We are excited to partner with CSU on this series of Webinars. These webinars are designed to inform and support educators, business leaders, policymakers, nonprofits, advocacy groups, land managers, recreation professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts in the outdoor recreation space.
Don't miss this exclusive webinar series featuring industry experts, government representatives, and non-profits. Gain valuable insights, discover best practices, and learn how to turn your ideas into reality.
Oct. 24: Workforce development
Nov. 14: Public/private partnerships
Dec. 12: Turning your outdoor recreation idea into a reality
Jan. 9: Best practices and lessons learned from local gov’t officials
Feb. 13: The future of outdoor recreation development
Please sign up for any and all webinars, below. Each individual session requires its own registration. Click the 'Register Today' button to sign up.
Date: 10/24/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
Watch webinar recording here »
Webinar description: This webinar session focuses on Workforce Development in the Outdoor Recreation Industry. We will discuss workforce development needs with major industry partners.
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.
Date: 11/14/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
Watch webinar recording here »
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.
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!
Date: 12/12/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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
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
Webinar description: This webinar session focused on lessons learned from communities at various states of outdoor recreation economic development.
Date: 2/13/2024
Time: 12: 00 pm-1:30 pm
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.
