Colorado’s Inter-Agency Trails Council, a member of the Colorado Public Health Parks and Recreation Collaborative, a member of the Urban Land Institute Building Healthy Places Committee and a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for Englewood, Colorado.

29 April

10:15 AM

What the Rx is going on in Colorado?!?

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Chad Schneckenburger

Trails and Dispersed Recreation Lead

USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region

Mr. Schneckenburger previously served as the National Conservation Lands Program Lead for BLM Colorado; was an Assistant Field Manager and Outdoor Recreation Planner in the BLM White River Field Office; and worked in private sector consulting as a Recreation Planner with EDAW/AECOM in Fort Collins, developing park, recreation, open space, and trail system plans for communities across the western U.S. Chad has expertise in natural resource recreation planning and policy, trail planning and design, partnership development, wilderness management, community engagement, and sustainable tourism. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP). He lives in Wheat Ridge with his wife Megan and dog Murray, and enjoys spending as much time playing in the mountains as possible, as well as travelling internationally.

29 April

08:45 AM

Implementing a Shared Stewardship Strategy for Trails

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Chara Ragland

Owner

Querencia Environmental

Chara Ragland, Ph.D. owns Querencia Environmental, a firm specializing in stakeholder and public engagement in environmental discourse and decision-making processes. Her professional training spans the fields of zoology, genetics, biochemistry and the social sciences. Her experience includes college teaching, research, and applied projects with government agencies and non-profits on topics including recreational use of natural areas, energy policy, and watershed and endangered species management. Her work in Southwest Colorado includes work to promote communication and collaborative action to foster public confidence, support community resilience, and enhance planning for: sustainable watersheds, increased outdoor recreation among diverse populations, and hard rock mine cleanup.

28 April

10:15 AM

Where Wildlife Roam: The Need for Habitat Connectivity

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Cheryl Cwelich

Field Steward

Crested Butte Land Trust

A native of Colorado, Cheryl grew up with a love of the outdoors hiking with her father, fishing in Gunnison with her grandfather and skiing with her friends and family. As a CPW Park Ranger and Monarch Ski Patroller, Cheryl found herself becoming fascinated by water management and ecological resilience. These interests lead Cheryl back to Gunnison and Western Colorado University where she studied for a degree in Environment & Sustainability with an emphasis in Water Policy and Resilience and a minor in Recreation & Outdoor Education. Her work for the Crested Butte Land Trust has included conducting a River Use Study and Outreach program on the Slate River, and protecting conserved lands as a Field Steward. Cheryl has thrived in the Gunnison and Crested Butte area, giving her a place of unique beauty to explore, a community of like minded individuals and a path to collaborate with others on environmental and recreational challenges.

27 April

04:45 PM

Stand Up Paddleboards or Great Blue Herons? A look at the Slate River Working Group and its multi-lateral approach to river recreation management

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Chris Pipkin

Outdoor Recreation Planner

Bureau of Land Management

Chris Pipkin has been planning, building and maintaining trails since 1989 when he first volunteered for a VOC trail construction project while studying at Colorado State University. After that first project, he was hooked, and has pursued his passion for trails throughout his career managing public lands for the Bureau of Land Management in Grand Junction. After graduating from CSU with a degree in wildlife biology in 1992, he got his start at the BLM by volunteering for the recreation program. Along with other duties, he led volunteer trail construction crews, and helped design new trails in the Kokopelli Loops area. Since then, he’s had a hand in most of the new trails, both motorized and non-motorized, in the BLM’s Grand Junction Field Office. Working on trails with volunteers and community partners has been an integral part of Chris’ jobs as a Park Ranger and Outdoor Recreation Planner for the BLM.

Chris sees trails as a tool to connect people to their public lands, and to foster stewardship of Colorado’s diverse natural and cultural resources, along with other uses of public lands. He helps implement the BLM’s national recreation strategy, Connecting with Communities, by engaging community partners in trail planning, design, construction and maintenance. That entails on-the-ground trail design and layout with volunteers and staff, writing planning documents, organizing construction and maintenance projects, and leading trail crews. He also teaches trail design and crew leadership courses.

Chris lives in Grand Junction, where he and his wife have raised three children. When he’s not working on trails, he enjoys mountain biking and hiking on the many amazing trails in western Colorado and eastern Utah. He also enjoys backpacking, fly fishing, road biking, and backcountry telemark skiing.

28 April

10:15 AM

Best Practices for Partnering With Land Managers To Develop New Recreation Opportunities

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Cindy Williams

Board Chair

Central Colorado Conservancy

Cindy is the Board Chair of the Central Colorado Conservancy, a certified regional land trust, Co-Lead of Envision Chaffee County and Chair of the Chaffee County Common Ground Fund. She is a Colorado native, tapping her experience to help Central Colorado maintain its identity, rural landscapes and natural resources as the state grows.

Williams is an accomplished executive with 30 years of domestic and international experience including executive roles leading global exploration, innovation and technical services for Newmont Mining Company. She holds a BS and MSc in Economic Geology from Colorado State University and a Certificate in Executive Leadership from the Daniels College of Business. In her spare time, Cindy is working to catch fish in 200 Colorado high lakes by 2020.

28 April

10:15 AM

Envision Recreation in Balance - Community-driven solutions to manage recreation growth in balance with healthy forests, waters and wildlife

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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CJ Goulding

Manager, Community Leadership Development

Children & Nature Network

In his work with the Children & Nature Network, CJ Goulding trains, mentors and supports a national network of young leaders who are creating equitable access to nature in their communities. His work stems from his previous experience as an outdoor trip leader, community conservation crew leader, youth programs manager for the National Park Service, his Masters studies in Urban Environmental Education, and his overall passion for people, community, and leadership. He was featured in the Outdoor Industry's inaugural "30 Under 30" list (2016) highlighting game changers in the outdoor industry, and his essay "Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors" has been published in books and featured in culturally relevant outdoor curriculum all across the country.

28 April

02:45 PM

No More Volunteering as Tribute

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Clint Whitley

Outdoor Education Coordinator

Garfield County Outdoors

Clint is the Outdoor Education Coordinator for Garfield County School District 16 in Parachute, CO. Originally from South Dakota, he moved to Garfield County with his family in 2012 to pursue many of his outdoor passions. He was a science teacher at Grand Valley High School before being offered his current position in 2018 through the GOCO Inspire initiative grant. His current position is a perfect blend between his professional career and personal life, making work very enjoyable. He lives in Silt with his wife Kristin and 2 year old son Ty, who bring lots of joy to his life.

29 April

08:45 AM

A hunter, a liberal, a conservative, and a part-time vegetarian walk into a bar...together!

