2025 sessions:
Workforce development
Wyoming & Colorado Roundup, Public/Private Partnership
Wyoming & Colorado Roundup, Getting your Outdoor Recreation Idea from Concept to Fruition: Resources, Tips, and Tricks
Lessons Learned
Future of outdoor recreation development and plans for resiliency
Session 1: Workforce Development
Date: 10/24/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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Webinar description: This webinar session focuses on Workforce Development in the Outdoor Recreation Industry.
We will discuss workforce development needs with major industry partners.
Workforce Development Speaker Bios
Christina Bird
Christina has worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for almost thirty years.
After graduating with a degree in History, Christina began her career working in museums
around the country. On the job training, a willingness to step outside of her comfort
zone and a passion for people and making their experiences amazing in our communities
has led to multiple opportunities over the years. Over the last 15 years, Christina
has been committed to Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails, first as a Superintendent
and then as District Manager for the SE district. She values people and collaboration
in her work, knowing that by creating amazing teams, mountains can be moved. She currently
oversees the Wyoming Territorial Prison, Ames Monument, the Wyoming Historic Governors’
Mansion, Quebec 01 State Historic Site, Curt Gowdy State Park and serves on various
committees, boards and leadership teams across the state.
Taylor Phillips
Taylor Phillips earned a degree in Environmental Studies and Philosophy in Florida,
then moved to Jackson Hole, where he worked as a naturalist and educator. In 2008,
he founded EcoTour Adventures to provide visitors with a deeper connection to the
wildlife and landscapes of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In 2021, Taylor founded
WYldlife for Tomorrow, engaging Wyoming's travel and recreation industry to support
conservation projects across the state. He now serves on the board of The WYldlife
Fund and recently received the Biodiversity Conservation Award from the University
of Wyoming's Biodiversity Institute.
Amy Stang
Amy Stang has been with the State of Colorado since 2001, and currently serves as
the Business Strategy Manager for the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium (CRWC).
She oversees teams that are focused on business strategy, work-based learning, and
sector partnerships. Amy began her career with the State of Colorado in the Division
of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) where she supported business and industry partners
across 21 counties in employing and retaining individuals with disabilities. Through
her efforts, she was successful in bridging urban and rural communities to meet local
business needs. In 2021, Amy joined the CRWC as a Youth Career Coach and strengthened
connections between education, workforce and industry. Known for her enthusiasm and
collaborative spirit, Amy is committed to fostering partnerships and driving innovative
solutions that support businesses across Rural Colorado.
Session 2: Wyoming & Colorado Roundup, Public/Private Partnership
Date: 11/14/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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Webinar description: This webinar session focuses on how public land management agencies are leveraging public/private partnerships to meet the needs of growing demand for outdoor recreation opportunities. Panel participants will share when they utilize this partnership approach, best practices for these partnerships, and what they see as the future of partnerships in outdoor recreation.
Workforce Development Speaker Bios
Nicole Foss, M.A.
Director of Operations and Development Nicole came to Laramie from Colorado in 2016
to pursue her BA in English at UW, and has lived here ever since. She grew up camping
with her family and credits her love of the mountains to those trips. Nicole is a
dedicated plant and pet parent, writer, downhill skier, artist, gardener, and local
forager. For the last year, she has been excited to bring her writing skills to the
nonprofit scene, and facilitate the enjoyment of Wyoming’s beautiful public lands.
As the Director of Operations and Development at Common Outdoor Ground, she works
to develop a culture of land stewardship in the outdoor spaces where we live, work,
and play.
Jared Oakleaf
Jared Oakleaf is an Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Lander Field Office in Lander,
Wyoming. He has worked there since 2001 on a number of recreation related Land Use
Plan and implementation decisions. His work in the Lander Field Office has been heavily
involved with partnerships to provide such visitor services along the 5 Congressionally
Designated Trails in the office and community-based recreation areas such as Johnny
Behind the Rocks. For his role in leading and facilitating partnerships Jared was
awarded the 2014 'Legends Award' by the American Recreation Coalition.
