10th Biennial Conference
~ September 14-17, 2023 ~
PARTNERING WITH NATURE
Keynote Speaker: Pete McBride
Award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and writer Pete McBride has spent more than two decades studying the world with his camera. He has traveled on assignment to all seven continents and over 75 countries for National Geographic, Outside, Smithsonian, The Nature Conservancy and others, and spoken on stages for TedX, The World Economic Forum, USAID, The Conservation Alliance and more. His latest project, Seeing Silence, explores the power and fragility of natural soundscapes and quietude, and was named one of the top photo books of 2021.
Location: CU Boulder’s Mountain Research Station (Niwot Ridge, Nederland, CO)
Located at 9500 feet in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies, 22 miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, the Mountain Research Station is a field research facility dedicated to the advancement of mountain environmental science associated with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research.
About the Conference:
Since 2002, Winter Wildlands Alliance has hosted the biennial Grassroots Advocacy Conference, bringing together policy makers, athletes, grassroots activists, scientists, mountain guides, elected officials and other recreation and conservation stakeholders from across the country for two full days of engaging workshops, panel discussions and informal networking on issues important to winter recreation, conservation, climate and public lands.
Attendees get the latest developments in policy and planning, share grassroots successes, meet with public land managers, gain new advocacy tools and spend quality lodge and outdoor time with colleagues, partners, new friends and allies. See below for details and panel recordings from past conferences.
Questions or want to be involved? Email our Events Director, Melinda Quick at mquick@winterwildlands.org.

Testimonials
“The vibe is strong at WWA’s advocacy conference with grassroots leaders from all over the US providing inspirational stories, ideas or discussions about our public lands that keeps the fire burning for when I return home and get back to work!”
“The Grassroots Advocacy conference is an important tool for those seeking to protect the health and vibrancy of ecosystems.”
“I liked the diversity of panel topics and the focus on creative new ways of doing things (brands, athletes, stewardship, etc). I also thought the unstructured time was great for getting to know other attendees and hear about their work and their ideas. The venue made it easy to connect with everyone.”
Past Conferences
2021
📍Virtual

2019
📍Boise, Idaho

2017
📍Donner Summit, California

Can we save the backcountry from ourselves?
First Virtual Conference: offered to attendees for free in 6 one-hour Zoom panels and the recordings were shared with our larger community afterwards.
Poster photo by Shannon Corsi (@shannon.corsi)
Growing Equity in Public Lands
Keynote Speaker: James Edward Mills, award-winning journalist and author of The Adventure Gap
Poster design by Jim Harris (@perpetualweekend)
Harnessing the Power of Local Action
Keynote Speaker: Jeremy Jones, Athlete and Founder of Protect Our Winters
Poster design by Brittany Jones
Past Sponsors





Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to
inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.
MAIL ADDRESS
910 Main Street, Suite 235
Boise, Idaho 83702
208-336-4203