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Courtney Geib

Portfolio Manager

Corporation for National and Community Service, Mountain Region

Courtney Geib joined CNCS in September 2019 after more than a decade working in the nonprofit sector, most recently focusing on evaluation and operations with the “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Boulder County.Her passion for national service rose from a two-year stint serving as an AmeriCorps State & National member in the San Francisco Bay area. From there, she transitioned to managing a large AmeriCorps State & National grant and coordinating operating sites across the country before returning home to Colorado.

29 April

08:45 AM

Increase Your Organization's Impact through AmeriCorps

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Dana Coelho

Executive Director

Metro Denver Nature Alliance

Dana Coelho is the Executive Director of Metro DNA and a community-proclaimed dangerous collaborator! Motivated by the belief that a coordinated alliance can achieve more than the sum of its parts, Metro DNA is a growing coalition of non-profit, government, research, and private sector partners seeking to align nature-based efforts to ensure more equitable access to nature and to promote healthy people, communities, and natural places. Dana joined Metro DNA following an 11-year career with the US Forest Service, most recently serving as Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager for the Rocky Mountain Region where she worked alongside five state coordinators from CO, WY, SD, NE, and KS to build vibrant local community forestry programs. She is a full-time mom of two crazy dogs, part-time co-parent to three amazing kiddos, serial volunteer, and lover of the outdoors.

29 April

10:15 AM

What the Rx is going on in Colorado?!?

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Dan Gibbs

Executive Director

Colorado Department of Natural Resources

As Executive Director, Dan Gibbs leads the development and execution of the Department’s initiatives for the balanced management of the state’s natural resources. Dan works on an array of issues pertaining to all of Colorado’s natural resources, including water, wildlife, state lands, oil and gas and mining.

Dan is a respected collaborator and a strong proponent of building partnerships across agencies, nonprofits and private-sector organizations to improve the productivity and success of government operations and services.

Prior to joining the Department of Natural Resources, Dan served as a Summit County Commissioner from 2010-2018. As county commissioner, Dan successfully pushed for wildfire preparedness, affordable workforce housing, lower health insurance costs and protection and improvements to transportation infrastructure.

Prior to his tenure as a Commissioner, Dan served in the Colorado House of Representatives and in the Colorado State Senate where he served on the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. His legislative accomplishments include securing funding for wildfire mitigation and forest health, creating the Colorado Kids Outdoors grant program, supporting watershed health initiatives, and increasing environmental protections for wildlife from oil and gas development.

Dan is a certified wildland firefighter and is affiliated with the ROSS system, through which he is on call to fight wildfires throughout the United States. He chaired the statewide Wildland Fire and Prescribed Fire Matters Advisory Council, and represented county governments on the Forest Health Advisory Committee. Dan has served on a variety of civic boards including: Search and Rescue Advisory, Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, Tourism Office, Youth Corps Association, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District and the Keystone Science School.

Dan is a graduate of Western State Colorado University and completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. He is also a Marshall Memorial Fellow.
Dan enjoys all that living in the high country has to offer, including skiing, running, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. He is a resident of Breckenridge, Colorado, where he lives with his wife, Johanna; daughter, Grace; and son, Tate.

28 April

12:10 PM

Opening Address: DNR Director Dan Gibbs

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Danny Fisher

Training Officer

Serve Colorado: The Governor’s Commission on Community Service

Danny Fisher is the Training Officer with Serve Colorado - Governor’s Commission on Community Service. He began his career in public service with a graduate internship with the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Relations Service, providing community-based conflict resolution and dialogue facilitation throughout New York State. Following graduate school, Danny was awarded a Presidential Management Fellowship, during which he worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in national preparedness. He later worked with the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the Obama Administration, where he focused on climate change preparedness and community resilience.

A certified mediator, Danny graduated with an MS in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University and a BS in Psychology from Oklahoma State University.

29 April

08:45 AM

Increase Your Organization's Impact through AmeriCorps

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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28 April

06:55 PM

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Agency Address: Director Dan Prenzlow

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Dan Zimmerer

Statewide Partnership Coordinator

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Dan Zimmerer currently serves as the Statewide Partnership Coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). In his current role, he coordinates CPW's annual Partners in the Outdoors Conference and co-facilitates the Colorado Outdoor Partnership. Both are key platforms for organizations across the spectrum of the outdoor industry to gather, collaborate and discuss how to advance and balance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado.

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David Roberts

Vice-Chair

West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Steering Committee

David Roberts is retired from the National Park Service after a 35-year career as a Park Ranger and Management Assistant. He is graduate of U.C.L.A. with a dual major of Economics and Geography. His park assignments included several national monuments (Muir Woods, Montezuma Castle, Fort Union, and Tonto), Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. He has served as a board member of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway since 1990, served as the National Park Service representative on the State of Colorado Byway Commission, and is currently on the board of the Montrose County Library District Foundation. He and his wife, Blanche, reside in Montrose, Colorado.

29 April

10:15 AM

Redstone, Colorado: Adapting Partnerships and Opportunities for Resource Protection and Visitor Enhancement

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Dominique Naccarato

Executive Director

Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA)

A native of Salida, Colorado, Dominique Naccarato, MEM is a systems thinking professional who is passionate about community engagement and collaboration. She’s the Executive Director of the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA), a non-profit with a 24-year history which partners with public land agencies to inspire a conservation ethic by providing educational opportunities and experiences so that those who live, work and play in the Upper Arkansas Valley are motivated to take care of the natural resources and leave a legacy of responsible use of the natural environment.

28 April

10:15 AM

Envision Recreation in Balance - Community-driven solutions to manage recreation growth in balance with healthy forests, waters and wildlife

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Eden Vardy

Commissioner

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Passionate about leaving the world better for future generations, Eden Vardy is committed to supporting and implementing environmental solutions, namely around agriculture. Vardy has had the honor and privilege of living in Colorado for over 30 years, and enjoys the majority of his days outdoors. Eden Vardy has a BA in Sustainable Food Systems and an MS in Integrated Eco- Social Design. Dedicated to continuing our state's legacy around agriculture, Vardy is the founder and executive director of The Farm Collaborative, a Roaring Fork Valley nonprofit and farm that connects children and the community to nature and their food source, and solves global climate challenges through local food production. Vardy is also a regenerative agriculture adjunct faculty for Colorado Mountain College, the CEO of The 2 Forks Club (an organization that makes 0% interest loans to burgeoning community farmers and local food entrepreneurs), the VP of the board of Compass for Lifelong Learning (which oversees the Aspen and Carbondale Community Schools), an avid percussionist, and a very proud husband and father.

