https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/c2aa8563c102032de8c2b1dd65ae0209.pdf 048db7474efd3ec8ad8c317f4f985796 PDF Text Text C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Post-Conference Report 2019 PARTNERS IN THE OUTDOORS CONFERENCE �Partners in the Outdoors Dear Partners in the Outdoors Conference Attendees, Thank You Sponsors! Platinum It is hard to believe four months have passed since we gathered in Breckenridge to forge new and stronger connections as we began our efforts to Shift from Planning to Action for Colorado. The powerful messages presented by keynote speakers Dr. Carolyn Finney, Mahting Putelis, and Stacy Bare demonstrated points of collaboration and success, but also challenged our community to do more. Outdoor recreation and conservation has space for everyone, and your work and commitment to provide opportunities and access to the outdoors for all Coloradans is incredibly important and powerful. We recognize and appreciate this work as an integral part of our collective future. Over the course of three days, we worked together to make our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) a living blueprint for a better Colorado. We found common ground on the plan’s priorities of sustainable access and opportunity; stewardship; land, water and wildlife conservation; and funding the future. As we move forward, our charge is considering what we all can do to help further the SCORP’s goals. Continued conversations will help us fortify priorities and make the associated goals become our reality. Gold/ Keynote Our intention in planning the conference is providing the most relevant and practical breakout sessions that reflect the changing trends in our field, as well as the evolving interests and needs of our attendees. Thank you to our session organizers - your passion and dedication helps ensure the conference is not only informative and effective, but also enjoyable. Furthermore, your leadership advances the shared priorities of the Partners in the Outdoors program. Conference attendance has steadily increased and we view this growth as a shared achievement. For instance, our 2019 conference hosted 573 attendees, up from 509 the year before. However, our goal is not just to build attendance, but to focus on how we continue to expand and strengthen partnerships after the conference. One way we accomplish this connection is the Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program, available to all participants after the conference. Fortunately, our higher attendance numbers translates into higher revenues and a greater case for sponsorships. This year, we awarded $60,000 in grants to 13 partner organizations, a $20,000 increase from 2018. This funding would not be possible without our sponsors, so thank you to our sponsoring organizations - your support of partnerships in Colorado is invaluable. What does the future look like? Please save the date for next year’s conference, April 27-29, 2020. We plan to move to a larger facility, so stay tuned for an announcement on the new conference location and theme. We again look to you to provide top-notch, actionable sessions that help ensure the Colorado we know and love today endures for future generations. Contributing Sincerely, Dan Zimmerer Statewide Partnership Coordinator Colorado Parks and Wildlife dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us Silver Dan Zimmerer 1 2 �Colorado’s SCORP For more information, including the full report, see coloradoscorp.org Pre-Conference Help us shift from Planning to Action as we work to implement the Interested in holding a pre-conference event, meeting or workshop? Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Contact Dan Zimmerer at DNR_CPWPartners@state.co.us for more information. Many organizations utilize PreConference time and space to host meetings or workshops and take advantage of the number of people that are attending the conference. Objective I: Break Down Barriers - Better understand and address barriers to engaging people in outdoor recreation. Enhance efforts to engage Coloradans who currently lack or have limited opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation. Objective II: Technology Connects More People to the Outdoors Advance easily accessible information that enhances user experience and offers tools to outdoor recreation providers. Objective III: Private and Public Lands Support Outdoor Recreation - Develop strategies across Colorado to build support for sustainable outdoor recreation access. Advance Colorado the Beautiful vision that every Coloradan will live within 10 minutes of a park, trail or vibrant green space. Objective I: Build an Outdoor Stewardship Ethic - Foster awareness and experiences that build an ethic of stewardship and responsibility to care for natural and cultural resources and outdoor recreation infrastructure. Objective II: Enhance Stewardship Capacity Increase capacity of outdoor recreation providers, stewardship organizations and agencies to engage volunteers, employ youth and young adults, and enhance other types of support for on-the-ground, action-oriented stewardship activities. Objective I: Advance Landscape-scale Conservation - Work across jurisdictional and land ownership boundaries to plan for wildlife and natural resource conservation along with the growing demand for recreation access. Collaborate to tackle pressing and emerging issues and to identify and safeguard important areas for conservation, working lands and recreation access across the state. Objective II: Address Recreation Impacts Proactively manage visitors and maintain infrastructure to provide positive outdoor recreation experiences while limiting resource impacts. Utilize best practices when developing new trails or other outdoor infrastructure. The following groups hosted Pre-Conference meetings this year: Children & Nature Network Natural Leaders Workshop Colorado Outdoor Partnership and Outdoor Recreation Office Advisory Council joint meeting Colorado Scenic Byways Program Meeting: Taking SCORP to action Objective I: Build Support for Conservation Funding Raise political and public awareness for the value of Colorado’s outdoors to Coloradans’ quality of life, economic prosperity, heritage and public and environmental health so that more people contribute funds to support outdoor recreation and conservation. Objective II: Diversify and Expand Funding Source(s) - Identify and pursue new funds available to organizations and management agencies that directly benefits outdoor recreation and conservation of natural resources. 3 Friends of Colorado State Parks Rendezvous Hunting for Sustainability with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers 4 �Conference Kick Off Forever Colorado Social As the official opening event of the conference, attendees enjoyed local wild game, beef, and beverages, all in a relaxed setting. The Social is a perfect opportunity to network and foster new partnerships! 5 General Session Speakers from left to right: Jody Kennedy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife • Luis Benitez: VF Corporation Dan Gates: Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management • Carlos Fernandez: The Nature Conservancy Scott Segerstrom: Colorado Youth Corps • Allison Kincaid: Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Conference kick-off SCORP Session The Colorado Outdoor Partnership presented the priorities of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), led a collaborative workshop to advance the plan into action, and facilitated a next-step conversation. Participants connected with other organizations working on similar priorities and identified future opportunities to collaborate. The session wrapped-up by highlighting participant ideas on how to measure progress at the 2020 Partners in the Outdoors Conference. 6 �General Session Opening Keynote Keynote Speaker: Dr. Carolyn Finney In an effort to ensure our conference is representative of the perspectives of all Coloradans, Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered with Great Outdoors Colorado and the Children and Nature Network’s Natural Leaders Program to bring a cohort of young professionals and students from diverse backgrounds to the conference. In addition, our Partnership Program and Careers and Workforce Development office provided scholarships to members of the Next 100 Coalition and other organizations working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Colorado. Jeffrey VerSteeg, Acting Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, spoke about CPW’s efforts to advance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado, including our financial support of $30 million to 150 partner organizations. CJ Goulding, Manager of Community Leadership Development, Children & Nature Network, spoke about the national network of leaders working to create equitable access to nature in their communities. Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources, shared his vision for the department and Colorado’s outdoor future. Carolyn Finney, PhD, storyteller, author and cultural geographer, spoke about her work on developing greater cultural competency within environmental organizations and institutions. Her talk addressed the legacy and condradictions of African-Americans in the outdoors. These contradictions inform the work that many of us are doing today concerning the restorative power of the landscape and any kind of environmental engagement for ALL people. Attendees were left with the following guiding questions: How do we reimagine the relationship between African Americans and the great outdoors within in the context of our complicated history? How do we support and promote greater representation of nature and people of color in our media and organizations? And how does privilege affect who gets to speak to environmental issues and determine policy and action? “I’m thinking about the issue of Justice - what it DEMANDS is total transformation. What a tremendous privilege and opportunity. And it is not without risk. And it’s not about being comfortable.” -Dr. Carolyn Finney Thank You US Forest Service! Keynote Sponsor Len Necefer, Founder & CEO of Natives Outdoors, opened the conference with a powerful land acknowledgment, recognizing the native people who first lived on and cared for the land. Chris Castallian, Executive Director, Great Outdoors Colorado, shared updates on grant projects being funded by GOCO. 7 Tammy Whittington, Deputy Regional Forester, US Forest Service 8 �Evening Keynote Keynote Speaker: Stacy Bare Keynote Speaker: Mahting Putelis As an adventurer, entrepreneur, photographer, mountain guide and educator, Mahting Putelis has spent his fair share of time outdoors. Mahting’s talk focused on elevating the “conservation conversation.” Mahting stated “Bikers are fishers, hunters are land stewards, runners are birders, and so on.” Most people identify as more than just one recreation activity, so Mahting seeks to foster collaborative conversations across the varied sectors in the outdoors. To encourage dialogue, Mahting co-founded Hunt to Eat, a lifestyle apparel brand, where each item is designed as a conservation conversation starter. “Hunt To Eat reflects our ethos, it’s not a new ethos it simply wasn’t being represented well. Hunt To Eat encompasses challenge, community, adventure, ecology, stewardship and more: it says that we are connected to our food and the animal it came from.” -Mahting Puetlis Thank You Colorado Wildlife Council! Keynote Sponsor Closing Keynote Andy Neinas, Chair, Colorado Wildlife Council 9 As a veteran of the Iraq war, Stacy shared his compelling story on the healing powers of the outdoors and the related importance of balancing conservation and recreation. His theme was that “YOU MATTER, what you do each and every day matters. It sets and grows the most effective foundation for a healthy, connected, dynamic, thriving community.” He emphasized that “there are other inputs equally as important for the healthof a community and a nation—education, medicalsystems, clean air and water, plentiful food, etc. but here’s the thing—quality parks and recreation, thriving communities of wildlife, hunter and fishing education programs, healthy ranching, farming, and foraging all play a huge part in supporting each of those needs. What’s more, no matter your religious or scientific understanding of the awe-inspiring world and universe around us—we should all be able to agree that it started outside!” “There are few things in the life of a state and nation more important than its parks and open space and the associated programming to make sure ALL people, not only have access to, but feel welcome, and not just use, but engage with and steward the land just as they should let the land steward them... because sometimes there are places we shouldn’t go in order to make sure those places can heal for countless future generations.” -Stacy Bare 10 Thank You Colorado Lottery! Keynote Sponsor Tom Seaver, Director, Colorado Lottery �Partner Awards Statewide Partner of the Year Chico Basin Ranch Chico Basin Ranch is a cattle ranch with over 190,000 acres across two ranches. Their land management programs are exemplary, and the conservation partnerships they have cultivated are truly a model for aspiring land managers. CPW is proud of the collaborative partnership with Chico Basin Ranch that has enhanced CPW’s ability to educate our public, as well as manage and conserve wildlife in Southeast Colorado. The Partner Awards are given to organizations working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to advance and balance conservation and recreation in Colorado. Congratulations to this year’s winners! Northeast Region Morning Fresh Dairy & noosa yoghurt Nominees: • Chico Basin Ranch • Central Colorado Conservancy • History Colorado • Morning Fresh Dairy & noosa yoghurt Statewide Partner Collaboration of the Year Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District Nominees: • Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan ERBM has worked in Recreation and Park District partnership with CPW, the • City of Colorado Springs, Volunteers Town of Meeker, the local for Outdoors Colorado, Rocky Lions Club, White River Electric Mountain Field Institute, Friends of Association and other business Cheyenne Mountain State Park​ to promote local events such as Family Ice Fishing Day, • Disabled Veterans Cow Elk Hunt Summer Kids Fishing Day Team, Department of Veteran Affairs, and other fishing clinics. ERBM has also been part of the Circle Park Grand Junction Health Care System, Fish Pond project that will be completed this fall and bring more AGP Processing Morning Fresh Dairy & noosa yoghurt are committed to supporting the conservation of Colorado’s outdoors. They were heavily involved with improving Watson Lake State Wildlife Area through 100 hours of volunteer work. In addition, they provided a large donation to the fish passage project to improve angler access, develop educational materials, and connect previously fragmented river habitat. Nominees: • Morning Fresh Dairy & noosa yoghurt • Diversity Equity and Inclusivity Council of Brighton • Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources • Scheels Southwest Region Ouray Police Department The town of Ouray experiences a rise in Black Bear Nuisance calls during times when bears are unable to find food. The Ouray Police Department, in conjunction with the US Forest Service, has started a study on effectiveness of tasers, light, sounds, bean bag rounds, and pepper spray in deterring black bears. Nominees: • Ouray Police Department • Colorado Department of Transportation- Region 5 ​ • The Baird Family fishing opportunities to the families in the Meeker area. Southeast Region Northwest Region Disabled Veterans Cow Elk Hunt Team The Disabled Veterans Cow Elk Hunt Team has introduced hunting to 44 Veterans since 2007, which not only supports CPW’s mission, but more importantly helps give back confidence to our Veterans. The team is made up of passionate professionals and volunteers, each of whom has strengths and attributes that are needed to ensure participants feel safe, confident, and supported while hunting. 