10th Biennial
~ September 14-17, 2023 ~
PARTNERING WITH NATURE
10th Biennial
~ September 14-17, 2023 ~
PARTNERING WITH NATURE
Our public lands are our greatest allies for fighting climate change. And the human-powered winter sports community—one of the fastest growing segments of the recreation economy—is on the front lines.
What can we do as a community to achieve and implement public lands policies that mitigate and respond to a shifting climate, protecting threatened winter ecosystems, accessible non-motorized snowscapes, critical watersheds, healthy forests, biodiversity, and sustainable mountain town economies?
The 10th Biennial Grassroots Advocacy Conference will explore the ways in which advocates, organizations, agencies, businesses and individual recreationists can effectively partner with nature to protect America’s snowscapes.
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.
Recognition: Connor Ryan
Proud Hunkpapa Lakota and passionate skier—in 2022 named one of the “20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry” by Outside Magazine—Connor was born and raised in the homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples, who have become some of his biggest inspirations and closest relatives, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Skiing is his dance and prayer, a ceremony of its own, one that offers a chance to center himself within nature and the Great Mystery of the universe surrounding him. Connor works to inspire others to deepen their connection to the places they live and play in order for us all to be better relatives to our planet, our communities, and ourselves.
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.”
10th Biennial Sponsors