28 April

01:15 PM

Hunting for Sustainability: Recruiting A New Generation of Conservation Minded Hunters

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Ed Roberson

Mountain and Prairie Podcast

Ed Roberson serves as Conservation Director at Palmer Land Trust, an innovative land and water conservation organization that protects Southern Colorado’s working agricultural lands, recreational open space, and stunning scenic vistas. Prior to Palmer, he spent his career in the business world, having worked extensively in ranch brokerage, commercial real estate, and finance. Ed's formal education also centered around business—he holds both a BA in economics and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Wake Forest University. As a passion project, Ed hosts the Mountain & Prairie Podcast, a top-ranking podcast which features interviews with innovators of the American West and has been recognized by the Aspen Institute, High Country News, and other notable organizations. Away from the office, he is keenly focused on mountain sports, having run numerous 50- and 100-mile ultramarathons through the western backcountry and climbed Denali, Aconcagua, and many of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains. He calls Colorado Springs home, where he lives with his wife and two young daughters.

Recognized by the Aspen Institute, High Country News, and other notable organizations, the Mountain & Prairie Podcast features substantive, long-form interviews with innovators of the American West. Guests include ranchers, writers, athletes, artists, adventurers, conservationists, entrepreneurs—anyone who’s doing inspired work that contributes to the region’s evolving and complex cultural fabric. Through informal yet in-depth conversations, conservationist Ed Roberson introduces you to these fascinating characters, giving you a better understanding of their careers, influences, and outlooks, as well as a deeper appreciation for life in the American West.

28 April

08:45 AM

Conference Kick Off Session/Live Podcast: Lessons from Fisher’s Peak: A Case Study in Balancing Conservation and Recreation

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Emily Olsen

National Forest Foundation

Colorado Program Manager

As the Colorado Program Manager for the National Forest Foundation (NFF), Emily works to plan, fund and coordinate projects focused on forest health and outdoor experiences, and manages larger initiatives. Her work is possible because of community, nonprofit and corporate partnerships around Colorado. Emily has worked for the NFF since 2014, where she previously facilitated collaborative processes and multi-stakeholder groups in the Northern Rockies. She holds a M.S. from the University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation and a B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Studies.

29 April

08:45 AM

Find Your Fourteener: Reaching New Heights through Collaborative Stewardship

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Erik Glenn

Executive Director

Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

Erik is the Executive Director of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT). As Executive Director, Erik oversees the operations of the land trust and works closely with the Board of Directors and staff to ensure that there is consistent alignment with the mission and strategic plan.

Erik holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University, a Master of Resource Law Studies from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and an MBA from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. Erik also serves on the Steering Committee of the Colorado Outdoor Partnership (CO-OP) and the Board of Directors of Keep it Colorado and the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts. Erik is also a Trustee of the Western Stock Show Association.

27 April

04:45 PM

CODEX- a New Tool for Conservation and Planning in Colorado

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

28 April

02:45 PM

Let's advance conservation - new models to encourage more conservation

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

29 April

10:15 AM

CONFLICT! Let's get beyond conflict

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Gabe Vasquez

Founder

Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project

Gabe Vasquez was born in El Paso, TX, and raised in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, and is the founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project. Gabe grew up fishing the Rio Grande in Chihuahua and New Mexico with his father and learned early on about hunting and conservation traditions from his grandfather Javier. Gabe is a Las Cruces City Councilor and serves on the boards of the Outdoor Alliance and Friends of Organ Mountains Desert Peaks. He has previously served on the Federal Advisory Committee for the Implementation of the 2012 Forest Planning Rule for the U.S. Forest Service/USDA, has served on numerous local and national boards, and has nearly a decade of experience working on public policy. He has served as the southern New Mexico coordinator for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, a staff member for U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, as the director for the Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Advisory Board, and as a volunteer and ambassador for Latino Outdoors. Gabe’s passion is outdoor equity, fishing, hunting, and conservation.

28 April

10:15 AM

Outdoor Equity Podcast Session with Nuestra Tierra

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Irene Weber

Senior Plant Ecologist

Jefferson County Open Space

Irene Weber is the Senior Plant Ecologist for Jefferson County Open Space in Golden, CO. She has worked in the botanical field for 10 years and in 6 states. When not mapping rare plants or designing better mobile data collection protocols, Irene likes to knit and play with her dog Angus.

29 April

08:45 AM

Protecting the Underdog: Why and How to Address Rare Plants in Land Use Planning

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Jacqueline Meason

Account Director

R&R Partners

Jacqueline, a Colorado native, is the kind of manager that clients love, and employees love to work for. She has a contagious “can do” attitude that inspires her to overcome any challenges and operates from a “buck stops here” philosophy that is applied to every strategic move she makes.

As the lead for R&R Partners’ brand management in our Denver office, Jacqueline manages client relationships including the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Wildlife Council and Xanterra Travel Collection.

Of her many accomplishments and proud moments at R&R, Jacqueline led an emotionally-drive brand awareness campaign for National Court Appointed Special Advocates. This organization supports and promotes court- appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. The campaign was incredibly successful and garnered a top-ranking brand lift study through Facebook, showing stats well above all other non-profit studies. Through that work, Jacqueline committed to becoming a CASA volunteer herself and works with children in her community.

Other career highlights at R&R include the development of the ADDY award-winning Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority campaigns, “Protect the Moment” and “Vegas Howl o Weekend.” She also worked on Muhammad Ali’s 70^th birthday celebration in Las Vegas, which was featured as a two-hour special on ABC.

Prior to her nearly nine years with R&R, Jacqueline served as senior account executive at The Integer Group in Lakewood, Colorado, where she worked on the Proctor & Gamble and MillerCoors Brewing Company accounts.

When not busy chasing after her two little ones, Jacqueline enjoys learning the skills it takes to renovate her house, seeking out the hottest new restaurants Denver has to offer and taking in the beautiful Colorado scenery on the golf course.

28 April

02:45 PM

Educating an Important Audience

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Jason Robertson

Deputy Director for Recreation, Lands, and Minerals

USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region

Jason Robertson serves as Deputy Director for Recreation, Lands, and Minerals in the Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service. Robertson has also worked on policy and budget for the Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the non-profit American Whitewater. For fun, Robertson takes his kids around Colorado on skiing, biking, climbing and rafting adventures.

28 April

01:15 PM

WORKSHOP: Strategies for Balancing Dispersed Recreation and Conservation Objectives

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

29 April

08:45 AM

Implementing a Shared Stewardship Strategy for Trails

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Jennifer Peterson

Executive Director

Rocky Mountain Field Institute

Jennifer joined the Rocky Mountain Field Institute as Executive Director in 2014 where she leads a dedicated and passionate staff united around public land stewardship and sustainable outdoor recreation. As a young girl, Jennifer fell in love with the outdoors on numerous weekend backpacking and fishing excursions with her family along the Appalachian Trail. She carried that passion into her educational pursuits where she received both a B.S. and M.S. in Rangeland Ecology & Management from Texas A&M University and the University of Idaho, respectively, and a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Management with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Texas A&M University. Jennifer brings nearly 10 years of experience in environmental stewardship, watershed health, public engagement, and environmental education to RMFI. She also sits on the Leadership Team of the El Paso County Regional Resiliency Collaborative and was recognized by the Mayor of Colorado Springs with a Young Leader Award. Outside of the office, Jennifer enjoys any activity in the outdoors including hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, trail running, skiing, and mountain biking.

