Raquel Wertsbaugh
CNAP Program Coordinator
Raquel Wertsbaugh is the Colorado Natural Areas Program Coordinator and has held this position since March 2014. Previously, Raquel was the area wildlife conservation biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Salida, CO for eight years. Raquel has also been a private land wildlife biologist in Southeastern Colorado, working with agricultural producers, in a joint position with the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Raquel earned her bachelor degree in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Rangeland Ecology from Colorado State University. Her work as a wildlife biologist has included a focus on rare and at-risk species, ranging from boreal toads to bats.
Savanna Smith
Botanist and Volunteer Steward Manager
Savanna Smith is a botanist at the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and is contracted full-time to CNAP to provide botanical expertise and manage the volunteer steward program. She began this position in 2021; previously, she worked as a CNAP technician for two years. She has extensive experience conducting rare plant inventories and monitoring, with a focus on Colorado’s rare flora. She enjoys conducting field work in all areas of the state, from the grasslands along the Arikaree River all the way up to some of Colorado’s highest peaks. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Ecological Restoration from Colorado State University.
Victoria Oliu
Field Technician
Victoria Oliu is the Natural Areas Field Technician for the 2023 season. Prior to this position with CPW, she worked for the National Park Service (NPS) as a Plant Technician at Rocky Mountain National Park for two seasons, and worked as an intern for the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. Victoria was on a backcountry crew with the NPS last season that focused on exotic plant surveys in the burn areas of the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires. From her past positions, she has gained field experience through wetland plant surveys across the state, restoration work, exotic plant management, stream surveys, and rare wildlife surveys. She also has a passion for environmental stewardship and communicating science. Victoria graduated from Colorado State University in December of 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and a minor in Environmental Affairs.