11 Central Colorado Conservancy Nominees: • Disabled Veterans Cow Elk Hunt Team, Department of Veteran Affairs, Grand Junction Health Care System, AGP Processing​ • Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Parks District • Glas Deffryn Ranch The Conservancy works closely with CPW on projects such as habitat protection, trail restorations, expanding acres of preserved river and offering fishing opportunities. The Conservancy was also part of the Chaffee County Tax Initiative, which provided $1,000,000+ of funding for conservation. 12 Nominees: • Central Colorado Conservancy • Catamount Institute ​ • Chico Basin Ranch �Breaking Down Barriers Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) and the National Park Service (NPS) provided details of their partnership working together to address barriers of access and opportunity in the outdoors. ELK and NPS encouraged others to share their stories to help ensure all Coloradans have access to the benefits the outdoors provides. Session Coordinator: Taylor Ruffin, Enviromental Learning for Kids Session Summaries Balancing Outdoor Recreation and Conservation: A Timely Conversation This session discussed the impact of Colorado’s growing population and how it will affect both recreation and conservation. Trail development on a landscape level is needed, instead of a regional focus. Action is also needed to monitor recreation impact with real data instead of anecdotal information. Ideas discussed included updates to the State Trails Policy, developing a master plan for trail-based recreation, and tightening regulations on seasonal trail closures. Session Coordinator: Suzanna O’Neill, Colorado Wildlife Federation Be Seen! Strategic Storytelling Skill-Building Workshop Metro Denver Nature Alliance (MDNA) shared their first collaborative project: Nature Narratives. This project provides opportunities for partner organizations to elevate their work and the diverse ways we are promoting healthier people, communities, and natural places in metro Denver. Ideas were shared to develop strategic storytelling skills, craft nature narratives, and learn how to use readily accessible tools and software to get messages out into the world using video. Check out www.metrodna.org/nature-narratives Session Coordinator: Dana Coelho, Metro Denver Nature Alliance Bikes & Burgers - Finding Common Ground Between Livestock Producers & Outdoor Recreation A stimulating discussion about the challenges of bringing diverse groups together for stewardship of the land through multiple use, including livestock production and outdoor recreation. Session Coordinator: Janie VanWinkle, Colorado Cattleman’s Association Check out this video on finding common ground with CCA and Mountain Bikers Partners in the Outdoors is still on Attendify Many of the presentations from the breakout sessions have been added to attendify! Check out the sessions you may have missed or would like more information on. 13 1. Search “Attendify” in the App Store or Google Play Store 2. Create a login and search “Partners in the Outdoors 2019” Changing the Conversation: How Diversifying the Field Can Save our Sporting Heritage In order to save Colorado’s sporting Heritage, this session identified several ways to engage populations who have previously not been heavily involved in the sport. Tips discussed included: focusing on conversation over debate when speaking with non-hunters; asking people about the barriers preventing them from hunting or fishing (instead of assuming what those barriers may be); and visiting the population you are trying to connect with rather than asking them to come to you. Session Coordinator: Marcia Brownlee, Artemis Collaboration for Health: Let’s Connect the Dots Creating collaborative opportunities with others outside of our professions is necessary to establish collaborative health practices. Parks and recreation professionals are at the core of outdoor health and it is critical we partner with public health agencies, healthcare providers, insurers, and community organizations. Connecting all people to the outdoors will ensure access to active living and improve community health. Session Coordinator: Jo Burns, Colorado Public Health HEALTH EQUITY Connecting Transportation and Wildlife: Solutions for Ensuring the Safety of People and Wildlife on Colorado’s Roads This session educated attendees on wildlife and transportation issues throughout Colorado and identified ways to get involved throughout the state. Ideas included measures that institutionalize wildlife considerations into transportation projects and building partnerships to protect wildlife movements across landscapes, all with the ultimate goal of reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and maintaining wildlife populations. Session Coordinator: Dean Riggs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Conservation Easement: A New Method for Valuation This round-table discussion focused on new methods for valuing conservation easements. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is creating a Conservation Evaluation Review Tool (CERT), building a formula for alternative valuation using conservation values CSU’s Ag and Resource Economics Department is developing. The conversation also included updates on potential pilot projects with GOCO and other funding entities. Session Coordinator: Erik Glenn, Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust 14 �COTREX Special Session CPW launched a new and improved version of COTREX at the conference. A session was held to discuss the new features such as: access to almost 40,000 miles 07of trails in the state across 5,7 RS U all jurisdictions and the ability to filter by activity, distance, difficulty, HO RKEDetc. Click here for more information on COTREX. WO Session Coordinator: Alex Dean, DNR & Nick Dellaca, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Creative Collaboration: Misfits Making a Difference Partners from the Montezuma Inspire Coalition shared organizational information and how they received a GOGO grant along with programming and pathways. A main take-away from the session was building support among organizations with aligned missions to better focus on the big picture and share resources. Attendees were reminded, we have the opportunity to provide the experiences kids need. Session Coordinator: Ami McAlpin, Montezuma Inspire Coalition 35 PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL YOUTH AGES 14-18 10 MILES OF TRAIL MAINTAINED 2018 Higher Education Round-table: Career Pipelines, Equitable Opportunities and a Skilled Workforce Speakers from Western State University, Colorado Mountain College and Colorado State University engaged stakeholders in a discussion regarding preparing the next generation of outdoor stewards. Topics covered included the pros and cons of working in the outdoor recreation/conservation fields, investing in masters programs, and recruiting under-represented groups into outdoor-related careers. Session Coordinator: Dr. Rachel Polkrandt, Colorado Mountain College 612 FEET2 OF CROPS PLANTED 105 ACRES IMPROVED YOUTH IMPACT 1,067 FEET OF NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTED Crowding, Congestion and Experiences: The Importance of Visitor Research in Recreation and Tourism Management This session provided managers with examples of how visitor research is utilized in Colorado and across the Western U.S. to help solve management issues. Individuals considered how to start thinking about these issues, as well as how to continue monitoring management dilemmas into the future. Attendees also discussed identifying the process of data collection and how to interpret this data to move into action. Session Coordinator: Jake Jorgenson, RRC Associates Envision Chaffee County: Recreation Balance Initiative Envision Recreation in Balance is a unique, community-driven program balancing sustainable solutions to the urgent challenge of rapid expansion in outdoor recreation with watershed health and stakeholder needs in Chaffee County. This session shared how systems can also be replicated in communities statewide. Session Coordinator: Dominique Naccarato, Greater Arkansas River Nature Association Funding for Colorado’s Outdoor Future Last year, CPW commissioned a study to explore potential funding mechanisms and reviewed findings with individuals and groups who recreate outdoors. The Colorado Outdoor Partnership (CO-OP) members and Meridian Institute led a dynamic discussion regarding ideas for ensuring long-term stable funding sources, such as the possibility of utilizing tax dollars or pursuing a new tax, raising awareness of the issue, engaging volunteers, and considering future administration of funds. Session Coordinator: Robyn Paulekas, Meridian Institute Help CPW Plan Your Next State Park For the passage of the 2018 Hunting, Fishing and Parks for Future Generations Act, CPW identified 10 goals to reach by 2025, including pursuing Colorado’s next state park. The presenters shared draft, high-level criteria to evaluate potential new parks or expand existing parks. Participants gave feedback regarding acquiring and developing new state parks through facilitated discussions. Session Coordinator: Krista Heiner, Colorado Parks and Wildlife 15 Keep Your On-Site Signage FRESH, Not FUNKY This session provided an overview of the field’s historic undisciplined approach to visitor information signs. In the last 5 years, Jeffco has forged a new standard for visitor safety and natural resource protection communication. It’s critical to prioritize messages with what will actually influence visitors when designing new signs. Effective signage can help shape new norms and encourage sustainable visitor behaviors. Session Coordinator: Alexis Sohlden, Jefferson County Open Space Making Change from Change: How Community Fundraising Can Add Up As people increasingly engage in outdoor activities, conservation and recreation budgets have not accommodated this demand. Participants discussed enlisting local businesses to participate in a “1% for Trails” donation initiative that turns user groups into regular contributors, engaging both locals and visitors. Community involvement can also help people feel ownership of nearby trails and open spaces, leading to more stewardship behaviors. Session Coordinator: Ashlee Sack, Fremont Adventure Recreation Making connections: The role of technology and outdoor recreation This Integrating Research and Community Engagement presentation focused on understanding how technology might be used to enhance sustainable access and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. An area growing in consideration is modernizing outdoor recreation to address changing demographics, notably digital natives, and making technology-based tools as usable as possible. The presentation included an overview of theory, teaching and learning practices, technology platforms, and implications for technology engagement in the outdoors. Session Coordinator: Lincoln Davie, Metropolitan State University of Denver Partnering to Provide Multiple-Use Recreation Areas while Meeting Needs and What are Benefits of Multiple-Use Minimizing Conflict leading to Satisfied Visitors Recreation Areas? Participants discussed how public lands can be  Make new friends designated in a way that confines recreation  Try new activities opportunity. For everyone to benefit from outdoor recreation experiences, we need to  Bring youth together evolve toward a culture of sharing and courtesy.  Lower costs Sustainable design and managing expectations  Increased participation in sharing, safety and & information for our audiences is crucial, management as people truly want to share these spaces;  Serve as examples of excellence sometimes it’s just a matter of understanding  Better conserved natural environment and communication. Session Coordinator: Drew Stoll, Great Outdoors Consultants Partnering with NFWF and NFF to Advance Community Goals The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and National Forest Foundation (NFF) shared information on their programs and the funding needs of nonprofit and community organizations across CO. We need to work together to identify and advance innovative and successful funding opportunities. There is no silver bullet; developing funding to take action will require creativity and persistence. Session Coordinators: Emily Olsen, NFF and Chris West, NFWF 16 �Partnering With Public Health to Enhance the Outdoors for Everyone Many communities across Colorado experience inequity in outdoor opportunity. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment discussed how to use public data to inform Park access. This session encouraged groups to engage with state and local agencies to access public data and shared how to implement relevant information to support priority area #1 of the SCORP. Session Coordinator: Cate Townley, Colorado Department of Public Health What is Public Health? Promote healthy living through policies and programs. Promote physical and behavioral health with an emphasis on health equity. Develop community-specific solutions to address prevention priorities. CMC MOBILE APP • Geo-located Point Data • Drop-down surveys • Photos • Easy for Staff & Trained Volunteers • Custom User Permissions • Dashboards & Reporting Play On, Colorado! The Colorado Lottery and GOCO’s one-of-a-kind Partnership Provides a Steady Stream of Funding for Colorado’s Outdoors. The Colorado Lottery has provided more than $3.2 billion to Colorado’s outdoor recreation, conservation, and wildlife. The primary beneficiary, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), has invested more than $1.2 billion of proceeds in 5,200 conservation and outdoor recreation projects across all 64 counties, helping shape Colorado’s outdoor future. This critical partnership demonstrates something uniquely Colorado and we are fortunate to receive these funds! Session Coordinator: Colin Waters, Colorado Lottery Program Success and Beyond: the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) Committee and CPW staff provided an overview of the program, including conservation successes and information on the 2019 Request for Proposals. CWHP provides funds for conserving wildlife habitat across Colorado and is an important tool for accomplishing CPW’s mission of perpetuating wildlife resources. Looking to the future, presenters discussed how to expand the greater reach of Habitat Stamp dollars to fund on-the-ground habitat conservation and other public access projects. Session Coordinator: Amanda Nims, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Realizing The Potential of the Outdoor Recreation Community to Advance Through Citizen Science The session’s main theme was that citizen science can be a powerful tool that the recreation community can use to advance conservation through citizen science. Presenters shared information on the power of citizen science, including a variety of case studies where citizen science is being used to provide opportunities for recreational users to inform conservation, build a network of informed users who are committed to addressing the impacts of recreation, and facilitate collaboration to ensure recreation access while conserving land, water and wildlife. Session Coordinator: Megan Mueller, Rocky Mountain Wild 17 Recreation Impact Monitoring: A Data Analytics Approach to Land Management This session provided a overview of Colorado Mountain College’s Recreation Impact Monitoring System (RIMS) and mobile app, a program parks will have the opportunity to test this summer. Once RIMS is tested and ready to implement, it will provide more comprehensive visitor use monitoring. This system will help predict impacted areas and influence land management decisions, particularly as the demand for recreation continues to increase. Session Coordinator: Julie Mach, Colorado Mountain Club Reflecting Your Community Within Your Organization Colorado’s population is growing and diversifying; therefore it is crucial organizations seek ways to include all members of their community. This session highlighted ways to involve groups in the outdoors who may historically have felt excluded. Consider identifying