29 April

08:45 AM

Find Your Fourteener: Reaching New Heights through Collaborative Stewardship

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Jessica Godinez

Conservation Program Associate

Hispanic Access Foundation

As a second-generation Mexican-American, Jessica feels inclined to support immigrant communities in navigating the systems of a new country while striving for social equity. Jessica's family moved around Richmond, Virginia for a few years before landing in rural Montpelier, Virginia, where Jessica's love for nature continued to grow as did the gardens around this home. Prior to joining the HAF team, Jessica worked towards social equity by working with local non-profits serving the needs of immigrants, like interpretative services and family literacy programs. Most recently, Jessica worked with the U.S. Forest Service in Lakewood, Colorado through a rigorous internship program in which she served the community by engaging with partners to provide opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage with and steward public lands. She is passionate about re-connecting communities with their innate relationship with nature, which she uses to fuel her work with conservation efforts.

28 April

04:15 PM

Diversifying Community Engagement in Conservation Through Film Hispanic Access Foundation

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Jessica Smith

Botanist

Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Jessica Smith is a Botanist with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, currently on a contract with the Colorado Natural Areas Program, a program within Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Her work for the past seven years has been focused on Colorado’s rare plants, conducting rare plant population monitoring, surveys and assessments of natural areas across the state.

29 April

08:45 AM

Protecting the Underdog: Why and How to Address Rare Plants in Land Use Planning

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Jo Burns

Director and Co-Founder

Colorado Public Health/Parks & Recreation Collaborative and Jo Burns Consulting

Jo Burns is widely known for her work in bringing together professionals from parks, recreation and public health. She is the director and co-founder of the Colorado Public Health/Parks & Recreation Collaborative. Over the past several years the collaborative has focused on common interests and mutual impact areas, such as reducing obesity and chronic illness, increasing opportunities for physical activity, improving access to healthy food and beverage choices, and developing walk-able communities.Jo is a Parks & Recreation professional with over 20 years of experience in community, camp and association settings, and continues to be a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. With numerous public speaking engagements, and critically acclaimed workshops, Jo is a recognized expert in parks and public health arenas. Jo lives in Arvada and loves to hike, ski, bike and roast marshmallows in the backyard firepit.

29 April

10:15 AM

What the Rx is going on in Colorado?!?

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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John Hoffman

Chair

West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Steering Committee

John Hoffmann is a blacksmith that built and still works in the Roaring Forge in Carbondale since 1987. He was a Carbondale Trustee between 2008 and 2016 and has been on the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Steering Committee since 1999. John currently chairs the Byway as well as the Senior Matters organization. He is treasurer for the Crystal Valley Environmental Association. His wife Kim still tolerates him and they live together in the house they built between 1974-81.

29 April

10:15 AM

Redstone, Colorado: Adapting Partnerships and Opportunities for Resource Protection and Visitor Enhancement

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Jon Holst

Southwest Region Energy Liaison

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Mr. Holst has been working with CDOT and CPW (in one capacity or another) to mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions and loss of habitat connectivity since 2003. He was involved in early attempts to incorporate habitat connectivity into transportation planning in Colorado, provided input for the Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study, and is a member of the Wildlife and Transportation Alliance.

29 April

10:15 AM

Understanding and Implementing the Colorado West Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study and Executive Order D 2019 11

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Julia Kintsch

Founder and Conservation Ecologist

ECO-Resolutions, LLC

Julia is an ecologist specializing in conservation planning, road ecology, large landscape conservation and collaborative problem-solving. Julia brings diverse groups and interests together to foster integrative conservation achievements. Following an active career working for non-profit organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project and Freedom to Roam, in 2008, she launched ECO-resolutions LLC. She is a member of the Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance and co-author of the Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study.

29 April

10:15 AM

Understanding and Implementing the Colorado West Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study and Executive Order D 2019 11

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Julie Mach

Conservation Director

Colorado Mountain Club

Julie joined CMC in 2013 to manage the Conservation Department’s stewardship programs and outdoor recreation advocacy initiatives. With over 11 years of experience working on public lands projects in Colorado, Julie strives to bridge the gap between conservation groups, recreational users and land managers formulate smart solutions that protect both recreational and natural resources. Previous positions with a conservation corps, an economic development group, an IT company and a small business start-up have given her a variety of skills in project management, fund development, innovative technology use, partnership-building and more. Julie grew up in California and received her Bachelors of Science from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania before relocating to Colorado and landing in Salida where she currently lives and works. Julie embraces the incredible recreational resources throughout the state as a runner, mountain biker, backcountry skier and kayaker, usually with her dog Slider in tow!

29 April

10:15 AM

RIMS Mobile App: Year 1 data and analytics on recreation & impact monitoring

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Karen Carnicello Wenzel

PhD Candidate, CTRS, CPRP, FDRT Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator Recreation Professions Department of Health Professions

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Karen has a BA degree in Psychology and BS in Recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She also has a MA in Recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation and is all but dissertation, and a PhD candidate in Recreational Therapy from Clemson University. Karen has worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist in mental/behavioral health, has established an adult day program for younger adults with acquired neurological disabilities (King Adult Day Enrichment Program), and served as Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain MS Center for 12 years. She taught as an affiliate faculty in recreation and therapeutic recreation courses at the University of Northern Colorado, and Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSUD) for over 30 years. She is currently an Assistant Professor at MSUD, and is the Recreation Professions Program Coordinator. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, a Certified Inclusion Specialist, Fellow Distinguished in Recreational Therapy, and is Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care certified. Her dissertation focuses on Leisure and Cognitive Wellbeing. Karen has extensive grant writing experience and enjoys sharing success strategies with others.

29 April

10:15 AM

Using Outcome Measures to Prove Your Impact

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Karl Ford

Environmental Scientist

BLM

Karl Ford, Ph.D. of Denver, is an Environmental Scientist. Karl is retired from the Bureau of Land Management. His interests are in natural history, public lands conservation and climate change. He will compete the triple crown of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail; also the Colorado Trail. He is active in the Colorado Mountain Club as an instructor and in conservation.

28 April

10:15 AM

Where Wildlife Roam: The Need for Habitat Connectivity

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Katie Navin

Executive Director

Colorado Association for Environmental Education

Katie is the executive director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), a network of over 800 educators working to ensure all Coloradans have access to environmental and outdoor learning. She has been active in the field of environmental education for over 15 years. She joined CAEE in May of 2008 and since then has led Environmental Literacy Plan efforts in collaboration with the State Department of Education and is the past chair of the North American Association for Environmental Education’s Affiliate Network.

