Carlos Fernández is the Colorado State Director of The Nature Conservancy, one of the most effective conservation organizations in the American West and around the globe. You probably remember Carlos from our first conversation back in August of 2020, in which we discussed his inspiring career trajectory, the importance of collaborative conservation partnerships, and several of TNC’s cutting-edge initiatives throughout the West.

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When we recorded that first episode, we were in the very early stages of the pandemic– a time marked by unprecedented uncertainty in almost every aspect of life. When we recorded today’s episode– nearly two-and-a-half years after that first conversation– the worst of the pandemic is now behind us. Carlos was able to look back on that trying period with some perspective, discussing the many challenges and opportunities that arose from such a difficult few years. This conversation is a case study of how critical work can be produced during challenging times, and how optimism, focus, and old-fashioned teamwork can lead to lasting outcomes.

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Carlos and I met up at his office in Boulder and had an in-depth conversation about TNC’s conservation initiatives and collaborations over the past few years. I asked Carlos about his leadership strategies and tactics during the most intense days of the pandemic and what he and TNC  learned from those challenges. We talk about Carlos’s recent 2022 year-end letter and TNC Colorado’s 2022 Year In Review, and we dig into several inspiring conservation victories from the past 12 months. We also revisit the Southern High Plains Initiative and the Yampa River Fund, and we discuss TNC’s future plans around climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also talk about this year-long partnership between TNC and Mountain & Prairie, which we are both very excited about.

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• The Colorado chapter of Nature Conservancy
• TNC Colorado's 2022 Year in Review
• Full Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/carlos-fernandez-2/
• Carlos's First M&P episode

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive.

On the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout 2023, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West.

To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in Colorado and around the world, visit www.nature.org/colorado

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:00 -  Carlos discusses the evolution of TNC Colorado during COVID
• 10:00 - Why the eastern plains and grasslands of Colorado are important and such a focus area of TNC Colorado’s work
• 12:00 - The power of partnerships in conservation work
• 14:45 - Why TNC Colorado feels it is important to focus on underserved and underrepresented groups in any work concerning climate change and conservation
• 19:30 - The importance of storytelling in conservation work
• 23:00 - How he and TNC prioritizes the focal points of their work, including who he seeks council from
• 30:45 - What he is excited about for TNC Colorado moving forward
• 33:30 - How he evaluates difficult choices and newest trends in conservation to ensure action is intentional and not controlled by external trends (not chasing every shiny object)
• 36:30 - What he thinks TNC Colorado’s role is in the state’s overall conservation sector, returning again to the importance of partnership and collaboration in this field 
• 44:00 - The Yampa River Fund and updates us on its progress
• 49:45 - TNC’s relationships with businesses 
• 53:00 - Advice for folks looking to work in conservation
• 56:00 - Carlos and Ed talk about the upcoming podcast series that Mountain & Prairie will be conducting with TNC Colorado
• 59:45 - Book recommendations
• 1:01:45 - Parting words of wisdom

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