8th Biennial Conference
Growing Equity in Public Lands
October 24-25, 2019 at The Owyhee in Boise, Idaho
Never in the long history of our public lands system has there been such a broad array of serious, systemic threats—political, philosophical, economic, and environmental. These are lands we all own together. Lands we all care about and depend on. How can we work together, starting at the grassroots level, to confront these threats, improve our approaches to public land management, improve access for all people, and at the same time ensure the long-term sustainability of natural landscapes and ecosystems?
Keynote
JAMES EDWARD MILLS
A freelance journalist who specializes in telling stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving, and practices of sustainable living, James has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer, and photographer. He is the author of the book “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors” and the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American Ascent.” He is also an adjunct faculty member of the University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute For Environmental Studies.
Land Acknowledgment
DARREN PARRY
Darren is the Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. He helped lead his community in the re-purchase and preservation of the land at the site of the Boa Ogoi Massacre in Idaho. He has deep experience in the acknowledgement and preservation of sacred lands, partnership with the National Parks Service, native species restoration, and the historical context underlying much of the public lands in America
Welcome Remarks
TODD WALTON
Executive Director of Winter Wildlands, Todd brings over 20 years of outdoor industry experience as a global brand communications and marketing leader, business owner, and trade executive for brands.
Moderator
DAVID PAGE
David is Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Advocacy Director. Based in Mammoth Lakes, CA, he is also a national award-winning journalist, a senior correspondent for Powder Magazine, and a founding board member of Mammoth Lakes Recreation.
Panel: “There is Room for Everyone: How to Embrace Diversity”
JOLIE VARELA
A citizen of the Nüümü and Yokut Nations, Jolie grew up in Payahuunadü on the Bishop Indian Reservation. She is the founder of Indigenous Women Hike, an organization that promotes nourishing our inherent connections to the land as well as helping to provide access for Indigenous people in the outdoors.
THERESA SIMSIMAN
California Stewardship Director for American Whitewater, Theresa has advocated since she first started whitewater kayaking in 1999 for riversheds, paddlers, and local communities in negotiations over hydropower licensing, river access, forest planning, and wild and scenic river designation. She is also a founding member of Outdoor Alliance’s California Policy Shop.
VASU SOJITRA
Adaptive Sports Program Director for Eagle Mount Bozeman, one of the Coordinators for Earthtone Outsideᴹᵀ, and the first adaptive athlete for The North Face. Vasu is also a Winter Wildlands ambassador.
JUSTIN FORREST PARKS
Co-founder of Sending in Color and a Coalition Member at Diversify Outdoors, Justin has worked alongside the American Alpine Club, Chicago Mountaineering Club, Sierra Club, Access Fund, Outdoor Research and NOLS to help find ways to make outdoor communities more equitable, inclusive and welcoming to all.
Panel: “Messaging the Sacred”
CHARLES WOLF DRIMAL
Senior Conservation Associate at the Greater Yellowstone Coalition in Bozeman, Charles is also the co-founder and vice-president of the Montana Backcountry Alliance (MBA).
DARREN PARRY
Darren is the Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. He helped lead his community in the re-purchase and preservation of the land at the site of the Boa Ogoi Massacre in Idaho. He has deep experience in the acknowledgement and preservation of sacred lands, partnership with the National Parks Service, native species restoration, and the historical context underlying much of the public lands in America
MIDY APONTE
Senior Vice President at Spitfire Strategies for global, national and state foundations clients, Midy also serves on several nonprofit boards including the Alaska Wilderness League and the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado.
LAURA YALE
A Colorado-based freelance film producer, Laura has a background in environmental organizing and uses cinematic storytelling to bring grassroots efforts and stories of landscape to widespread audiences. Her documentaries include “Jumbo Wild” and “Treeline”.
HAL HALLSTEIN
Managing Partner at the Sankala Group, Hal also serves as a trustee for the City of Boulder’s Open Space Board of Trustees and is currently the Vice President of the board of Winter Wildlands.
Workshop: “Experiential Education: Passing the Knowledge”
SALOME MWANGI
Refugee Speakers Bureau & Social Integration Coordinator with the Idaho Office for Refugees, Salome is a Kenyanborn American speaker who inspires, challenges and equips others to overcome their real or perceived obstacles, & live up to their full potential.
JULIE JUAREZ
As a six-year employee of REI and a certified ski & bike technician, Julie leads many of the classes and events offered by the Boise REI’s outdoor outreach program. She is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder, and surfer.
KERRY MCCLAY
Kerry serves as National SnowSchool Director with Winter Wildlands Alliance and is based in Boise ID. Through SnowSchool he works to introduce thousands of kids and K-12 students to the joy of on-snow exploration and the science of wild winter landscapes. Kerry holds a doctorate degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Boise State University.
Panel: “How Do We Pay For It? New Strategies for Funding Public Lands”
LOUIS GELTMAN
As Outdoor Alliance‘s Policy Director, Louis monitors national policy developments, facilitates coordination among member organizations, and leads OA advocacy work with research and policy content. He is a world-class whitewater kayaker.
JOHN GARDER
John is Senior Director for Budget and Appropriations at the National Parks Conservation Association and his favorite season – by far – is winter. He is also President of the Winter Wildlands board.