28 April

02:45 PM

Creating Pathways to Natural Resource Careers: By Youth and For Youth

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

29 April

08:45 AM

Get Colorado Kids Outside: Policies for Youth Outdoor Engagement

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Katie Payne

Channel and Media Strategy Supervisor

R&R Partners

Katie is one of those rare talents in the ever-changing field of digital media and consumer behavior. As a marketing channel and media supervisor, she oversees audience development and the marketing mix and go to market plans for clients across the agency.

Katie is highly detail-oriented and loves digging into analytics in developing solid media campaigns. Her keen insight into how, when and where audiences consume digital content has helped increase the presence and improved brand ID for a variety of R&R Partner’s clients. In her five years at R&R Partners, her notable work has included managing media programs for Pabst Brewing Company, Discover Puerto Rico, Las Vegas Convention & Visitor’s Authority, Colorado Wildlife Council, and well as new business efforts.

Collaborating across teams in media, measurement, and content publishing, she uses research and experience to determine which marketing channels will best reach the target audience and deliver the biggest bang for the buck. She’s constantly driving our digital teams to achieve exceptional results.

Katie is a Colorado native, an alumna of the University of Colorado where she received her Master’s degree in sports and entertainment marketing.
Katie and her husband love the great outdoors, and love to explore their local hiking trails with their two dogs.

28 April

02:45 PM

Educating an Important Audience

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Kaycee Manuppella

4-H STEM Extension Agent School Enrichment, Afterschool & AmeriCorps Site Supervisor

Colorado State University Extension - Garfield County

Kaycee has been a 4-H STEM Agent in Garfield County for the last 3 years, with a focus on afterschool programming and school enrichment. Following her early career as an elementary teacher, she has enjoyed the opportunity to apply the 4-H motto of Learning By Doing in the less traditional format of 4-H STEM programming. She is a life-time resident of Garfield County, and has enjoyed raising her children in this beautiful area. She and her husband enjoy exploring and traveling as they experience the outdoors wherever they land.

29 April

08:45 AM

A hunter, a liberal, a conservative, and a part-time vegetarian walk into a bar...together!

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Kelli Hepler

Owner

Graphox Design and Advertising

Kelli Hepler has a degree in Commercial Art from Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. Kelli developed an award winning Agritourism program for Delta County in 2005. She sits on the Board of the Colorado Agritourism Association and was part of a four-person team that developed the Strategic Plan for Colorado Agritourism and has presented over 50 workshops on the topic. She has worked with Byways for more than 20 years developing marketing, interpretive training materials including the Grassroots Training Program of the State of Colorado.Kelli enjoys boating, mountain biking, travel, foodie adventures, history, farm dinners, house rabbits and family.

29 April

10:15 AM

Redstone, Colorado: Adapting Partnerships and Opportunities for Resource Protection and Visitor Enhancement

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Lindsey Utter

Planning and Outreach Manager

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

Lindsey Utter is the Planning and Outreach Manager for Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. She currently manages the planning team, guiding the management of fee simple properties and public outreach and education on Open Space assets. Prior to her 10 years with Pitkin County, Lindsey worked with a consulting firm on public land projects around the American west and in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys outdoor activities and art.

29 April

10:15 AM

Redstone, Colorado: Adapting Partnerships and Opportunities for Resource Protection and Visitor Enhancement

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Liz Vogel

Deputy Director for Youth and Outdoor Education Programs

The Wilderness Society

Liz Vogel, Deputy Director for Youth and Outdoor Education at The Wilderness Society, is based in Claremont, NH. She graduated with a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. Originally from Kennett Square, PA, Liz has spent much of her childhood and adult life seeking out adventures on public lands- from backpacking with her dad at a young age on the Appalachian Trail to leading youth trail crews 30 miles deep in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Her career has been focused on getting youth outside- for education, play, and stewardship. She spent 15 years at the Student Conservation Association, most recently as the National Programs Director, after many years in the field teaching environmental education and building trails in UT, NY, VA, IN, WY, MS, and CA.

28 April

01:15 PM

Public Lands - A More Inclusive Perspective for Colorado and Beyond

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Mary Ann Bonnell

Visitor Services Manager

Jefferson County Open Space

Mary Ann is the Visitor Services Manager for Jefferson County Open Space. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Mary Ann’s work focuses on supporting the team that manages seven million annual visitors to 46,000 acres of open space. Mary Ann’s research and publications include two urban coyote research papers and a children’s book on climate change. She is currently working on a rattlesnake research journal article.

27 April

04:45 PM

Mean(ingful) Tweets: Public Lands Edition

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

28 April

01:15 PM

Share the Trail? Examining expectations and reality around trail courtesy and multi-use trails

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Mary McCormac

Statewide Interpretation and Wildlife Viewing Coordinator

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Mary McCormac has worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for 18 years. Currently the Statewide Interpretation and Wildlife Viewing Coordinator, Mary provides programs and training for educators and community members interested in wildlife- and outdoor-related topics. She also supports volunteers, partners, and staff in providing effective, quality interpretive programs and nature-related opportunities that help connect people to wildlife and the outdoors. Previous to this position, Mary was the Northeast Region Education and Volunteer Coordinator, as well as Visitor Services Manager at Eldorado Canyon State Park. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida and her Masters degree in Teaching in the Biological Sciences/Conservation Education from Miami University of Ohio. Mary's passion is providing opportunities that help foster future stewards of Colorado's amazing natural resources.

28 April

10:15 AM

Hunting in the Park? Wildlife Management in a Changing World

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Mel Yemma

Planner

Town of Crested Butte

Mel started as the Town of Crested Butte’s open space coordinator in Spring of 2018. After growing up on the east coast, Mel became an official Colorado transplant after falling in love with the mountains throughout her studies at Colorado College, where she majored in environmental science. After moving to the Gunnison Valley, Mel spent four years working for both a local food and gardening organization as well as an environmental advocacy non-profit. By working with the Town of Crested Butte, Mel enjoys planning open space projects that both protect our surrounding lands while allowing sustainable public access for all to enjoy the beauty of Crested Butte.

27 April

04:45 PM

Stand Up Paddleboards or Great Blue Herons? A look at the Slate River Working Group and its multi-lateral approach to river recreation management

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Meredith Burke

Program Director

Garfield County Outdoors

Meredith is the Program Director of Garfield County Outdoors, which is one of fifteen Great Outdoors Colorado-funded Generation Wild communities working to connect youth and families with the outdoors. Meredith is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan and earned a degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Michigan. After college, Meredith served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Colorado Springs and found a passion in connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with resources, new opportunities, and new friends. In the fall, Meredith will be pursuing a sustainability-focused MBA at Colorado State University.

