Jackie Miller is the Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and Carlos Fernández is the Colorado State Director for The Nature Conservancy. Both are highly respected leaders in Colorado’s conservation community, and they’ve played pivotal roles in shaping the state’s approach to protecting land, water, wildlife, and outdoor access. While Carlos has joined me on the podcast several times before, this is Jackie’s first appearance, and I was honored to have them both on to discuss one of the most significant conservation developments in recent memory.

Just a few weeks ago, the State of Colorado announced the launch of its Outdoors Strategy—a comprehensive, collaborative roadmap designed to align the state’s conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience efforts for decades to come. Developed through years of planning, dialogue, and consensus-building across hundreds of organizations and communities, the Strategy addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Colorado’s landscapes and communities. It’s not just a plan—it’s a shared vision backed by actionable goals, clear metrics, and powerful tools for implementation at the local and statewide levels.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the origin of Colorado's Outdoors Strategy, the urgency behind its creation, and the unique collaborative process that brought it to life. Jackie shares how GOCO’s long-standing community partnerships and flexible funding model positioned the organization to lead at a statewide scale, while Carlos explains how the Strategy dovetails with The Nature Conservancy’s science-based goals and priorities. We also explore the Strategy’s three “North Star” goals, the innovative Resource Hub that supports on-the-ground action, and the importance of regional implementation and tribal engagement. It’s a timely, inspiring look at how Colorado is setting a national standard for coordinated, community-driven conservation.

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• Jackie Miller
• Great Outdoors Colorado
• Carlos Fernandez
• The Nature Conservancy in Colorado
• Colorado’s Outdoor Strategy
• Episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/jackie-carlos/

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. 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.

During the last week of every month throughout 2025, 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 and beyond.

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

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:03 – Intros, Carlos then Jackie
• 5:09 – Explaining Great Outdoors Colorado
• 8:51 – How Jackie got to GOCO
• 11:37 – Carlos on GOCO
• 15:29 – Challenges that led to Colorado's Outdoors Strategy
• 19:04 – Opportunities that the Strategy will address
• 21:33 – Jackie’s executive summary
• 27:01 – How the Strategy aligns with TNC’s other goals
• 29:59 – North stars and measuring success
• 33:22 – The TNC tools Carlos is excited about
• 36:34 – Creating urgency to execute a plan
• 40:14 – Face-to-face
• 42:51 – Carlos’s thoughts on execution
• 45:49 – How the plan affects the layperson
• 47:25 – What did we miss? First Jackie
• 51:29 – Then Carlos
• 53:31 – Book recs
• 57:42 – Wrap up words of wisdom

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Sonnie Trotter is a world-renowned rock climber, father, husband, writer, and the author of the new book "Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life." For the past three decades, Sonnie has built a career as one of the most accomplished climbers of his generation— pushing standards, putting up first ascents, and bringing a sense of creativity, humility, and grit to every project he tackles. His new book is part memoir, part meditation on movement and meaning, and it’s one of the most thoughtful and grounded climbing books I’ve read in a long time.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Sonnie and I talk about the unexpected ways writing has shaped his life, how his approach to climbing has evolved over the years, and what it’s been like to move from living out of a van to raising a family in the mountains of Canada. We also discuss how he’s stayed grounded throughout his career, his relationship with sponsors like Patagonia, and why gratitude— not rage or ego— has been the driving force behind his decades of commitment to climbing.

Sonnie also opens up about how parenting has shifted his perspective on adventure, freedom, and ambition—and how he and his wife are raising their kids in a way that emphasizes curiosity, effort, and joy. Whether you’re a climber, a writer, a parent, or just someone trying to live a meaningful life, there’s a ton of wisdom in this one.

Sonnie’s new book "Uplifted" is out now, and I highly recommend picking up a copy—you’ll find a link in the episode notes, along with links to everything else we discussed. Hope you enjoy both this conversation and the book.  Thanks for listening. 