the population and demographics your organization would like to attract, as well as the barriers they might face. True inclusivity is making others feel included without having to assimilate. Session Coordinator: Michelle Seubert, Colorado Parks and Wildlife & Shereen Fink, DEI Council of Brighton Save All The Pieces: A New Paradigm in Landscape Scale Conservation This session shared information about the million-acre Roaring Fork Watershed and how it supports important biodiversity. Recommended methods of conservation for areas similar to the Roaring Fork included securing nonpartisan funding to keep data and research unbiased. Participants also discussed the importance of working for the land and not letting jurisdictional borders create real barriers. Process should not get in the way of outcomes; acknowledge why we should work together and invest in each others’ successes. Session Coordinator: Tom Cardamone, Watershed Biodiversity Initiative Session Coordinator: Tom Cardamone, Watershed Biodiversity Initiative Shaping Colorado’s Stewardship Future Participants discussed current events and trends occurring in the field that will shape the future of stewardship of Colorado’s Public Lands. Stewardship is a focus for many organizations and has sparked a variety of new programs, such as the launch of Generation Wild, and Colorado Mountain College adding stewardship to its outdoor program curriculum. We can work together to promote stewardship and build lasting connections between people and nature that leads to a more powerful and sustainable stewardship ethic. Session Coordinator: Anna Zawisza, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado 18 �So You Want To Be an Ally?: Allyship in Support of a More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Space The Next 100 Coalition hosted this session in response to feedback from many organizations who would like to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. They addressed challenges and opportunities and left participants with tangible next steps to move toward more equitable practices in their organizations. The Coalition both shared and modeled good allyship practices and invited participants to discuss their own ideas. Session Coordinator: Kristina Opre, Enviromental Learning for Kids and Next 100 Coalition Social Marketing and Demarketing to Support Advocacy and Management Organizations By applying the skills of de-marketing and social marketing, managers and organizations can promote conservation behavior change. Examples included how to engage audiences and communicate messages via signage or other outlets. Participants discussed case studies from the industry and focused on practical application rather than theory. Session Coordinator: Dr. Scott Borden, Western Colorado University Successful Collaborative Efforts In Outdoor Recreation and Sustainable Tourism Representatives from different entities shared their experiences in developing collaborative partnership structures. Strategies include prioritizing projects and efforts, designing methods and sharing stewardship principles for sustainable tourism, and developing funding mechanisms. Success demands we work together; we must be willing to step out of silos, let go of historic conflicts, and find workable and collaborative solutions. We must understand each community has different pressures and challenges, as well as be flexible and adaptable in efforts and visions. Session Coordinator: John Messner, Gunnison County Take a Walk, Bike, or Boat on the Wild Side: How Wildlife Laws Affect Recreation Management Permit processes are more efficient when people understand relevant legal requirements and work with land and wildlife managers on recreation proposals early in the process. Commit time and energy early in the process to identify potential impacts on wildlife, gather data, and develop ways to address issues. Be familiar with the legal obligations and constraints the permitting agencies work under to expedite an effective process. Session Coordinator: Bob Randall, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell Taking Care of Our Roots: The Culture of Indigenous and Community Stewardship The Children and Nature Network hosted a diverse group of young leaders who shared their experiences and facilitated the session. As the first caretakers of this land, indigenous communities have beliefs and practices that could inspire a stronger, more inclusive SCORP. Session Coordinator: CJ Goulding, Children & Nature Network Unexpected Partnerships and Innovative Initiatives- Engaging the Next Generation of Outdoor Leaders Colorado Mountain Club and Colorado School of Mines partnered via The Wright Outdoor Industry Campus Innovation Challenge to addressinspiring more diverse representation outdoorsto both protect the environment and enhance outdoor user experience. Recognizing issues of overcrowding and systems that do not facilitate growth and sustainability, this non-traditional challenge brings together entrepreneurial problem-solvers from varied backgrounds to address pressing challenges within the outdoor recreation industry. Three areas of focus included, Conservation, Stewardship & Sustainability; Innovative Technologies & Materials.; and Accessibility, Health & Wellness. Session Coordinator: Chuck Sullivan, Something Independent Want to start a Latino Family Outdoor Education Program? This session focused on Cal-Wood Education Center’s successful Latino Family Camp Program. This program, begun in 2014, hosts 16 camps per year reaching over 800 family members. Cal-Wood invited others to start a program of their own and shared their best practices to ensure success. Session Coordinator: Rafael Salgado, Cal-Wood Education Center Whose Land is it Anyway: Underrepresented Stories from the State We All Love This story-based session acknowledged listening to and respecting others’ stories, particularly those from the people who came before us. Attendees discussed how understanding the diversity of past and present experiences on the lands we share can help inform meaningful conservation and access for all. Session Coordinator: Mallory Huggins, Keystone Policy Center and Next 100 Colaition You are a Natural Resources Career Influencer! Career influencers provide opportunities, education, and training to support career development for youth, from early childhood to young adults. This session provided strategies for engaging all ages in the Natural Resources Career Field, such as including career conversations when teaching, offering job-shadowing opportunities, reducing barriers for entry level jobs, increasing access to information, and leadingor attending environmental stewardship programs. Session Coordinator: Katie Navin, Colorado Alliance for Enviromental Education 19 Land Management Agencies Youth Serving Non-Profits Stewardship and Volunteer Organizations Outdoor Recreation Professionals 20 Environmental and Outdoor Educators Who are Career Influencers? And More �2019 Grant Recipients • • • • • • • • • • • Friends of Roxborough: Roxborough State Park is the first park in Colorado to achieve the Leave No Trace GoldStandard recognition. Roxborough is a leader in teaching Leave No Trace principles and mitigating other impacts of recreation in the park, such as social trail use. This grant allows Roxborough to create a toolkit for other state parks wanting to mplement Leave No Trace; for example, Castlewood Canyon State Park is working with Roxborough to implement and gain the Gold Standard recognition by the end of 2019. Groundwork Denver: Groundwork Denver is a youth-serving organization that works in Denver’s low-income areas to provide job training and leadership and other skills development. Groundwork Denver will use this grant to partner with Mile High Youth Corps to provide youth an outdoor service learning experience at Lincoln Hills Cares. The participants will learn about outdoor sustainable food sources (e.g. hydroponic farms), natural resource management, water stewardship, and civic engagement. JeffCo Open Space: Jefferson County Human Services caseworkers created the Jeffco Outdoor Adventure Club to provide experiences in the outdoors for children from troubled homes, with the ultimate goal of inspiring lifelong positive relationships with nature, adult role models, and authority figures. The program has grown provide fishing opportunities and gear; educational opportunities, such as Jeffco history and forest and water health; and an introduction to career opportunities. This grant will support volunteer caseworkers leading hikes and help provide gear, such as backpacks, ponchos, lunches, journals and other equipment. Lincoln Hills Cares: Lincoln Hills Cares is one of the first vacation resorts west of the Mississippi that opened to African-Americans. Today, Lincoln Hills stays true to its roots and continues to provide opportunities for those who may face economic or social barriers. This grant allows Lincoln Hills Cares to provide educational and career development for high school students, college freshmen, and upper year college students. Metro Denver Nature Alliance: Metro Denver Nature Alliance (MDNA) is working with Southwest Denver Coalition to bring Safe Summer Kick-Off days. The region around Southwest Denver is under-served and underinvested in, leading to crime, lack of safe school routes, and insufficient parks and recreation infrastructure. Safe Summer Kick-Off Days will reach more than 5,000 members of the community and provide outreach materials, msuch as fishing poles, maps, and printed guides/fliers in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, the third most common language in Southwest Denver. The Trust for Public Land: The Trust for Public Land is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to protect the 30 square mile property surrounding Fishers Peak in Trinidad. Before opening to the public, they need to complete ecological and economic benefits studies. Other considerations include engaging the local community in planning and political outreach. When open for recreation, the property will offer hiking, biking, fishing, camping, climbing, and snowshoeing. 2018 Check out a few of our • Cal-Wood Education Center: Is working to advance work for their Latino Family Camp program. Cal-Wood engages low-income Latino families to grow and diversify the community of Coloradans that support natural resource protection and stewardship. They will use grant funds to support an expansion of the program to help other organizations across the state implement a similar Latino Family Camp program of their own. Climbers for Bat Conservation, Colorado State University, Colorado Natural Heritage Program: Climbers for Bat Conservation (CBC) is a climber-led program to better understand and conserve bat populations through building a network of climbers, land managers and biologists. The CBC project supports continent-wide conservation goals by identifying natural roosting habitats, identify areas where conservation is most needed, and monitor bat populations for threats like white-nose syndrome. Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust: Each year, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust presents The Leopold Conservation Award to Private Land Owners who have performed outstanding work in land conservation. They will use funds to host a Ranch Field Day, utilizing the experience and knowledge from those who have practiced conservation for many years to inspire and extend information to land owners interested in furthering their conservation efforts. Colorado Mountain Club: The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) has developed a Recreation Impact Monitoring System (RIMS) that collects and analyzes data on trail maintenance needs, dispersed campsite proliferation, and visitor use. CMC will use grant funds to train and deploy the RIMS to over 20 organizations for help testing the system. Colorado Outdoor Health Collaborative: The CO Outdoor Health Collaborative is working to advance statewide awareness, accessibility, and effectiveness of outdoor recreation health advocacy programs, such as ParkRx, NatureRX and RecRx. Grant funding will help improve health in nature by working across healthcare, insurance, recreation, and stewardship sectors, resulting in long-term professional and civic stewards of the great outdoors. Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA): COPMOBA is working with the Bureau of Land Management to complete 7.5 miles of non-motorized trails in the Buzzard Gulch Trail System. This trail is designed for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and trail runners, and will include the relocation of the Spring Canyon Trailhead to alleviate traffic congestion near private homes and accommodate increased usage. Crested Butte Land Trust: Crested Butte Land Trust’s Slate River Working Group is addressing management issues between recreation, private property and natural resource protection entities, as the great blue heron colony on the Slate River is being impacted by the river’s growing use. This grant will fund a study to observe and document the herons’ life history, breeding phenology, population demography, and responses to human activities. grant recipients... • Through our Partners in the Outdoors efforts, we were able to give out $60,000 in grants this year to the following organizations. Since the inception of the conference we have given out over $180,000 in grants. Colorado Outward Bound School Outdoor Buddies 21 Crested Butte Land Trust Pheasants Forever Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 22 Trips for Kids �Planning Committee Interested in becoming part of this team next year? Email Dan Zimmerer at daniel.zimmerer@state.co.us Thank you for your time, effort and dedication to our Partners in the Outdoors effort. Susan Alden Weingardt US Forest Service Lenore Bates Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways, CDOT Colorado Outdoor Partnership Join the Colorado Outdoor Partnership and adopt Colorado’s Outdoor Principles. Mary Ann Bonnell Jefferson Country Open Space Colorado’s Outdoor Principles These principles help Shape How we Invest For Tomorrow (SHIFT). They are based on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and represent an effort to further refine an outdoor ethic that promotes both recreational enjoyment and thoughtful conservation of Colorado’s special places. Scott Braden Conservation Colorado Meredith Burke Garfield County Outdoors, Natural Leaders Network Dan Gates Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management Katalina Garcia 1. Public Lands - Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access, and cared for properly. More detailed information can be found at: copartnership.org/colorado-outdoor-principles Colorado State Youth Council and Natural Leaders Network Erik Glenn Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust 2. Private Lands - Within Colorado’s diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences. We invite you to sign on to adopt the Colorado Outdoor Principles, which can be found on the CO-OP web page. Jessica Godinez US Forest Service and Hispanic Access Foundation 3. Working Together - Both recreation and conservation are needed to sustain Colorado’s quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health, and for sustaining Colorado’s natural resources. CJ Goulding Children and Nature Network Matt Gray Rocky Mountain Innovation Lab and Friends of CO State Parks David Leinweber 4. Minimize Impact - All recreation has impact. Coloradans have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior. Anglers Covey and Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance Erika Meyer Great Outdoors Colorado Katie Navin 5. Management and Education - Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water and wildlife, and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities. Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Len Necefer Natives Outdoors Emily Orbanek Great Outdoors Colorado Ashley Perillo 6. Science-based Decisions - Physical, biological and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation. Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Jack Placchi Bureau of Land Management 7. Stable Funding - Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation. Dean Titterington Pheasants Forever CPW Staff: Jennifer Anderson, Jeff Thompson, Howard Horton, Carley Engfer and Dan Zimmerer 23 24 �C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Colorado Outdoor Recreation Economy C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Colorado Outdoor Recreation Colorado Outdoor Recreation Economy www.coloradoscorp.org coloradoscorp.org 92% OF COLORADANS RECREATE OUTDOORS 64% OF COLORADANS USE LOCAL PARKS, OPEN SPACE, OR TRAILS ONE OR MORE TIMES EVERY WEEK A 511,000 JOBS 10% GDP $9B $21B STATE, LOCAL & FEDERAL TAX WAGES & SALARIES TOTAL ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION O $62B ver the past 5 years, the economic contribution of outdoor recreation in Colorado nearly doubled. Jobs in this sector grew by Outdoor Activity Participation lmost all Coloradans recreate outdoors. The most popular activities are walking and hiking followed by picnicking, camping and fishing. CONSUMER SPENDING Industry Contributions to GDP (in billions) $37B 63% Jobs Supported by Region (in thousands) Wages & salaries in this sector increased by 75% 63% Findings are based on The 2017 Economic Contributions of Outdoor Recreation in Colorado report by Southwick Associates. The level of participation and activity days are based on a 2018 CPW study that surveyed 7,000 Coloradans. Learn more at Coloradoscorp.org. Figures differ from the Outdoor Industry Association whose reporting focuses on backcountry outdoor recreation. These findings include contributions of all outdoor recreation, including local community activities such as walking on neighborhood trails, visiting a playground, and playing in team sports. Outdoor Recreation 75% Wages �Colorado is home to 41 state parks, more than 310 state wildlife areas, 39,000 miles of trails and over 23 million acres of public lands to roam free. This land is your land, we’re all the caretakers. livelifeoutside.co © MIKE DELLIVENERI/CPW Our common ground � https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/ac66e36c6312abaf2dff151a85a9aa06.pdf 6dd6f87c6b3523b16d8b75d7d4dc694b PDF Text Text C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Post-Conference Report 2020 PARTNERS IN THE OUTDOORS CONFERENCE �Partners in the Outdoors Dear Partners in the Outdoors Conference Attendees, Things were a little different this year. We didn’t get to share stories in the hallways, shake hands while networking, or spend three days together in Vail. Rather, many of us found ourselves working from home, staying six feet apart, and learning to use a variety of virtual platforms. However, the current situation presented new opportunities and allowed us to extend our reach beyond the physical walls of a conference venue. The Partners in the Outdoors community met via Zoom over the course of eight weeks as we participated in webinars and listened to podcast and video messages from our own homes. We engaged in meaningful conversations in breakout rooms and chat boxes, and learned valuable lessons from our many partner-led session presentations. We also expanded our community to include new faces and new organizations reaching 1,265 individuals representing over 375 different organizations in Colorado and beyond! Our 21 webinars explored the conference theme and guiding question: How can we find common ground as we work to explore the complicated relationship between outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado? The powerful messages presented by our keynote speakers Dan Prenzlow, Rachel VandeVoort and Gabe Vasquez demonstrated points of success in balancing conservation and recreation and making the outdoors accessible to all people, while challenging our community to do more. While this year’s conference was like never before, it reinforced that the collaboration between organizations and the relationships built are integral aspects of our shared work. The Partners in the Outdoors program would like to extend a big thank you to our many sponsors, presenters, planning committee members, and attendees for their support and efforts to make the virtual program a success! I’d also like to recognize our Partner of the Year Award recipients who are doing outstanding work to advance the priority areas identified in Colorado’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. So what does the future look like? We hope to be able to meet in-person, but will be planning accordingly with everyone’s health and safety as our top priorities. Please save the date for next year’s conference, April 19-21 in Vail, and stay tuned for further announcements on the 2021 conference. We will again look to you, our partners, to provide top-notch, actionable sessions that help ensure the Colorado we know and love today endures for future generations. Sincerely, Dan Zimmerer Statewide Partnership Coordinator Colorado Parks and Wildlife Dan Zimmerer 1 �Thank You Sponsors! Platinum Audio/Visual Gold Silver Contributing 2 �Colorado’s SCORP For more information, including the full report, see coloradoscorp.org Working Together to Advance the Priority Areas in our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Objective I: Break Down Barriers - Better understand and address barriers to engaging people in outdoor recreation. Enhance efforts to engage Coloradans who currently lack or have limited opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation. Objective II: Technology Connects More People to the Outdoors Advance easily accessible information that enhances user experience and offers tools to outdoor recreation providers. Objective III: Private and Public Lands Support Outdoor Recreation - Develop strategies across Colorado to build support for sustainable outdoor recreation access. Advance Colorado the Beautiful vision that every Coloradan will live within 10 minutes of a park, trail or vibrant green space. Objective I: Build an Outdoor Stewardship Ethic - Foster awareness and experiences that build an ethic of stewardship and responsibility to care for natural and cultural resources and outdoor recreation infrastructure. Objective II: Enhance Stewardship Capacity Increase capacity of outdoor recreation providers, stewardship organizations and agencies to engage volunteers, employ youth and young adults, and enhance other types of support for on-the-ground, action-oriented stewardship activities. Objective I: Advance Landscape-scale Conservation - Work across jurisdictional and land ownership boundaries to plan for wildlife and natural resource conservation along with the growing demand for recreation access. Collaborate to tackle pressing and emerging issues and to identify and safeguard important areas for conservation, working lands and recreation access across the state. Objective II: Address Recreation Impacts Proactively manage visitors and maintain infrastructure to provide positive outdoor recreation experiences while limiting resource impacts. Utilize best practices when developing new trails or other outdoor infrastructure. Objective I: Build Support for Conservation Funding Raise political and public awareness for the value of Colorado’s outdoors to Coloradans’ quality of life, economic prosperity, heritage and public and environmental health so that more people contribute funds to support outdoor recreation and conservation. Objective II: Diversify and Expand Funding Source(s) - Identify and pursue new funds available to organizations and management agencies that directly benefits outdoor recreation and conservation of natural resources. 3 �Welcome Address Listen to the welcome address from Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “How often can we combine the agriculture community, the recreation community, the conservation community, the wildlife advocates, the outfitters? All those different folks that come together to collaborate on big picture challenges in the state of Colorado. Stewardship of our natural resources is not just for one entity to take on alone. We all have to work together. Thank you to all our partners for working together on this!” 4 �Keynote Speakers Keynote Speakers on Mountain & Prairie Podcast Thanks to our partnership with Mountain & Prairie, and host Ed Roberson, we are pleased to bring you podcast interviews with our Keynote Speakers. 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. Podcast interviews featured Dan Prenzlow, Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Rachel VandeVoort, Director of Montana’s Office of Outdoor Recreation; and Gabe Vasquez, Founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project. Episodes can be found on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher by searching for Mountain & Prairie, or on Mountain & Prairie’s website. 5 �Keynote Speaker: Dan Prenzlow Dan Prenzlow is the Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Dan started with the agency back in 1986 as a District Wildlife Manager and steadily worked his way through the ranks, assuming the role of Director in the spring of 2019. Born and raised in Colorado, Dan has had a lifelong love of recreating in the state’s open spaces and wild places, and he has devoted his entire career toward protecting and managing them for the benefit of present and future generations. Dan and host Ed Roberson spend the first half of the conversation discussing some of the specifics around CPW—the organization’s history, the success of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, CPW’s important role in private land conservation, and CPW’s role as a national leader in balancing conservation and recreation. During the second half of the conversation, they discuss Dan’s personal backstory—why he decided to pursue public service as a career, his family’s long history of service-minded work, and how he worked his way up to the role of Director. Dan also shares many valuable leadership lessons, including the importance of humility, empathy, and surrounding yourself with a strong team. Listen to the podcast episode. “Coloradans have a rich outdoor heritage that involves living life outside and coexisting with wildlife in their natural habitats. As our populations increase and more people are getting outdoors than ever before, we have to proactively think about our impacts on natural resources and state lands. These resources are the foundation of our strong economy and deserve our collaboration and investment.” 6 �Keynote Speaker: Rachel VandeVoort Rachel VandeVoort is the Director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation, an office that advocates for the outdoor recreation industry and works to leverage its numerous benefits to the state. The office was created in 2016 by Montana’s Governor who quickly tapped Rachel to be its first director. Since then, the office has experienced amazing growth in influence and effectiveness, and it has served as a shining example for other states. A native Montanan, Rachel grew up working for her family’s river guiding business in and around Whitefish, MT and also spent time as a fishing guide. After graduating from the University of Montana, she worked in a wide variety of industries that are closely connected with land and recreation, including organic farming, skiing, and firearms manufacturing. Rachel and host Ed Roberson discuss the history of Rachel’s job, the staggering positive economic impacts of the outdoor industry, and ideas around funding conservation through recreation now and into the future. Rachel shares some thoughts on finding common ground among competing stakeholders, the importance of understanding history in the West, and the collaborative nature of the outdoor recreation industry. Listen to the podcast episode. “Whether it’s the ski industry, guns, fly fishing, rafting, we’re all a part of the same thing and we all rely on the same thing to do what we’re doing...If we can elevate that conversation and really look at this from one community, that is where we can have an impact that affects all of us in a positive way.” 7 �Keynote Speaker: Gabe Vasquez Gabe Vasquez is the founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and currently serves as a city councilor in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Gabe has devoted his entire career to advocacy and conservation, specifically for the people and places in the border region of New Mexico. He’s worked for Senator Martin Heinrich, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and recently drafted New Mexico’s Outdoor Equity Fund legislation, which was the first of its kind in the nation. Growing up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Gabe developed a childhood passion for the outdoors while fishing with his father and learning about hunting from his grandfather. Gabe has made it his mission to ensure that people of all socio-economic backgrounds and races can enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully, become advocates for protecting our country’s wild places. Gabe and host Ed Roberson chatted about the formation of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, and the history and mission of the organization. Gabe then discussed lessons learned from his time working with Senator Heinrich, and how a brief stint living and working in Washington DC solidified his love for the West. They discuss New Mexico’s Outdoor Equity Fund, and how Gabe played a significant role in creating this historic and cutting-edge, public-private program. They talk in-depth about the importance of getting kids into the outdoors, and the idea of how people need to fall in love with the outdoors before they can advocate for it. Listen to the podcast episode. “Public lands aren’t important until everyone gets to enjoy them.” 8 �Thank You Platinum and Audio/Visual Sponsors! Partners in the Outdoors is still on Attendify! All webinars were recorded and are posted on Attendify! Check out the sessions you may have missed or would like to revisit. 9 1. Search “Attendify” in the App Store or Google Play Store 2. Create a login and search “Partners in the Outdoors 2020” 3. Find webinar recordings on the schedule tab �Partner Awards Colorado Parks and Wildlife recognizes organizations that are doing integral work to advance and balance conservation and recreation in Colorado. We present these awards to those who display outstanding efforts in support of Colorado’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), and Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) Strategic Plan. This year we presented our Partner of the Year Awards via a virtual ceremony. Congratulations to this year’s winners! Statewide Partner of the Year Children & Nature Network, Natural Leaders Initiative The Children and Nature Network’s (C&NN) Natural Leaders Initiative has been instrumental in CPW’s ability to build the leadership capacity and engagement of young diverse leaders in Colorado. Through a multi-year partnership, C&NN has served as a strategic partner regarding youth engagement at our Partners in the Outdoors Conference. They have provided professional development and leadership to allow cohorts of youth to connect with professionals in the outdoor and natural resource management industry in meaningful ways. The nominees included: • • • • • • • • • • Big Thompson Watershed Coalition Chatfield Reservoir Mitigation Company Colorado Marine Dealers Association Colorado Springs Utilities Friends of Roxborough State Park 10 Girl Scouts of Colorado Lake City Friends of the Bears Outdoor Buddies Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance Summit County Safe Passages �Statewide Partner Collaboration of the Year Great Outdoors Colorado, The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, The City of Trinidad, Colorado Parks and Wildlife As you cross into Colorado from New Mexico on I-25, one of the first things you see is Fishers Peak. This iconic mountain is located on a 30-square-mile property just outside the City of Trinidad and is the symbol of the community. Thanks to a unique partnership among Great Outdoors Colorado, The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, the City of Trinidad and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this property will become Colorado’s next state park thus providing public access while protecting it for future generations. The nominees included: • Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Black Canyon Audubon, Friends of Ridgway State Park • Buckhorn Valley Metro District, Trout Unlimited, Eagle River Watershed Council • Colorado Springs Utilities, City of Aurora, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Arkansas River Outfitters Association, American Whitewater, Colorado Whitewater, Colorado Parks and Wildlife 11 �Northwest Region Partner of the Year Summit County Safe Passages Summit County Safe Passages is a diverse, community-based collaboration working toward a vision of balancing wildlife needs with a growing human population that lives, travels and recreates in Summit County. The team is working towards creating safe passage for both wildlife and people along our roadways by identifying key movement corridors for wildlife and prioritizing safety for motorists. The community support behind this partnership reflects a shared passion to conserve our wildlife and create safer highways for all. The nominees included: • Buckhorn Valley Metro District • Glas Deffryn Ranch • Steamboat Art Museum • VanWinkle Ranch Northeast Region Partner of the Year Big Thompson Watershed Coalition Since the floods of 2013 the Big Thompson Watershed Coalition has been not only an invaluable partner to CPW in stream restoration and riparian health but has been a true community leader bringing together essential stakeholders to care for and improve the natural resources of the watershed. These stakeholders include municipal water suppliers, agricultural producers, habitat advocates, and government agencies who have successfully worked together to plan and fund several river projects. 