29 April

08:45 AM

A hunter, a liberal, a conservative, and a part-time vegetarian walk into a bar...together!

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Mike Sukle

Founder + Creative Director

Sukle Advertising & Design

Every day, Mike’s expertise helps Sukle Advertising & Design, create campaigns that are among the most effective in the country and often held as examples of how to create engaging, impactful communications. The agency has achieved an enviable track record of helping clients across the gamut achieve impressive results, including brands such as Noodles & Company, Carter’s, Whole Foods, Nestlé-Purina, Denver Water, UNICEF Tap Project, Colorado Governor’s Office and Great Outdoors Colorado. Sukle has received creative acknowledgment from around the globe, with work being featured at the Venice Festival of Media, the OBIE Awards and the national Addy awards, as well as on ABC’s “The World’s Best TV Commercials You’ve Probably Never Seen” and in Communication Arts, The One Show, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, George Washington University and Stanford University, among many others. But any chance at gaining a swelled head was dashed the day after his first Best of Show award, when a letter came addressed to “Suckie Advertising.”

29 April

10:15 AM

An idea worth sharing, a mission worth joining

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Nic Korte

Conservation Chairman

Grand Valley Audubon

Nic Korte published one technical book and more than 50 peer-reviewed research articles as a geochemist. He has been the Conservation Chairman for Grand Valley Audubon for more than two decades and led a Western Screech-Owl project that has engaged several hundred Grand Valley citizens. His volunteer work in the conservation community culminated in his being the 2015 recipient of the Richard G. Levad Award, awarded by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies recognizing individuals who “have provided distinguished service to the ornithological community, made scholarly contributions to the field of ornithology and/ or have enthused others about conserving birds and their habitats.” This past July, Nic received the William Dutcher Award from the National Audubon Society for his “leadership in the birding community of Western Colorado for over four decades and his continual voice for the environment, birds, and the conservation challenges they face every day.

28 April

10:15 AM

Where Wildlife Roam: The Need for Habitat Connectivity

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Noel Durant

Crested Butte Land Trust

Noel is currently the Executive Director of the Crested Butte Land Trust, where he leads a team of driven conservation professionals who protect and steward 6000 acres of open space integral to the unique heritage and quality of life in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. Prior moving to the wilds of the Intermountain West, Noel worked for Trust for Public Land in Chattanooga, TN, where he managed park development and urban land conservation projects as the Chattanooga Program Director. Noel worked closely with a variety of city and non-profit partners to invest in open space and trails to connect people to nature. Noel started his conservation nonprofit career managing resource stewardship at the Lula Lake Land Trust, a watershed based conservation organization based on Lookout Mountain, just south of Chattanooga. Noel managed 3500 acres of private land for natural resource benefit, coordinated environmental education and research activities, and developed 34 miles of multi-use trail connecting a nearby state park. In his former life, Noel worked with the National Park Service working in prescribed fire management in King’s Mountain National Military Park, and traveled the west fighting wildfires as a crewmember of the Alpine Interagency Hotshot Crew, based in Rocky Mountain National Park. Noel graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management, and is thrilled to further land conservation in the Gunnison Valley.

27 April

04:45 PM

Stand Up Paddleboards or Great Blue Herons? A look at the Slate River Working Group and its multi-lateral approach to river recreation management

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

29 April

08:45 AM

What has private land conservation done for you lately? Success stories of land trust partnerships and public benefits

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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29 April

10:15 AM

RIMS Mobile App: Year 1 data and analytics on recreation & impact monitoring

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Patsy McEntee

Project Manager & Landscape Architect

National Park Service

Patsy McEntee has been a project manager and landscape architect with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program since 2011 and currently supports projects in TX, UT, OK, CO and MT. She began her parks career 20 years ago building trails with Boulder County Parks & Open Space and has specialty expertise in park development, alternative transportation planning and design, recreation, open space and collaborative planning. Since 2018, Patsy has been supporting DOI Secretarial Order 3366, aimed at increasing recreational opportunities on lands and waters managed by the US Dept. of Interior. She actively integrates health partners and Park Rx programming into her work with communities and supports national programs. Patsy lives in Louisville, CO and is a mountain and road cyclist, hiker, runner, skier, all-terrain stroller-pusher and former mountaineer.

29 April

10:15 AM

What the Rx is going on in Colorado?!?

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Patt Dorsey

Director of Conservation Operations - West

National Wildlife Turkey Federation

Patt Dorsey retired from Colorado Parks and Wildlife after a 28-year career with her final position as Southwest Region Manager. She worked on a variety of wildlife issues from mountain lion/human interactions to habitat and land use management ranging geographically from Boulder to Cortez. She currently lives east of Durango and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities.

28 April

10:15 AM

Where Wildlife Roam: The Need for Habitat Connectivity

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Paul Bruchez

Agriculture Representative

Colorado Basin Roundtable

Paul Bruchez is the 5th generation of the Bruchez family to farm and ranch in Colorado. Paul currently operates the family ranch near Kremmling with his brother and father. They raise cattle and irrigate with water from the Colorado River, the Williams Fork River and Reeder Creek. After graduating from the University of Denver in 2003, Paul started a fly fishing business to help diversify income. Paul is currently spearheading a 12-mile restoration of the Colorado River with 12 landowners collaborating to sustain agriculture and the environmental health of the river. He serves as the Agriculture Representative to the Colorado Basin Roundtable, on the board of directors for the Colorado Water Trust, the Chair of Grand County Open Lands, Rivers and Trials Advisory Committee, and on the Advisory Committee for the Colorado Ag Water Network.

28 April

02:45 PM

New Funding to Implement Colorado's Water Plan: Putting Together Winning Proposals for Multi-Benefit, Water-Related Projects

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Robin Brown

West Slope Hunter Representative

Robin represents that scary thing in Colorado called growth, landing in Grand Junction in 2010 after spending 8 years serving in the US Army as an attack helicopter pilot. She and her husband, Jason, and their two children, Hank and Merli, enjoy all the uses of our public lands- especially hunting, fishing, hiking, running, mountain biking and skiing.

28 April

02:45 PM

Educating an Important Audience

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Rob White

Park Manager of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

As Park Manager of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Rob provides leadership and direction in the management of the recreation area on a day-to-day basis. This includes being responsible for the formulation of policies, goals and objectives; the coordination of facility development and land acquisition; the preparation of a variety of monthly and yearly reports and comprehensive plans; the development, implementation and administration of a variety of budgets; the coordination and attendance at a number of staff and agency meetings; the inspection of park facilities and programs; leading the negotiations for a variety of services and programs; and the supervision of his staff. He also provides recreation and operational expertise and assistance to local, state and federal agencies and organizations.