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• Sonnie Trotter
• Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sonnie-trotter/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 1:55 - Intro, how Sonnie got into writing
• 4:58 - Influences
• 8:30 - Why write this book now
• 12:40 - Stumbling into the climbing world
• 17:45 - Into the unknown
• 20:27 - Origins of drive
• 25:07 - Climbing’s darkness
• 27:11 - The road to Patagonia
• 32:23 - Parent perspectives
• 36:54 - Becoming a parent
• 42:35 - Getting kids active (a jiu jitsu segway)
• 48:13 - Training, nutrition and getting older
• 52:47 - Race to 9A
• 56:31 - Book recs
• 59:29 - Final words of wisdom — get back to work

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Cassidy Randall is a journalist and author whose work explores the intersections of adventure, history, and the natural world. Her new book, “Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali,” tells the gripping true story of six women who, in 1970, became the first all-female team to summit North America’s tallest mountain. It's a meticulously researched, beautifully written account that brings long-overlooked voices to the forefront of mountaineering history.

As someone with a deep personal interest in Denali, I was especially excited to read this book and speak with Cassidy. In our conversation, we talk not only about the origins of “Thirty Below” and the individual women at the heart of the story, but also about Cassidy’s career as a journalist— how she got started, the path she’s carved through the world of longform storytelling, and how she approaches writing with such clarity, depth, and purpose. She also shares insights into her research process, the challenge of shaping complex narratives, and the broader importance of telling stories that have too often been overlooked or dismissed.

Whether or not you’ve ever set foot on a glacier, Thirty Below offers a deep dive into universal themes— resilience, purpose, and the human desire to explore. It’s a story about ambition and endurance, but also about complexity, contradiction, and the ways women have long carved space for themselves in places that often excluded them. Cassidy brings these histories to life with nuance and empathy, honoring the individuality of each woman while raising timeless questions about legacy, belonging, and what drives us to push beyond our limits. 

Thanks to Cassidy for writing the book and for taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy.

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• Cassidy Randall
• "Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali"
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/cassidy-randall/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 2:06 – Intro, how did Cassidy get into Denali?
• 8:28 – Getting to know Grace
• 13:08 – Landscape of women in climbing
• 18:16 – Margaret and her journey with multiple sclerosis
• 22:39 – Why do people climb mountains?
• 25:38 – Grace at 88, any discontent?
• 28:08 – Ed on his experience climbing Denali
• 31:02 – The process of climbing
• 37:39 – Adventure for the sake of adventure
• 42:23 – Writing advice on structure
• 45:41 – Source change
• 47:07 – Book writing compared with magazine work
• 50:36 – Early creativity threads
• 53:28 – Shifts in the writing industry
• 55:24 – What is journalism’s role anymore?
• 1:00:17 – It’s alive! (The content we’re consuming.)
• 1:01:19 – Denali or McKinley?
• 1:04:37 – Writer recs
• 1:08:03 – Pro tips on being a writer
• 1:10:17 – Wrapping it up

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Sara Domek is Wyoming’s Migration Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. Sara grew up in the small town of Kemmerer and later moved to Pinedale, giving her a rare, firsthand perspective on Wyoming’s working landscapes—both from a natural resources and a conservation standpoint. Her upbringing, paired with years of experience working in nonprofits, agencies, and boots-on-the-ground conservation, makes her uniquely suited to lead TNC’s efforts to protect Wyoming’s world-renowned wildlife migrations.

If you’ve spent any time driving through Wyoming, you’ve probably cruised past some of the most important migration corridors in North America—maybe without even realizing it. Sara and her team are working to keep those landscapes permeable, helping mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and other species continue the seasonal journeys they’ve been making for thousands of years. We talk about the science behind migration, how seemingly small barriers like fences can create big challenges for wildlife, and how collaborative conservation—between landowners, agencies, and nonprofits—can create real, lasting wins.