12 The nominees included: • Chatfield Reservoir Mitigation Company • Environmental Learning for Kids • Friends of Roxborough State Park • The Clinton Family Fund �Southwest Region Partner of the Year Durango Wildlife Volunteers This organized group of volunteers has continually partnered with CPW to educate over 250,000 visitors at CPW’s Wildlife Museum in Durango about Colorado’s wildlife and ecosystems. The Durango Wildlife Museum Volunteers provide a public service and outreach that would not be possible with staff time and resources, making it an essential natural resource education program for CPW. The volunteers provide exceptional customer service and have recorded over 14,000 volunteer hours, equivalent to 6.7 full time employees. The nominees included: • Bird Conservancy of the Rockies • Garvey Brothers Outfitters • Lake City Friends of the Bears Southeast Region Partner of the Year Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) is a collaborative of businesses, non-profits, and government agencies who recognize the value of our region’s incredible natural and recreational resources to our community, both as an economic driver and for our health and wellbeing. PPORA is led by a Board and Advisory Council consisting of outdoor industry and community leaders. Their goal is to shape the future of outdoor recreation in the Pikes Peak Region so that the region is known as THE place for outdoor recreation. 13 The nominees included: • Chaffee County • Colorado Springs Utilities • Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park �Thank You Gold Level Sponsors! 14 �Session Summaries Understanding Trail Users’ Needs and Behaviors in a COVID-19 World The world has shifted, and with it so have the needs and expectations of trail users when seeking information, and the needs of land managers in communicating information. Listen to this discussion about the results of recent surveys conducted by Leave No Trace surrounding changing trail user needs and behaviors, and how we can address these emerging needs using technology like COTREX’s new Land Manager Dashboard and other best practices. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Alex Alma - Colorado Department of Natural Resources Speakers: Ben Lawhon - Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, Joe O’Brien Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Kristin Powell - City of Fort Collins Natural Areas How Might We Plan Trails and Protect Wildlife? How can recreation enthusiasts design trails that do not harm the well-being of wildlife? Colorado Parks and Wildlife is currently leading a task force of stakeholders from several agencies to review and rewrite the “Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind” document from the late 90s, and we need your help to ensure that we’re including key best practices. Listen to this session to hear updates about the project and to contribute your voice. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Fletcher Jacobs - Colorado Parks and Wildlife Speakers: Matt Gray - Rocky Mountain Innovation Lab, Kris Middledorf - Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Jack Placchi - Bureau of Land Management, Amy Schwarzbach - City of Durango An Idea Worth Sharing, A Mission Worth Joining If there ever was a time to be outdoors, it’s now. Whether you’re from a nonprofit, government entity, or business, learn how you can join in on an idea that’s changing the future for an entire generation of Colorado kids. Generation Wild, an innovative movement launched by Great Outdoors Colorado to connect youth and families to the outdoors, shared inspiring new messaging to rally us together and lift us up during these times. Listen to this session to hear how Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is driving the movement, inspiring the next generation of stewards, and helping Coloradans protect our treasured outdoor spaces. Leave with your own fresh messaging ideas and actionable ways to join the movement. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Rosemary Dempsey - Great Outdoors Colorado Speakers: Jackie Miller - Great Outdoors Colorado, Mike Sukle - Sukle Advertising & Design, Anna Zawisza - Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado 15 �Creating Pathways to Natural Resource Careers: By Youth and For Youth How can we build youth awareness of the variety of opportunities to build a career in Natural Resources? Ask young people! Learn from Youth Advisory Council members and partners on their work designing a new resource for high school students to explore natural resource careers. Learn more about the ideas generated and add your input and ideas for how natural resource employers, youth outdoor programs, and more can use this resource. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Katie Navin - Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Speakers: Lisa Eadens - Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, Scott Segerstrom Colorado Youth Corps Association Get Colorado Kids Outside: Policies for Youth Outdoor Engagement Learn about and contribute to policy ideas that support the next generation of Coloradans’ connection to the outdoors. We shared and discussed policy ideas that are in the works in Colorado, including those that support equitable access, encourage outdoor activities in and out of school, and strengthen environmental education. This session also shared ideas from the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook and inspiring state policies ideas from other states. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Robyn Paulekas - Meridian Institute Speakers: Noé Orgaz - Conservation Colorado, Tony Lewis - Donnell-Kay Foundation, Katie Navin - Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Mean(ingful) Tweets: Public Lands Edition Rogue Open Space Parks, Fat Bear Week...Social Media has our attention! How can we translate our personal relationship with these channels into that of a land agency? With over 1M social media impressions annually, JeffCo Communications and Ranger Teams offered ideas about harnessing the power of social media for good. Share ideas for engaging a bigger, more diverse audience through lessons learned and enjoy some mean tweets along the way. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Shaina Young Jefferson County Open Space Speakers: Mary Ann Bonnell - Jefferson County Open Space, Shaun Howard - 16 �Working with Tribes: A Framework for Building Productive and Respectful Relationships This session provided a deeper and nuanced understanding of best practices for working with tribes including the role of history, trust building, protocols for respect and community, and tribal sovereignty. Whether you represent a non-profit organization, a business, or a governmental agency, you will find this session valuable if you are looking at building working and productive relationships with tribes. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Len Necefer - Natives Outdoors RIMS Mobile App: Year 1 Data and Analytics on Recreation & Impact Monitoring The Colorado Mountain Club RIMS mobile app allows volunteers and land managers to collect data on trail infrastructure, camping impacts, and visitor use on public lands. With a year’s worth of data and lessons learned, we shared compelling metrics as we continue to refine and customize our analytics and reporting capabilities. Check out the new features we are releasing in 2020 and find out how your organization can get involved. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Julie Mach - Colorado Mountain Club Speakers: Norman Reitter - CANA Advisors and CANA Foundation Envision Recreation in Balance: Community-Driven Solutions to Manage Recreation Growth in Balance with Healthy Forests, Waters and Wildlife Envision Recreation in Balance is developing community solutions to manage recreation growth and sustain healthy forests; waters, wildlife and working lands; exceptional experiences; and a recreation-driven economy. Learn about transferable approaches: Envision engagement, the Common Ground county tax, a Recreation Impact Monitoring App, Recreation Atlas, Rapid Response projects, and a developing community recreation plan. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Cindy Williams - Envision Chaffee County and Chaffee County Common Ground Fund Speakers: Ben Lara - United States Forest Service, Dominique Naccarato - Greater Arkansas River Nature Association 17 �Hunting for Sustainability: Recruiting A New Generation of Conservation Minded Hunters Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) discussed their Hunting for Sustainability Program and highlighted a recent weekend seminar that introduced 12 participants, ranging from CPW Commissioners and college students, to our hunting heritage. This session highlighted how BHA successfully engages diverse groups of people, spurring a new generation of conservation-minded hunters by emphasizing integral partnerships, volunteers, and sponsors. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Brien Webster - Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Speakers: Taishya ​​​Adams - Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Leslie Kaminski - Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Eden Vardy - Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Gabby Zaldumbide - Wildlife Management Institute, Adam Gall - Timber to Table Guide Service, Andrew Taylor - Colorado Parks and Wildlife Increase Your Organization’s Impact through AmeriCorps AmeriCorps provides people power to organizations that address community needs throughout Colorado. This session provided an overview of AmeriCorps and engaged participants in finding ways to get involved in national service. Hear from current AmeriCorps programs and learn about how AmeriCorps could support your communitybased work. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Sarah Lyke - AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Speakers: Danny Fisher - Serve Colorado, Courtney Geib - Corporation for National and Community Service, Brandon Watkins - Colorado Youth Corps Association What Has Private Land Conservation Done For You Lately? Success Stories of Land Trust Partnerships and Public Benefits From holding conservation easements on public open space to assisting with land acquisitions to providing environmental education programs to increasing public access on private property, Colorado’s land trust community is working hard to increase conservation efforts that benefit everyone. This panel discussion explored successful partnerships with land trusts across the state that have resulted in public and private land conservation meaning more public benefit. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Melissa Daruna - Keep It Colorado Speakers: Libby Collins - Colorado West Land Trust, Noel Durant - Crested Butte Land Trust, Jessica Foulis - Eagle Valley Land Trust, Dave Erickson - Aspen Valley Land Trust 18 �Best Practices for Partnering with Land Managers To Develop New Recreation Opportunities Public land managers want to be responsive to proposals from local partners, user groups, and communities for new trails, facilities, and opportunities, but are also responsible for making sure projects adhere to laws, regulations, and policies. These include the National Environmental and Policy Act, Tribal Consultations, and Resource Management Plan decisions. They must also take into account long term maintenance plans, cultural resources requirements, timelines, impacts to grazing allotments, budget realities, and other mandated reviews for analysis. Learn best practices for partnering with land managers in this session. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Jack Placchi - Bureau of Land Management Speakers: Pete Baier - Mesa County, Bob Morris Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Chris Pipkin - Bureau of Land Management, Scott Winans - Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association Diversifying Community Engagement in Conservation Through Film This session explored the use of film in engaging diverse user groups and communities in conservation and climate change issues through a film screening and panel discussion. Two of Hispanic Access Foundation’s recent films, I Am Cheo and Leche Y Miel, were played. In response to the films, a panel featuring experts discussed the Colorado Water Plan, wildfire, climate change, and Latino engagement in these issues, and was facilitated by Hispanic Access Foundation staff. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Jessica Godinez - Hispanic Access Foundation Speakers: Shley Suarez-Burgos - Filmmaker, Noé Orgaz - Conservation Colorado, Fay Hartman - Colorado River Basin Program American Rivers What the Rx is going on in Colorado?!? Inspired by the Park Rx movement, colleagues from inter-disciplinary organizations asked the questions: What’s going on in CO in regards to prescription for parks, recreation, outdoors, nature, trails, and open space programs? What would happen if we tried to convene as many people as we could working in this space? Hear the results of our first convening in November 2019. We don’t promise all the answers, but listen to this session for a lively and interactive conversation. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Jo Burns - Colorado Public Health/Parks & Recreation Collaborative Speakers: Patsy McEntee - National Park Service, Dana Coelho - Metro Denver Nature Alliance, Cate Townley - Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 19 �Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships - Join the Conversation! CPW, DNR, and members of the Colorado Outdoor Partnership (COOP) presented a concept for a new statewide initiative to support and encourage locally-driven collaborative solutions for ensuring that Colorado’s lands and waters thrive, while providing opportunities for all Coloradans to enjoy the outdoors. To do this, partners are exploring the development of Outdoor Regional Partnerships around the state in a manner that supports existing coalitions. CPW is also considering how this initiative could support the development of a future statewide conservation and recreation plan (SCORP). Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Jody Kennedy - Colorado Parks and Wildlife Speakers: Carlos Fernandez - The Nature Conservancy, Kevin Alexander - Western Colorado University, Becky Leinweber - Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, Doug Vilsack - Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Ann Baker Easley - Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Dan Prenzlow - Colorado Parks and Wildlife No Occupation without Representation: Creating an Inclusive Workforce Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the National Park Service (NPS) are striving to better represent the public that they serve by diversifying their workforce. During this presentation, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) and NPS highlighted the Urban Ranger program and how it is addressing the challenges associated with the task of recruiting and retaining a workforce that best represents the communities that we serve. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Taylor Ruffin - Environmental Learning for Kids Speaker: Nizhooni Hurd - Environmental Learning for Kids GOCO 2020 Strategic Plan GOCO is pleased to present its 2020 Strategic Plan to the Partners in the Outdoors audience. This plan will guide strategy for the next five years and beyond and will serve as a compass for GOCO to authentically engage communities and partners throughout Colorado. Learn about the strategy as well as plans for a Community Resiliency Program that GOCO partners can turn to given COVID-19 impacts. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Emily Orbanek Great Outdoors Colorado Speakers: Chris Castilian - Great Outdoors Colorado, Jackie Miller - Great Outdoors Colorado 20 �CODEX- a New Tool for Conservation and Planning in Colorado With CPW and many other partners, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is launching an interactive mapping website called the Colorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX). The CODEX provides easy access to natural resources data, supporting decisions on projects including conservation easements, development, and trail planning, leading to better decisions that incorporate impacts on natural resources. Users can make maps and create project-specific reports. Listen to this session to learn more about CODEX. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: David Anderson - Colorado Natural Heritage Program Speakers: Michael Menefee - Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Erik Glenn - Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, Matt Schulz - Colorado Parks and Wildlife Conflict to Collaboration: Lessons from Climbers & Tribes from the Bears Ears National Monument Tribes and climbers have historically been two stakeholder groups who have come into conflict over the management of federal public lands, resulting in lawsuits, impacts on cultural sites, and closures of climbing areas. However, the lead up to the designation of the former Bears Ears National Monument led tribes and climbers to bridge divides to work toward common cause. This session explored how these differences were bridged and provided lessons for Colorado. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: Aaron Mike - Access Fund Speakers: Len Necefer - Natives Outdoors, Erik Murdock - Access Fund No More Volunteering as Tribute Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) engages an impressive 6,000 volunteers annually to support conservation. We also have an opportunity to more closely reflect on the diversity of Colorado and national communities, and better understand cultural perspectives of the concept of “volunteering.” In this session, attendees actively created a holistic narrative of service, community, and the outdoors while being involved in research that CPW will use to inform future volunteering practices. Watch the recorded webinar. Session Coordinator: CJ Goulding - Children & Nature Network Speaker: Becky Mares - Colorado Parks and Wildlife 21 �Thank You Silver and Contributing Sponsors! 22 �Planning Committee Interested in becoming part of this team next year? Email Dan Zimmerer at daniel.zimmerer@state.co.us Aaron Mike Natives Outdoors Ashley Perillo Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Beau Kiklis Thank you for your time, effort, and dedication to our Partners in the Outdoors effort. Conservation Colorado CJ Goulding Children and Nature Network David Leinweber Angler’s Covey Dean Titterington Pheasants Forever Erika Meyer Great Outdoors Colorado Jack Placchi Bureau of Land Management Jayne Thompson Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust Jessica Godinez Hispanic Access Foundation​ Katie Navin Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Krista Muddle National Park Service Lenore Bates Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways, CDOT Mary Ann Bonnell Jefferson County Open Space Matt Gray Rocky Mountain Innovation Lab Meredith Burke Garfield County Outdoors Rachel Franchina US Forest Service Samantha Albert Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Sherry Fountain US Forest Service Susan Alden Weingardt US Forest Service Willie Kalaskie National Wild Turkey Federation CPW Staff: Jennifer Anderson, Jeff Thompson, Howard Horton, Lucy O’Sullivan, and Dan Zimmerer 23 �Colorado Outdoor Partnership Join the Colorado Outdoor Partnership and adopt Colorado’s Outdoor Principles. These principles are based on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and represent an effort to further refine an outdoor ethic that promotes both recreational enjoyment and thoughtful conservation of Colorado’s special places. We invite your organization to sign on to adopt the Colorado Outdoor Principles. Colorado’s Outdoor Principles 1. Public Lands - Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access, and cared for properly. 2. Private Lands - Within Colorado’s diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences. More detailed information can be found on the Colorado Outdoor Partnershp’s (CO-OP) web page. 3. Working Together - Both recreation and conservation are needed to sustain Colorado’s quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health, and for sustaining Colorado’s natural resources. 4. Minimize Impact - All recreation has impact. Coloradans have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior. 5. Management and Education - Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water and wildlife, and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities. 6. Science-based Decisions - Physical, biological and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation. 7. Stable Funding - Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation. 24 �� https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/5078f688758689a04d180d7d2ae48510.pdf 37e886af22d4c69f486aced32d109ed5 PDF Text Text w C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Post-Conference Report 2021 PARTNERS IN THE OUTDOORS CONFERENCE 2021 PARTNERS IN THE OUTDOORS CONFERENCE Photo: @CaptureTheAction Page 1 �Partners in the Outdoors Dear Partners in the Outdoors Conference Community, Things were a little different this year... again. We didn’t have the pleasure of meeting in person to network and build relationships in a face to face setting. However, as we learned last year, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to extend our reach beyond the physical walls of a conference venue. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), with the advice of the many partners serving on our conference planning committee (see page 14), determined that it would be best to host a scaled back virtual conference to address zoom fatigue and the saturated market of webinars that we are all experiencing. Accordingly, the conference agenda included a total of just nine virtual events. However, each of these events were timely and relevant to the outdoor and natural resource management industries in Colorado. I am pleased to report that we have continued our growth trajectory with over 2,250 people participating in our conference representing nearly 400 organizations! This includes the 950 people who attended our sessions live and another 1,300 views of our conference recordings. We kicked things off in late April with two nationally renowned keynote speakers, Eduardo Garcia and Dr. J. Drew Lanham, who shared their inspiring stories related to their lives and careers in the outdoors. We then hosted a series of partner and CPW led sessions that supported the priority areas identified in our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Finally we wrapped things up with a special closing keynote panel session featuring Governor Jared Polis and the Directors of both the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Dan Gibbs and Dan Prenzlow, who discussed the “state of the state” regarding Colorado’s natural resources, outdoor recreation and use of our public lands. A new component of our conference content this year is the addition of graphic recordings of each of these sessions courtesy of Heartwood Visuals. Be sure to check out these unique visual maps on the ensuing pages. Most exciting, with cost savings realized from holding a virtual conference, we were able to double the size of our Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program - we were pleased to be able to provide over $200,000 to 24 partner organizations working to advance our SCORP priority areas! Please see pages 15 and 16 for more information on the work these partners are doing in support of Colorado’s outdoors. So what does the future look like? Please save the date for next year’s conference, April 18-20 2022, where we plan to gather in person at the Vail Mountain Marriott! We will again look to you, our partners, to provide top-notch, actionable sessions that help ensure the Colorado we know and love today endures for future generations. Sincerely, Dan Zimmerer Statewide Partnership Coordinator Dan Zimmerer Page 2 �Page 3 �Thank you Sponsors! PLATINUM SILVER CONTRIBUTING Page 4 �Colorado’s SCORP For more information, including the full report, see coloradoscorp.org Working Together to Advance the Priority Areas in our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Objective I: Break Down Barriers - Better understand and address barriers to engaging people in outdoor recreation. Enhance efforts to engage Coloradans who currently lack or have limited opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation. Objective II: Technology Connects More People to the Outdoors Advance easily accessible information that enhances user experience and offers tools to outdoor recreation providers. Objective III: Private and Public Lands Support Outdoor Recreation - Develop strategies across Colorado to build support for sustainable outdoor recreation access. Advance "Colorado the Beautiful" vision that every Coloradan will live within 10 minutes of a park, trail or vibrant green space. Objective I: Build an Outdoor Stewardship Ethic - Foster awareness and experiences that build an ethic of stewardship and responsibility to care for natural and cultural resources and outdoor recreation infrastructure. Objective II: Enhance Stewardship Capacity - Increase capacity of outdoor recreation providers, stewardship organizations and agencies to engage volunteers, employ youth and young adults, and enhance other types of support for on-the-ground, action-oriented stewardship activities. Objective I: Advance Landscape-scale Conservation - Work across jurisdictional and land ownership boundaries to plan for wildlife and natural resource conservation along with the growing demand for recreation access. Collaborate to tackle pressing and emerging issues and to identify and safeguard important areas for conservation, working lands and recreation access across the state. Objective II: Address Recreation Impacts Proactively manage visitors and maintain infrastructure to provide positive outdoor recreation experiences while limiting resource impacts. Utilize best practices when developing new trails or other outdoor infrastructure. Objective I: Build Support for Conservation Funding - Raise political and public awareness for the value of Colorado’s outdoors to Coloradans’ quality of life, economic prosperity, heritage and public and environmental health so that more people contribute funds to support outdoor recreation and conservation. Objective II: Diversify and Expand Funding Source(s) Identify and pursue new funds available to organizations and management agencies that directly benefits outdoor recreation and conservation of natural resources. Page 5 �SAVE THE DATE Page 6 �Opening Keynote A Hungry Life: How my relationship with the outdoors became the most dynamic single contributer to my life’s journey Featuring Chef Eduardo Garcia Growing up in southwest Montana, Eduardo developed a deep love and connection to the outdoors while becoming an accomplished hunter, angler and triathlete all while fostering a career as a classically trained chef. He then took his love for cooking to the high seas; working as a private chef on luxury yachts and more importantly, on the hunt for exceptional food experiences that can only be found by traveling the world. Eduardo’s zest for living was conveyed in his opening keynote address for this years Partners in the Outdoors Virtual Conference. He opened up with his own production film that took us through what he discovered to be his secret sauce to life: infusing the outdoors into our meals. He brought all this sentiment together and ended his address with a Q&A discussion with the audience. Find out more aboout this event below! Click here to watch this video “A meal is more than just what we eat, but an integral part of what builds culture and brings people together.” - Eduardo Garcia Thank You Colorado Wildlife Council! Keynote Sponsor Page 7 �Page 8 �Opening Keynote Coloring the Conservation Conversation Featuring Dr. Drew Lanham A native of Edgefield, South Carolina, Dr. Drew Lanham is a birder, naturalist, and hunter-conservationist who has published essays and poetry in various publications and in several anthologies, including “The Colors of Nature” among others. An Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Master Teacher at Clemson University, he and his family live in the Upstate of South Carolina, a soaring hawk’s downhill glide from the southern Appalachian escarpment that the Cherokee once called the Blue Wall. Drew’s passion for the land and its wildlife was easily recognized by the audience and was apparent thoughout his keynote address, which was an interview conducted by the host of the Mountain & Prarie Podcast, Ed Roberson. During this interview, Lanham discussed what it meant to embrace the full breadth of his African-American heritage, his deep kinship to nature and adoration of birds. He reminded us how conservation can and must be a rigorous science and evocative art. Most importantly, he emphasized how this art must invite diversity and race to play active roles in celebrating our natural world. Click here to watch this video “Learning is not just positive reinforcement, but sometimes the negative reinforcement of bitter history.” - Dr. Drew Lanham Thank You Great Outdoors Colorado! Keynote Sponsor Page 9 �Page 10 �Closing Keynote Colorado Natural Resources “State of the State” Moderated by Lauren Truitt, Assistant Director of Information & Education for Colorado Parks & Wildlife In this special closing keynote recording, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Dan Gibbs and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Director Dan Prenzlow discuss the “state of the state” regarding Colorado’s natural resources, outdoor recreation and use of public lands. This outdoors discussion is moderated by CPW Assistant Director for Information & Education, Lauren Truitt, and includes a dialogue on the challenges the state is facing and actions being taken to advance and balance recreation and conservation in Colorado. We also learn more about some of the key measures recently passed in the state legislature, conservation initiatives of the agency and a vision for the future of Colorado’s outdoors Click here to watch this video Lauren Truitt Featuring Assistant Director, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Dan Prenzlow Director, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Lauren has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Northern Colorado. With a life-long passion for Colorado’s natural resources and recreation opportunities, working for Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a dream job. Her passion for CPW’s mission is a part of who she is. Dan Prenzlow received his BS in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University in 1985. Prenzlow joined the Division of Wildlife in 1986 as a District Wildlife Manager patrolling the Castle Rock area. In 2005 he became Southeast Regional Manager based in Colorado Springs. He is married to Brenda Prenzlow and has two daughters, Danika and Alaura.