28 April

02:45 PM

Rivers are for Sharing, Success in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Recreation Improvements Achieved Through Partnerships

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Robyn Paulekas

Senior Mediator and Program Manager

Meridian Institute

Robyn is a Senior Mediator and Program Manager at Meridian Institute. In this role she catalyzes collaboration, builds partnerships, convenes policy dialogues, and improves decision-making on a variety of topics, including conservation, outdoor recreation, water, and agriculture. Robyn facilitates the Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership, which brings together experts on youth outdoor engagement and state policy to identify, amplify, and support policies that get kids outside.

29 April

08:45 AM

Get Colorado Kids Outside: Policies for Youth Outdoor Engagement

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Ron Sanchez

Director

Homestake Project

Ron Sanchez serves as a director on the Homestake Project and is the Managing Engineer for Water Planning and Design for Colorado Springs Utilities. Ron has been involved in infrastructure planning, design and construction of water systems for over 25 years. The Water Planning and Design team is responsible for the planning and design of water infrastructure necessary to support Colorado Springs Utilities vast raw and potable water systems. Ron holds a BS Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado.

28 April

02:45 PM

Rivers are for Sharing, Success in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Recreation Improvements Achieved Through Partnerships

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Rosemary Dempsey

Director of Communications

Great Outdoors Colorado

Rosemary joined GOCO in 2016 after a decade of working at advertising and marketing agencies in the Boulder/Denver area. She received her master’s degree in mass communication research from the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Journalism School and her bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College. She lives near the Flatirons in Boulder with her husband and two children. The whole family likes to hike, camp, and road trip to new outdoor destinations. Rosemary oversees GOCO's marketing and communications strategy and serves as the organization's primary press contact.

29 April

10:15 AM

An idea worth sharing, a mission worth joining

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Ryan Martens

Landowner Representative

Slate River Working Group

Ryan is a serial software and social entrepreneur with more than 30 years of creation and collaboration in the Boulder startup community. With deep expertise in SaaS, Agile product development, Enterprise Lean Startup and collaboration solutions, Ryan is a skilled technical and business leader who is known for his development of shared vision and collaborative leadership skills. Currently, Ryan's focus is on private and public solutions for sustainability and climate resilience. He works as a board member and angel investor in these sectors. Ryan and his family own property along the Slate River adjacent to the Town of Crested Butte, and are passionate supporters of open space conservation in the Gunnison Valley.

27 April

04:45 PM

Stand Up Paddleboards or Great Blue Herons? A look at the Slate River Working Group and its multi-lateral approach to river recreation management

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Sarah Johnson

Founder and Director

Wild Rose Education

Sarah Johnson, MAEd., Wild Rose Education, Founder and Director, works to advance place-based education and civic engagement through authentic learning experiences connecting people to the landscape to foster their own personal land and water ethic. She believes in democracy, loves wild places, and strives to create opportunities for people to contribute to their future world through participation in public life. Sarah has been based in western Colorado working to protect rivers and public lands since 2004 where she enjoys playing outside during all seasons, gardening, and making music.

28 April

01:15 PM

Public Lands - A More Inclusive Perspective for Colorado and Beyond

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Sarah Lyke

Assistant Program Director

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)

Sarah Lyke serves as an Assistant Program Director for AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Southwest Region based out of Aurora, CO. AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, team-based service program for 18-24 year olds. NCCC’s mission is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. In her role she has the awesome responsibility of performing community outreach and project development in five states. Sarah is a national service alumni serving in AmeriCorps NCCC from 2000-2002.

Sarah’s passion for service started while working in the areas of public recreation services and residential camping after earning a Recreation Professions degree from Metropolitan State University. Sarah is still actively engaged in the recreation community as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), member of Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) and the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP).

29 April

08:45 AM

Increase Your Organization's Impact through AmeriCorps

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Scott Segerstrom

Executive Director

Colorado Youth Corps Association

Scott is the executive director of the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) representing 8 accredited corps which engage more than 1,600 youth, young adults, and veterans annually. Scott has served in the conservation corps sector for more than a decade with CYCA and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Steamboat. Prior to joining conservation corps management, Scott was a wildland firefighter and wilderness ranger with Bridger-Teton National Forest.

28 April

02:45 PM

Creating Pathways to Natural Resource Careers: By Youth and For Youth

Priority Area #2: Promote stewardship of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

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Scott Winans

President

Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association

Scott Winans has been involved with singletrack trail creation for 25 years, and has served since 2009 on the board of directors of the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association, Inc. (COPMOBA), and since 2011 as President. COPMOBA is a 30+ year western Colorado regional non-profit organization committed to advocacy for, and construction and maintenance of, non-motorized singletrack trail.
Via its current five chapters, COPMOBA furthers its mission through active and responsible partnership with Federal and State management agencies, County, Municipal, and organizational agents, as well as business and individual members in all of the communities in which it operates. Scott believes that these community relationships, and the demonstrated lifestyle and economic benefits of trails in the communities, are the keys to the grounded success of the organization.

Scott is the V.P. of Engineering for Mountain Racing Products, based in Grand Junction, where the team designs, tests, and manufactures high-end mountain bike components, utilizing the local trail networks as our testing grounds. Scott is also the co-owner of Rapid Creek Cycles, in Palisade, serving the needs of local riders and paddlers as well as visitors to the regions agriculture and viticulture resources.

28 April

10:15 AM

Best Practices for Partnering With Land Managers To Develop New Recreation Opportunities

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Shaina Young

Graphic Designer

Jefferson County Open Space

With a background in Journalism and Digital Media, Shaina enjoys the challenge of developing messages that reach people at the right time and place for greatest impact. As part of the Communications/Community Connections Team at Jeffco Open Space, Shaina works throughout the organization to streamline communications with visitors, partners, and internal teams. Shaping conversations through events, web, social media, and marketing materials, she strives to build relationships with audiences of all types.

27 April

04:45 PM

Mean(ingful) Tweets: Public Lands Edition

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Shaun Howard

Park Ranger Lead

Jefferson County Open Space

Shaun has worked in Natural Resource Education for over 20 years. With a background in psychology and biology, wildland firefighting, emergency response and EMT instruction, Shaun brings a unique perspective on human dimensions within land management. As a Park Ranger Lead at Jefferson County Open Space for the last 14 years, Shaun heads up the Volunteer Patroller Team that encourages peer-to-peer interactions and promotes positive, proactive stewardship behavior with park visitors.

27 April

04:45 PM

Mean(ingful) Tweets: Public Lands Edition

Priority Area #1: Enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for all Coloradans.

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Susan Spackman Punjabi

Senior Botanist

Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Susan is a Botanist with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. She has focused her research on the rare plants of Colorado for over 20 years and is the principal author of the Colorado Rare Plant Guide. Susan has conducted field research across Colorado, and has written numerous Best Management Practices, and Conservation Action Plans. Her current interests also include pollinator conservation and rare plant pollinators.