Jared holds BAs in Geography and Recreation and Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming.
Jared and his wife Liz reside in Lander (the town he grew up in) and enjoy all forms of recreation. They are especially avid hunters, pursuing something with a bow, rifle, or camera most of the year. However, they especially enjoy hunting upland birds over their two bird dogs Rhiza and Indianna.
Chuck Sullivan
Executive Director, The Wright A Colorado-based nonprofit organization, The Wright
helps shape the economic and cultural vitality of our western communities by bringing
together place-makers and innovators to awaken ideas, unlock new partnerships, and
celebrate the wins. At the helm of The Wright, Chuck’s best days are spent immersed
in the everyday work of real people and real communities across Colorado.
Doozie Martin
Alexander "Doozie" Martin has been supporting forest stewardship in Summit County
for over a decade through Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. 🌲
He serves as the Executive Director of the non-profit, which is dedicated to connecting community members with opportunities to contribute to sustainable forest management, such as trail building projects, reforestation, watershed restoration, education, and more!
Session 3: Wyoming & Colorado Roundup, Getting your Outdoor Recreation Idea from Concept to Fruition: Resources, Tips, and Tricks
Date: 12/12/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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Webinar description: This webinar session focuses on introducing various agencies and organizations who can help you and your community bring outdoor recreation ideas to completion. In addition, we will discuss some tips and tricks that have been successful in other communities
Resources, Tips, and Tricks Bios
Michael Kusiek
Executive Director of Wyoming Pathways Michael Kusiek is the Executive Director of
Wyoming Pathways, an organization that makes communities safer for bicyclists and
pedestrians and builds recreational trails on public lands. He serves on the board
of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance and has been a member of the Steering
Committee for the University of Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit for the past three
years.
As a seasoned project management professional, Michael brings over two decades of expertise spanning healthcare, education, conservation, and public lands initiatives across multiple states. His organizational development work has strengthened institutions throughout South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, New York, and Colorado.
Michael served as the Chair of the Lander Community Foundation and is a former Lander City Council member. He remains deeply committed to community service. His passion for leadership extends to athletics, where he's achieved remarkable success in rugby coaching—including a 2006 national championship with the West Collegiate Rugby All-Star team and leading the University of Wyoming Women's Rugby Team to national playoffs. Today, he continues to shape local athletics as coach of Lander's Speed-goat Rugby Team. Michael holds a B.A. in multicultural studies/history and a Master's in Education with an emphasis on total quality management, credentials that complement his extensive field experience in organizational excellence.
Laurel Stephens
Communications and Marketing Manager, Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Born
and raised in the heart of Georgia, Laurel fell in love with the Rocky Mountain West
many years ago and has called Colorado and Wyoming home since 2016. After receiving
her Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Georgia State University, Laurel has assumed
various roles focusing on communications and marketing in the hospitality, tourism,
and outdoor recreation industries. As the Communications and Marketing Manager for
Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, Laurel is responsible for developing and
overseeing the agency's communications and marketing strategies and initiatives. Before
being named Communications and Marketing Manager in November of 2024, she was the
agency's outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation since August
of 2021.
Laurel and her husband live in the Bighorn Basin in north-central Wyoming. They spend most of their free time outdoors fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and rafting with their three cow dogs, Pep, Enzo, and Gus.
Date: 01/09/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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Webinar description: This webinar session focused on lessons learned from communities at various states
of outdoor recreation economic development.
writing in notebook
Session 5: Future of outdoor recreation development and plans for resiliency
Date: 2/13/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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Webinar description: Explore research from Colorado and Wyoming that examines the future of outdoor recreation development. This session will address critical challenges such as wildlife conservation, climate change, wildfire management, and other pressing issues shaping the industry’s landscape.