SUSAN JAMES
Recreation Program Manager for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Susan has also worked as recreation planner for the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service.
JONATHAN ASHER
Government Relations Director for Conservation Funding at The Wilderness Society, Jonathan previously served as an Obama administration appointee in the Environmental Protection Agency’s legislative affairs office.
Panel: “E-Recreation: Brave New World?”
BRAD BROOKS
Acting Senior Director of Agency Policy and Planning for The Wilderness Society, Brad oversees TWS’s national Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service programs, as well as their Public Lands Campaign. He served seven years on the Board of the American Alpine Club, including two as Vice President, and cofounded the Idaho Trails Association.
JULIE BROWN
A freelance journalist and content strategist based in Reno, NV, Julie is the Former Managing Editor for Powder Magazine. Her work focuses on the intersection of the environment, travel, recreation, public lands, and social justice, especially in California and Nevada.
TODD KELLER
Director of Government Affairs for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), Todd has 20 years of experience in public policy, legislative affairs and issue campaigns, ranging from the National Wildlife Federation to the renewable energy industry, to the Outdoor Industry Association.
JOHN WENTWORTH
A member of the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, John recently served as the Town’s Mayor and is Chairman and CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation (MLTPA).
Panel: “Planning the Future of Public Lands”
ALISON FLINT
As the Director of Litigation and Agency Policy at The Wilderness Society, Alison works on a variety of federal public lands issues, including protecting our national forests and bedrock conservation laws and policies, as well as managing TWS’s high-profile litigations.
FRANCISCO VALENZUELA
Recently retired from his post as Director of Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, Heritage and Wilderness Programs in the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region, Francisco is a decorated leader in sustainable outdoor recreation planning and management, he is also a Board Director with PUP Global Heritage Consortium.
HILARY EISEN
Hilary is Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Policy Director. Based in Bozeman, she leads WWA’s engagement in National Forest winter travel management and other policy issues affecting backcountry skiers. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and a B.A. degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Middlebury College.
DAVID PAGE
David is Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Advocacy Director. Based in Mammoth Lakes, CA, he is also a national award-winning journalist, a senior correspondent for Powder Magazine, and a founding board member of Mammoth Lakes Recreation.
Presentation: “Recreation Impact: Wolverines and Winter Recreation”
HILARY EISEN
Hilary is Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Policy Director. Based in Bozeman, she leads WWA’s engagement in National Forest winter travel management and other policy issues affecting backcountry skiers. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and a B.A. degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Middlebury College.
DR. KIM HEINEMEYER
Senior Scientist at Round River Conservation Studies, Dr. Heinemeyer’s work focuses on the ecological and social values of large wild landscapes and the wide ranging species that require them.
Panel: “The Outdoor Economy: Is It Ruining the Outdoors”
LUCY KAY
CEO of the Breckenridge Tourism Office (BTO), Lucy has held various executive roles within Vail resorts. She is on the Board of the Colorado Tourism Office and President of the Colorado Association of Destination Management Organizations.
DANNA STROUD
Executive Director of Travel Paso in California’s Central Coast region, Danna has also served as the Mt. Whitney Area Representative for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and active in a variety of CA collaborative efforts.
YOON KIM
Yoon is the founder of Outdoor Media Summit and Blogs for Brands, a digital agency in the outdoors space. He organizes conferences and creates marketing campaigns for world class brands.
TODD WALTON
Executive Director of Winter Wildlands, Todd brings over 20 years of outdoor industry experience as a global brand communications and marketing leader, business owner, and trade executive for brands.
JULIE BROWN
A freelance journalist and content strategist based in Reno, NV, Julie is the Former Managing Editor for Powder Magazine. Her work focuses on the intersection of the environment, travel, recreation, public lands, and social justice, especially in California and Nevada.
Presentation: “Climate Science Into Action: What Can We Do?”
HANS-PETER MARSHALL
A snow scientist and glaciologist who uses geophysics and engineering tools to study the cryosphere, HP is also interested in snow slope stability modeling, snow and ice mechanics, and meltwater pathways in both snow and temperate ice.
KERRY MCCLAY, Ed.D.
As Winter Wildlands’ National SnowSchool Director, Kerry works to get thousands of kids and K-12 students on snow each season to explore the science of wild winter landscapes.
Panel: “Collaboration: 3 Case Studies”
ERIK MURDOCK
Policy Director at the Access Fund and GIS Lab Director at Outdoor Alliance, Erik is an avid climber and eager backcountry skier, has a MS in Geology and a PhD in Natural Resource Studies with a minor in Environmental Psych.
MIKE FIEBIG
Mike is the River Protection Director for the Southwest U.S. at American Rivers, leading river protection efforts in the Green, CO, and Rio Grande river systems with a focus on public lands policy, protecting wild rivers, and climate change response. He also serves on the board at Winter Wildlands.
TONY FERLISI
Executive Director of Mountain Bike the Tetons, the Teton region chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) located in Teton Valley, ID, Tony has also been a Winter Wildlands board member since 2013.
STEVE SMUTKO
Professor in the Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Wyoming, Steve’s research focuses on resources management and policy.
