Conference Schedule
While we have begun planning for the 2022 Conference, schedule details are not yet finalized. Stay tuned for more information early next year. In the meantime, we will continue to keep the 2021 highlights posted below.
Closing Keynote: "State of the State" - Colorado's Outdoors
This special panel discussion is moderated by CPW Assistant Director, Lauren Truitt, and includes a dialogue on the challenges the state is facing and actions being taken to advance and balance recreation and conservation in Colorado. We also learn more about some of the key measures recently passed in the state legislature, conservation initiatives of the agency, and a vision for the future of Colorado’s outdoors.
Conference Opening Keynote Sessions
Featuring: Chef Eduardo Garcia
Featuring: Dr. J. Drew Lanham
See our
Speakers page for more information on these opening keynote sessions.
Conference Sessions
“Laugh and Live: The joy of diversity in hunting and fishing”
The audience will learn about the multifaceted, and often humorous experiences, that ethnically diverse hunters and anglers have in the field. From a variety of perspectives and experience levels, this lighthearted conversation will help bridge the gap between underrepresented communities in the hunting and angling community and more traditional populations of hunters and anglers. As a participant, you will also get opportunities to ask questions to the panel throughout the session! Conservation of wildlife and our shared natural resources requires all of us at the table, and having more discussions like this can help us to get there. Make sure to stick around till the end to hear about how you can help support existing hunting/angling organizations led by people of color.
“Managing Our Public Lands in the Face of Wildfire: A US Forest Service Perspective”
What does the future of Colorado's Forests look like in the face of an ever-present wildfire threat? Join the National Forest Foundation and the United States Forest Service (USFS) for a panel discussion with the Forest Supervisors from 4 of the national forests located in Colorado. The panel will discuss how wildfire is influencing and impacting the management of our National Forest lands and how it affects the people of Colorado. Through discussion, we will learn how the USFS prepares for wildfire each season, conducts planning to mitigate the risk and impacts of wildfire, addresses post-fire impacts, and is adjusting traditional management activities and priorities to ensure the health and resiliency of these national treasures.
“Effectively Managing Increasing Visitation to Colorado’s Public Lands”
Given the significant increase in recreational use of Colorado’s public lands over the past twelve months due to COVID, many in the land management community have been challenged by the influx of visitors. A number of these visitors may be new to the outdoors, and novel solutions may be necessary to meet current recreational demands and address the associated impacts.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics conducted a statewide survey in March 2021 that was intended for land managers, non-governmental organizations, recreation providers, and key stakeholders who were interested in and/or implementing locally-tailored and contemporary solutions to address current and emerging outdoor recreation-related impacts (e.g. camping impacts, wildlife impacts, pollution of water sources, trail erosion, overuse, parking issues, user conflict, etc.) found on Colorado’s public lands. This session will cover the survey findings which provide in-depth information on the following: gaining a broader understanding of outdoor recreation-related resource impacts throughout Colorado; overall effectiveness of visitor education and outreach efforts; examination of specific visitor management techniques; and opportunities for more effective visitor engagement and resource protection.
“What Are the Impacts of Recreation on Wildlife?”
Join us on Thursday, June 3rd, and you'll hear from a team of CPW biologists and researchers who are exploring this issue as it relates to some of Colorado's most iconic wildlife species. We will also learn and discuss ways that recreationists and wildlife advocates can ensure these species remain an important part of Colorado's future.
“Funding Public Access and Habitat Conservation: Opportunities for Colorado"
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) has invested over $170 million dollars across Colorado to permanently conserve more than 280,000 acres of wildlife habitat and to provide access to the public on 119,000 acres, including 360 miles of river frontage. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) program looks to partners of all kinds to help accomplish program goals. Funded through a partnership between Great Outdoors Colorado and CPW, many of the CWHP’s dollars come from the revenue generated by the sale of the Habitat Stamp. In this session, members of the Habitat Stamp Committee and CPW staff will provide an overview of the program, partnerships, conservation successes, and the 2021 Request for Proposals.
“Envision Recreation in Balance: Practical advice for collaborative planning and transformative action”
Are you part of a coalition that is looking to offer community-driven solutions to maintain healthy public lands, quality experiences and a sustainable recreation economy into the future? Are you looking to join the Regional Partnerships Initiative being led by the Colorado Outdoor Partnership and Colorado Parks and Wildlife? Then join the Partners in the Outdoors community and learn from key members of the Envision Chaffee County Coalition about their learnings and best practices as they get ready to release their Community Recreation Plan and initiative implementation.