​ Dan Gibbs Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources Jared Polis Governor of Colorado Since becoming Governor, Polis Dan Gibbs leads the development and enacted laws to prioritize health and execution of the Department’s initiatives safety first when it comes to oil & gas for the balanced management of the drilling operations and empowered state’s natural resources. Dan works on local communities to regulate oil & an array of issues pertaining to all of gas activities within their borders. He Colorado’s natural resources, including also signed legislation and an executive order to support a water, wildlife, state lands, oil and gas and mining. Dan enjoys transition to electric vehicles, and is supporting various efforts skiing, running, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. to expand energy efficiency all through Colroado. Page 11 �Page 12 �Page 13 �Planning Committee Interested in becoming part of this team next year? Email Dan Zimmerer at daniel.zimmerer@state.co.us Len Necefer, Native Outdoors Ashley Perillo, Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Beau Kiklis, Conservation Colorado Thank you for your time, effort and dedication to our Partners in the Outdoors effort. CJ Goulding, Children and Nature Network David Leinweber, Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance Dean Titterington, Pheasants Forever Erika Meyer, Great Outdoors Colorado Jack Placchi, Bureau of Land Management Jayne Thompson, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust Jessica Godinez, Hispanic Access Foundation Katie Navin, Colorado Alliance for Enviromental Eduacation Lenore Bates, Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways, CDOT Mary Ann Bonnell, Jefferson County Open Space Meredith Burke, Garfield County Outdoors Samantha Albert, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Sherry Fountain, U.S. Forest Service Susan Alden Weingardt, U.S. Forest Service Willie Kalaskie, National Wild Turkey Federation CPW Staff: Daniel Zimmerer, Jennifer Anderson, and Jeremy Sifuentes Page 14 �2021 Grant Recipients See previous grant recipients from years 2014 - 2021 . Visit our Apply for a Grant page for more information Through our Partners in the Outdoors efforts, we were able to provide over $200,000 in grants this year to the following organizations. • • • • • • • • • • • • • Blackpackers: will create more opportunities for a diverse population to be led into nature by Black women. This will give them the opportunity to see themselves as similar stewards of nature and will create the next generation of outdoor recreationists who will strive to protect Colorado’s public/private lands. Cal-Wood Education Center: Cal-Wood seeks to expand their time-tested Latino Family Camp model to integrate stewardship focused on fire restoration at Cal-Wood. Their Latino partners and alumni families want to help with the restoration, and we believe that this is an exciting next step for this program. Colorado’s Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust: will facilitate meaningful opportunities for Coloradans to better understand the critical relationship between agriculture, conservation, public lands, and natural resources management by providing more virtual ranch tours to the public. Colorado Fourteeners Initiative: plans to implement The Mount Wilson Workforce Development project that will seek to advance Colorado Fourteeners Initiative’s two-season-long major trail reconstruction effort on Mount Wilson by collaborating with the newly established Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC). Colorado High Country Educational Treks Inc.: is projected to serve over 300 students through their partnership programming. This would include back-country horseback trips and monthly day trips for low-income students and families of color at no cost to them. Colorado Tree Coalition: will begin to implement a strategy in a way that breaks down barriers to accessing nature and its benefits; connects more people to and engages more people in shared stewardship of our urban & community forests; fosters collaborative and integrated landscape scale and multi-jurisdictional planning and action for people + nature. Colorado Trout Unlimited: will expand STREAM Girls, increase resources for camping, and offer new outreach and retention programming. They expect to connect at least 75% of youth participants with future outdoors recreation and nature resource opportunities. Colorado West Land Trust: will continue its collaborative effort with The Monument Corridor Restoration Project. The project’s goals are to restore native vegetation for wildlife and bird habitat, enhance the experience of trail users, and to create greater awareness among trail users and youth restoration volunteers about the importance of native vegetation. EUREKA! McConnel Science Museum: Gear Up! is EUREKA!’s new after school biking and mentoring program for boys at Mt. Garfield Middle School (MGMS) in Clifton. Gear Up! will offer 2 hours of outdoor physical activity after school, twice a week, for up to 12 boys each day. Greater Arkansas River Nature Association: is increasing staff diversity and reaching up to 1,500 youth with free, experiential, hands-on, environmental education by creating a long-term youth program staff position to staff the following programs and others: Chaffee County Latinos Unidos and Lake County Familias Juntas. Groundwork Denver: plans to support Green Team youth employees in engaging in a three-day outdoor experience designed to break down barriers to outdoor recreation by increasing participants’ confidence in outdoor recreation, building awareness about the significance of local public lands, and building connections to the land through service. Hispanic Access Foundation: is creating an inclusive outdoors in Colorado by creating a re-granting fund to support Latino Conservation Week events held by and for Colorado Latinos. Keep It Colorado: will establish a shared vision and a set of goals for Colorado’s private lands conservation for the next 10 years that will, among other things: unify the work of land trusts and increase community-driven and communityfocused conservation. Page 15 �• • • • • • • • • • • Lincoln Hills Cares: will facilitate individualized outdoor experiences for community partners and marginalized youth and families in the Denver metro and Front Range mountain areas. These programs are designed to teach and encourage discussions with youth about the sciences and outdoor recreation through a dynamic STEAM-based curriculum. Lucky to Ride and ELK: seeks to support a collaborative program between Lucky to Ride and Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK). Together, they will be able to reach over 100 youth and family members and provide them with hands-on outdoor recreation and nature programming. Montezuma Land Conservancy: their project’s purpose is to involve youth from the local high school’s Native American club with the design and installation of interpretive signs along a new trail at Fozzie’s Farm and along existing trails at Hawkins Preserve. National Forest Foundation: will continue to offer meaningful employment to mitigate the increased impacts to Colorado’s natural resources that are a result of unprecedented numbers of visitors to the community. This will be done with The STOR Corps which stands for Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: aims to promote, enhance and defend the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. They plan to directly and intentionally include underrepresented communities and individuals in hunting, fishing and other outdoor traditions. Town of Pagosa Springs: The purpose of this project is to formalize this river access which has been historically used as a river take-out following the 14-mile Mesa Canyon trip down the San Juan River from downtown Pagosa Springs, and to improve the site to accommodate the growing traffic and use of this river access. Vibe Tribe Adventures: their project, BLACKOUT, seeks to be an expeditionary learning program built on the philosophy of exposing Urban Trekkers (students) to the diversity of people, places and natural landscapes outside the focus of their everyday lives. Vida Foundation: will continue their programs: the first initiative, Toma Mi Mano, engages 40 adolescents and teens from low-income neighborhoods. The second program, Destino Youth, is carried out in collaboration with the Eagle County middle schools and high schools during the home room period. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado: through their recently established Affinity Partnership Program (APP), VOC can more intentionally welcome, develop, and deepen different perspectives and voices within the broader stewardship community. Wilderness Workshop: wants to continue and expand the successful engagement and education of the past year and a half. Providing access to public lands and an introduction to what public lands are, how they are managed and how members of the Latinx community can become more engaged will remain a critical component of their program. Wildlands Restoration Volunteers: will continue their Youth and Family Program which engages diverse youth in hands-on service-learning projects that make a positive impact on the environment and empowers young people, especially those from underserved communities, as environmental leaders along Colorado’s Front Range. Page 16 �Page 17 �Session Summaries The web below shows you ways the public can go through our partner-led sessions post conference. Since all of our events were virtual this year, recordings for each session are available online for the remainder of 2021(check out Schedule Page) and in this Post-Conference Report (See pages 19 and 20) Recording Visual Map You can view each session in its entirety. See pages 19 and 20 and click on “Watch Recording” We took the main ideas from each session and transformed it into a visual aid for better understanding Virtual Session Speakers Mobile App View a full list of our speakers and panelist's bios organized by session below (See page 28) See “Partners in the Outdoors is still on Attendify!” below Partners in the Outdoors is still on Attendify! 1. All webinars were recorded and are posted on Attendify. Check out the sessions you may have missed or would like to revisit! 2. 3. Page 18 Search “Attendify” in the App Store or Google Play Store Create a login and search “Partners in the Outdoors 2021” Find webinar recordings on the schedule tab �Conference Schedule This year’s Partners in the Outdoors Conference was a multi-week virtual event: April - June 2021 Thursday, April 22nd “A Hungry Life: How my relationship with the outdoors became the most dynamic single contributor to my life’s journey” 10:00 am - 11:15 am MT Watch recording 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm MT Watch recording 10:00 am - 11:15 am MT Watch recording 9:00 am - 10:15 am MT Watch recording 10:45 am - 12:00 pm MT Watch recording Featuring: Eduardo Garcia Eduardo shared why and how he fell in love with the outdoors in his special film production just for the conference. His journey was filled with adventures in the outdoors, traveling around the globe and unexpected tragedies. At it root's, he shared how he built a career by cooking and connecting from the heart. “Coloring the Conservation Conversation” Featuring: J. Drew Lanham Lanham discussed what it meant to embrace the full breadth of his African American heritage and his deep kinship to nature and adoration of birds. He examined how conservation must be a rigorous science and evocative art, inviting diversity and race to play active roles in celebrating our natural world. Thursday, April 29th “Laugh and Live: The joy of diversity in hunting and fishing” Session Coordinator: Gabe Vasquez From a variety of perspectives and experience levels, this lighthearted conversation helped bridge the gap between underrepresented communities in the hunting and angling community and more traditional populations of hunters and anglers. Thursday, May 20th “Managing Our Public Lands in the Face of Wildfire: A US Forest Service Perspective” Session Coordinator: Emily Olsen The National Forest Foundation and 4 Forest Supervisors from the United States Forest Service got together to discuss how wildfire is influencing and impacting the management of our National Forest lands and how it affects the people of Colorado “Effectively Managing Increasing Visitation to Colorado’s Public Lands” Session Coordinator: Ben Lawhon This session covered their land management survey findings which provided in-depth information on the following: gaining a broader understanding of outdoor recreation-related resource impacts throughout Colorado; overall effectiveness of visitor education and outreach efforts; examination of specific visitor management techniques; and opportunities for more effective visitor engagement and resource protection. Page 19 �Thursday, June 3rd “What Are the Impacts of Recreation on Wildlife?” Session Coordinator: Brian Dreher 9:00 am - 10:30 am MT Watch recording 11:00 am - 12:30 am MT Watch recording 9:00 am - 10:30 am MT Watch recording Released 6/25/21 Watch recording We heard from a team of CPW biologists and researchers who explored recreation impacts as it relates to some of Colorado’s most iconic wildlife species. We also discussed ways that recreationsists and wildlife advocates can ensure these species remain an important part of Colorado’s future. Tuesday, June 8th “Funding Public Access and Habitat Conservation: Opportunities for Colorado” Session Coordinator: Amanda Nims In this session, members of the Habitat Stamp Committee and CPW staff provided an overview of the program, partnerships, conservation successes, and the 2021 Request for Proposals. The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) has invested over $170 million dollars across Colorado to permanently conserve more than 280,000 acres of wildlife habitat and to provide access to the public on 119,000 acres. Thursday, June 17th “Envision Recreation in Balance: Practical advice for collaborative planning and transformative action” Session Coordinator: Cindy Williams We heard from key members of the Envision Chaffee County Coalition about their findings and best practices as they get ready to release their Community Recreation Plan and Initiative implementation. As well, they offered tips and solutions for similar coalitions to maintaining healthy public lands, quality experiences and sustainable recreation economies. Friday, June 25th Colorado Natural Resources “State of the State” Session Moderator: Lauren Truitt This outdoors discussion was moderated by Colorado Parks & Wildlife Assistant Director, Lauen Truitt, and featured agency leadership: Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director, Dan Gibbs, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife Director, Dan Prenzlow. This video includes a dialogue on the challenges the state is facing and actions being taken to advance and balance recreation and conservation in Colorado. We also learned more about some of the key measures recently passed in the state legislature, conservation initiatives of the agency and a vision for the future of Colorado’s outdoors. Page 20 �Page 21 �Page 22 �Page 23 �Page 24 �Page 25 �Page 26 �Page 27 �Conference Presenters Session 1: “Laugh and Live: The joy of diversity in hunting and fishing” Kamila Elsisie, Ambassador, Artemis Sportswomen