29 April

08:45 AM

Protecting the Underdog: Why and How to Address Rare Plants in Land Use Planning

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

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Taishya Adams

Commissioner

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Taishya Adams is an avid rock climber, skier, hiker and backpacker. Adams serves as a Senior Technical Consultant at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). In this role, Adams develops, implements, and monitors a coordinated strategy to build the capacity of state education agency staff, districts leaders and partners to increase the academic outcomes of the students in their states. Adams also serves as the Colorado co-lead for Outdoor Afro. Outdoor Afro is a national organization that celebrates and inspires African American connections and leadership in nature. Adams is the founding Board President for New Legacy Charter School – a charter high school and early learning center for teen parents and their children in Aurora, Colorado. Adams is committed to ensuring equity (e.g. access, representation, meaningful participation and quality) in all her endeavors. She holds a MA from George Washington University in International Education and a BA from Vassar College in Political Science and Film Production.

28 April

01:15 PM

Hunting for Sustainability: Recruiting A New Generation of Conservation Minded Hunters

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Tim Wohlgenant

Coalition Director

For the Love of Colorado

Tim Wohlgenant is the Coalition Director of For the Love of Colorado – a collaboration of water stakeholders from across the state seeking to address the funding gap standing in the way of full implementation of Colorado’s Water Plan. Tim’s commitment to multi-stakeholder, collaborative approaches to addressing urban park and natural resource challenges has been a common theme throughout his career. Prior to this current role, Tim spent 11 years with the Trust for Public Land, as Colorado State Director for 7 years and then as Chief Operating Officer for the national organization for 4 years.

28 April

02:45 PM

New Funding to Implement Colorado's Water Plan: Putting Together Winning Proposals for Multi-Benefit, Water-Related Projects

Priority Area #4: Ensure adequate funding availability to sustain Colorado’s outdoors for the future.

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Tony Cady

Region 5 Planning and Environmental Manager

Colorado Department of Transportation

Mr. Cady has been designing and implementing Wildlife Vehicle Collision reduction projects throughout Colorado for over 15 years. These projects have been designed to address driver safety issues while maintaining or enhancing habitat connectivity. In addition to being a member of the Wildlife and Transportation Alliance, Mr. Cady managed the West Slope Wildlife Prioritization Project to identify priority areas for Wildlife mitigation on Colorado’s West Slope.

29 April

10:15 AM

Understanding and Implementing the Colorado West Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study and Executive Order D 2019 11

Priority Area #3: Conserve lands, waters and wildlife.

Schedule

Keep It Colorado Spring Summit

Registration and Exhibitor Booth Set-Up

Colorado Outdoor Partnership (CO-OP) Meeting

Hanging Lake Field Trip and Hike

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways & Partners

Hunting For Sustainability Clinic

State Trails Committee Meeting

Natural Leaders Workshop

Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Advisory Council

Friends of State Parks Rendezvous

CPW Education Coordinators

Mean(ingful) Tweets: Public Lands Edition

Stand Up Paddleboards or Great Blue Herons? A look at the Slate River Working Group and its multi-lateral approach to river recreation management

CODEX- a New Tool for Conservation and Planning in Colorado

Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships

Forever CO Social

Breakfast

Guided Hike (Optional)

Conference Kick Off Session/Live Podcast: Lessons from Fisher’s Peak: A Case Study in Balancing Conservation and Recreation

Break

Next-Gen Outdoor Recreation: Building Solutions to Meet Millennial & Generation Z Expectations

Best Practices for Partnering With Land Managers To Develop New Recreation Opportunities

No Occupation without Representation: creating an inclusive workforce

Future Outdoor Leaders: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from Colorado Mountain College Students

Where Wildlife Roam: The Need for Habitat Connectivity

Hunting in the Park? Wildlife Management in a Changing World

Outdoor Equity Podcast Session with Nuestra Tierra

Envision Recreation in Balance - Community-driven solutions to manage recreation growth in balance with healthy forests, waters and wildlife

Lunch

Introduction to 2020 Partners in Outdoors Conference

Opening Address

Platinum Sponsor Welcome: GOCO

Opening Address: DNR Director Dan Gibbs

Keynote Sponsor Remarks

Keynote Speaker: Rachel VandeVoort

Break

Public Lands - A More Inclusive Perspective for Colorado and Beyond

Share the Trail? Examining expectations and reality around trail courtesy and multi-use trails

Habitat Partnership Program - 30 years and Still Going Strong

WORKSHOP: Strategies for Balancing Dispersed Recreation and Conservation Objectives

Balance: Why it matters in Colorado's recreation and conservation relationship

How Might We Plan Trails and Protect Wildlife?

Conservation Relevancy in Colorado: Exploring Innovative Ways to Connect with the Public

Hunting for Sustainability: Recruiting A New Generation of Conservation Minded Hunters

Break

No More Volunteering as Tribute

Conflict to Collaboration: Lessons from Climbers & Tribes from the Bears Ears National Monument

Educating an Important Audience

Creating Pathways to Natural Resource Careers: By Youth and For Youth

Let's advance conservation - new models to encourage more conservation

Rivers are for Sharing, Success in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Recreation Improvements Achieved Through Partnerships

GOCO 2020 Strategic Plan

New Funding to Implement Colorado's Water Plan: Putting Together Winning Proposals for Multi-Benefit, Water-Related Projects

A Conversation with State Outdoor Recreation Office Directors COREC

Developing COTREX in a Bustling Trails App World

Diversifying Community Engagement in Conservation Through Film Hispanic Access Foundation

Social Hour

Dinner, Keynote and Awards Ceremony

Gold Sponsor Remarks: Colorado Wildlife Council

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Agency Address: Director Dan Prenzlow

Partner Awards Ceremony

Evening Networking (optional)

Guided Hike (Optional)

Breakfast

Get Colorado Kids Outside: Policies for Youth Outdoor Engagement

A hunter, a liberal, a conservative, and a part-time vegetarian walk into a bar...together!

Find Your Fourteener: Reaching New Heights through Collaborative Stewardship

Implementing a Shared Stewardship Strategy for Trails

What has private land conservation done for you lately? Success stories of land trust partnerships and public benefits

Protecting the Underdog: Why and How to Address Rare Plants in Land Use Planning

Restoring Colorado's Landscape - Partnership Style

Increase Your Organization's Impact through AmeriCorps

Break

What the Rx is going on in Colorado?!?

An idea worth sharing, a mission worth joining

CONFLICT! Let's get beyond conflict

Working with Tribes: A framework for building productive and respectful relationships

RIMS Mobile App: Year 1 data and analytics on recreation & impact monitoring

Understanding and Implementing the Colorado West Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study and Executive Order D 2019 11