Kami Elsisie (37) who is Navajo, lives in Albuquerque, NM where she works Full Time as a Paramedic in the Emergency Room and on an ambulance. Kami is also the Communications and Education Outreach Coordinator for the NMWF, the Central New Mexico Artemis Ambassador and she sits on the board for the Minority Outdoor Alliance. When Kami is not busy working you can find her out in the woods with her German Short-haired Pointer Sig Sauer and her Squirrel dog Annie. Ray Trejo, Southern Outreach Coordinator, New Mexico Wildlife Federation Ray Trejo, an avid sportsman and conservationist, has spent the last 27 years of his career as a publicschool teacher and administrator. Trejo also attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in teaching, and a second master’s in educational leadership. He was instrumental in helping to create the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument and has been actively involved in work along the Mexican border that affects wildlife, more public access and advocacy. Jeremy Romero, Regional Connectivity Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation Growing up in northern New Mexico and coming from a long lineage of ranching, hunting and public land users, Jeremy gained his appreciation for the outdoors at an early age. Jeremy now serves as the Regional Connectivity Coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation. In this role, Jeremy works with local communities, tribes, private landowners, sportsmen, traditional land users and federal and state agencies to protect wildlife connectivity and ensure the conservation of our nation’s land, water, wildlife, and cultural uses like hunting and fishing are protected for future generations. Jamie Gloshay, Co-Founder, Native Women Lead Jaime is also a Manager at Roanhorse Consulting, LLC and co-designs and develops initiatives on economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and resource curation. She holds a BA in Native American Studies & Political Science and an MPA in Nonprofit Management. Jaime is a Matriarch of the Navajo, White Mountain Apache, and Kiowa Nations, and mother of three. Outside of work, Jaime finds balance by being outdoors: hiking, snowboarding, and partaking in cultural activities of her community. She has recently embarked and explored hunting as it relates to traditional food systems and food sovereignty. Gabe Vasquez, Founder, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project Session Coordintor 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. Gabe’s passions include outdoor equity, fishing, hunting, and conservation. Page 28 �Session 2: “Managing Our Public Lands in the Face of Wildfire: A US Forest Service Perspective” ​Kara Chadwick, Forest Supervisor, San Juan National Forest Chadwick began her U.S. Forest Service career in 1985 working on timber crews and fighting fires in Montana and Idaho on the Kootenai and Clearwater National Forests. From 1988 to 2002, she held various positions in Timber, Silviculture, and NEPA on the Clearwater and Nez Perce national forests in Idaho, and Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. From 2008 to 2017, she was a Resource Unit Leader with the USFS Southern Area Type I Incident Management Team. Monte Williams, Forest Supervisor, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest Monte Williams has served as the Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland located in northern Colorado since 2015. Williams’ background includes serving as a Legislative Affairs Specialist in the Forest Service headquarters in Washington D.C. and acting Chief of Staff for Arthur ‘Butch’ Blazer, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Natural Resources and Environment.. Williams’ formal education is Watershed Management with a Bachelor of Science from Utah State University. Russ Bacon, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest Prior to becoming the Forest Supervisor in 2017, Russ was the Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest in western Colorado. Throughout his career, Russ has dealt with the nexus of recreation management, conservation, and wildfire management. Experiences range from managing wildfire in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Central Idaho to managing a recreation program within a half day’s drive of Detroit and Chicago. ​Scott Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor, White River National Forest Scott has also served as the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Willamette National Forest in Eugene, Oregon and the Staff Officer for Recreation, Wilderness Lands and Minerals on the Tongass National Forest in Sitka, Alaska from 2001-2006. Additionally, he was the Public Affairs Officer for the Forest Service on the Bridger-Teton NF in Jackson Hole, Wyoming from 1992-1998. Scott has a BS in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin and a MS in Environmental Planning from the University of Colorado. Scott and his wife Lisa and their 19 year old son Sam live in Glenwood Springs, CO. ​Emily Olsen, Rocky Mountain Regional Director, National Forest Foundation Session Coordintor Working alongside a small but growing team, Emily leads programs in Colorado and neighboring states to enhance forest health, support sustainable recreation, and connect communities to their public lands. Her work is possible because of durable partnerships with nonprofit, business, and community partners. Previously, Emily worked as a facilitator and policy analyst at the Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy. She holds an M.S. from the University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation, where she specialized in forest planning, policy and conflict resolution. Session 3: “Effectively Managing Increasing Visitation to Colorado’s Public Lands” ​Ben Lawhon, Director of Education & Research, 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 Director of Education and Research. His primary responsibilities include research, curriculum development, management of national education and training programs, agency relations, and oversight of national outreach efforts. In his free time, Ben spends as much time outdoors as possible. Session Coordintor Page 29 �Session 4: “What Are the Impacts of Recreation on Wildlife” ​Jake Ivan, Mammals Researcher, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Jake’s recent projects include impacts of forest management on snowshoe hare density, impact of bark beetle outbreaks on wildlife, including Canada lynx and their prey; impacts of winter recreation on Canada lynx, and monitoring programs for rare carnivores. He holds a PhD in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University, and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. ​Eric Bergman, Mammals Researcher, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Most of Eric’s research focuses on population ecology, largely in the context of evaluating the effect of management actions on ungulate population performance. Eric has worked on mule deer, moose, and most recently elk, although he has also had small research projects focused on bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and pronghorn. He completed a MSc in 2003 at Montana State, where he focused on predator/ prey spatial dynamics of wolves, elk, and bison in Yellowstone National Park. In 2013 Eric completed a PhD at Colorado State University. ​Tina Jackson, Species Conservation Coordinator, Colorado Park & Wildlife Tina joined Colorado Parks and Wildlife in 1997, serving as a Species Conservation Coordinator since 2003. In this position, she implements species conservation and recovery programs for black-footed ferrets, black-tailed prairie dogs, Preble’s and New Mexico meadow jumping mice, bats, and reptiles throughout Colorado. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental, Population, Organismic Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Law and Policy from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. ​Jeff Thompson, Resource Stewardship Coordinator, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Jeff earned his master’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Natural Resource Law and Policy. He also holds degrees in Recreation Land Management, Biology, and Outdoor Leadership. Jeff ’s work experience includes leading field crews in the inventory and monitoring of biological and recreation resources, applying field data to land management decisions in GIS applications, performing field and programmatic work for the Colorado Natural Areas Program, directing outdoor education programs, and park management and operations. ​Matt Schulz, Forest Management Coordinator, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Matt manages several statewide conservation initiatives and partnerships for Colorado Parks and Wildlife covering a wide range of topics including citizen science, forest management, prescribed fire, cultural resources, paleontology and the soon to be minted Colorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX). Matt’s expertise is in forest ecology, GIS, resource planning and integration of scientific information into planning and management. Matt received his formal training from Colorado State University and worked with local governments on natural resource, recreation and water issues prior to joining CPW. ​Brian Dreher, Senior Terrestrial Biologist, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Session Coordintor Prior to joining CPW, Brian attended Colorado State University for a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology and a Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University. After 3 years as an area wildlife biologist, Brian Promotes to a Senior Wildlife Biologist for the SE region of Colorado, where he supervised 6 biologists, an airplane pilot and a forest habitat coordinator. In December of 2019, Brian became the Terrestrial Section Manager, which oversees the terrestrial section at the statewide level. Page 30 �Session 5: “Funding Public Access and Habitat Conservation: Opportunities for Colorado” Tim Brass, Member, Habitat Stamp Committee Tim Brass is the state policy and field operations director for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, where he helps direct the organization’s work to protect and enhance habitat and public recreational access to public lands. Tim’s work is focused on enhancing access to inaccessible public lands, while also balancing growing demands for recreational access and needs for undisturbed fish and wildlife habitat. Tim enjoys hunting waterfowl, big game hunting with a bow and fly-fishing high mountain lakes. Dan Gates, Member, Habitat Stamp Committee Colorado resident since 1976, Dan is an avid lifetime sportsman. Dan is deeply engaged in multiple sportsmen’s and conservation organizations, and sits on the Habitat Stamp Committee and CPW’s Executive Summit Council, and the Colorado Wildlife Council. His passion for the outdoors is a true representation of his beliefs in conservation. He and his wife Karen and son Ethan conduct their lives in a manner that benefits not only themselves but all of the sportsmen in Colorado. Amanda Nims, Land Protection Specialist, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Amanda is responsible for managing the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program and CPW’s Conservation Easement Stewardship Program. Amanda has close to two decades of experience working in private land conservation across 3 states. Prior to joining CPW, Amanda worked for 6 years at Colorado Open Lands as a senior project manager, working with multiple partners to complete complex land, water, and public access conservation deals across the state of Colorado. Session Coordintor Session 6: “Envision Recreation in Balance: Practical advice for collaborative planning and transformative action” ​Dominique Naccarato, Executive Director, Greater Arkansas River Nature Association 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 25-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. ​Jamin Griggs, Wildlife Biologist, Colorado Parks & Wildlife I have been a wildlife biologist for CPW for the past 14 years, including the past 12 years as the wildlife biologist for the upper Arkansas River valley based out of Salida. Prior to working for CPW, I completed my master’s degree in Montana studying the impacts of road and trail networks on elk movement, distribution, and migration patterns. In my free time, I enjoy hunting, fishing, rafting, skiing, and philosophical discussions over beers with my mountain biking friends. Greg Felt, Chairman, Chaffee County Board of Commissioners A fly-fishing guide and outfitter for over 30 years (co-owner of ArkAnglers, LLC), Greg has had a deep and lasting involvement in natural resource issues and water planning. He has served on the state’s outfitter licensing board, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Citizen’s Task Force, and the Colorado Advisory Board for the Trust for Public. He represents Chaffee County on the board of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and was appointed in 2020 by Gov. Jared Polis to serve as the Arkansas River Basin representative on the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Page 31 �​Ben Lara, Recreation Staff, United States Forest Service Originally from the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, Ben started his Forest Service career in 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. 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 ​Kalem Lenard, Assistant Field Manager, Royal Gorge Field Office BLM He has been with the BLM in Canon City Colorado for the past 11 years working in recreation and as a supervisor over the recreation, wildlife, range, forestry, fisheries and archaeology programs. He began his career in eastern Nevada as an intern with the BLM inventorying invasive plants where he was introduced to land management and the complex field of outdoor recreation planning and management. He has a degree in Geography from Portland State University and enjoys exploring the west with his wife and two kids. ​Carlee Koutnik, Deputy Director, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Carlee Koutnik is a Colorado native from La Veta who grew up with a wide appreciation for Colorado’s public lands and wildlife. She graduated from the US Air Force Academy with an undergraduate degree in biology and shortly after, earned a master’s degree from the University of Florida in forest resources and conservation. Carlee joined CPW in 2020 following eight years in the Air Force. While serving, she specialized in occupational and environmental health management, sexual assault victim advocacy in Florida and Alaska, and she proudly finished her military service in Colorado as an instructor of biology at her alma mater. Among Carlee’s repertoire of interests, she’s a lifelong hunter and enjoys hiking, triathlons, snowmobiling, pottery, and snowboarding ​Cindy Williams, Co-Chair, Envision Chaffee County Session Coordintor Cindy is the Co-Chair of Envision Chaffee County and Chair of the Chaffee County Common Ground Fund. She is a Colorado native, tapping her experience to catalyzing citizens to support the community and landscapes that make Central Colorado special. 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. Page 32 �Page 33 �S A V E T H E D A T E Partners in the Outdoors Conference Vail Marriott Mountain Resort . April 18-20, 2022 Conference Benefits Networking & Collaboration • Partner Recognition Professional Development • Grant Opportunities To Learn More: cpw.state.co.us/partners Dan Zimmerer dnr_cpwpartners@state. co.us Photo: @CaptureTheAction Page 34 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Post-conference report Description An account of the resource Post-conference report for the Partners in the Outdoors conference Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Colorado Parks & Wildlife Subject The topic of the resource Partners in the Outdoors conference Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/">No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Colorado Parks and Wildlife