Sara also shares some fascinating details about Wyoming’s longest mule deer migration, the importance of building trust with local communities, why cheatgrass is a bigger villain than it looks, and how carefully designed wildlife crossings can benefit both animals and people. We also get into her favorite books, why she’s hopeful about the future, and, once again, the simple but powerful idea that success in conservation often comes down to strong relationships.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with someone who truly embodies the spirit of collaborative, community-driven conservation. I hope you enjoy!

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• The Right to Roam: Sustaining Wyoming’s Migratory Herds
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sara-domek

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. 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.

During the last week of every month throughout 2025, 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 and beyond.

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

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 2:50 – Intro, growing up in Wyoming and valuing natural resources
• 6:09 – Pinedale and the Wind Rivers
• 7:15 – Plan after high school
• 10:37 – Finding TNC
• 14:16 – Sara describes her job
• 17:21 – Mule deer and pronghorn migration corridors
• 21:57 – Fencing and migration
• 26:25 – Getting the word out about fencing
• 29:27 – Migration primer: distance, predators and collisions
• 35:54 – Valley of the warm winds
• 42:37 – RCPP programs
• 45:27 – Cheatgrass 101
• 48:54 – Important partners
• 51:08 – Prioritizing projects
• 54:40 – What Sara’s looking forward to
• 57:57 – Where to learn more
• 1:00:22 – Book recs
• 1:03:04 – Parting words

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Cody Wellema is a master hatmaker and the founder of Wellema Hat Co., a highly regarded, California-based custom hat business. For over a decade, Cody built a reputation as one of the country’s premier craftspeople in the art of traditional hatmaking, creating heirloom-quality hats by hand, using vintage tools and techniques that harken back to a slower, more intentional era. His work has been worn by artists, ranchers, musicians, and everyday folks alike, and his shop became not only a destination for finely made hats, but a gathering place rooted in community and craft.

On January 8th of this year, Cody and his family lost their Altadena storefront and workspace in the Eaton Canyon Fire, one of the many devastating fires that destroyed a large part of the greater Los Angeles area in early 2025. In the aftermath, he has navigated an overwhelming combination of grief, logistics, and uncertainty—yet throughout it all, he has maintained a sense of gratitude, humility, and forward-looking optimism that is as rare as it is inspiring. As he puts it, the fire forced a kind of reset—one that, while painful, has given him a blank page and the opportunity to reimagine the next chapter of his creative life.

In this conversation, we talk about Cody’s early entrepreneurial spirit, his deep appreciation for vintage craftsmanship, and how he taught himself the trade by deconstructing old hats and learning from the past. We also explore the role of presence in parenting, the importance of community, and the creative possibilities that can emerge when the old path is unexpectedly cleared. Cody’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and deep care– for people, for his craft, and for doing things the right way.

I was so inspired by Cody’s optimism and gratitude, and I know you will be too. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discussed, including a GoFundMe page that was set up to support Cody and his family during this unexpected time of chaos.

Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoy!

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• Wellema Hat Co.
• Cody on Instagram
• GoFundMe page for the Wellemas
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/cody-wellema/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:30 – Intro, how’s Cody doing?
• 7:04 – His default wiring is optimism
• 8:49 – Setting an example for the kids
• 10:52 – Roots
• 12:41 – Cody’s evolution
• 17:33 – Heading out on his own
• 19:31 – Getting to hats
• 25:50 – Taking apart old hats
• 28:33 – Monetization
• 30:59 – Hindsight and going all in
• 34:41 – The fear of diving in
• 38:33 – Time to define
• 41:14 – More than just hats
• 46:29 – Blessing in the bad
• 51:59 – Moving on
• 56:00 – Cody’s first time voicing his new idea
• 1:04:59 – Taking the compliments
• 1:08:56 – Figuring out a blank slate
• 1:13:00 – Inspiration recs
• 1:18:16 – Final words of wisdom

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This is a special live episode recorded this past March at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and it features a conversation I had the honor of moderating with two powerhouse guests: Cate Havstad-Casad of Range Revolution and Daniel Mouw of Duckworth.

The title of the panel was Farmer-Founded Brands Will Save American Fashion. At first glance, that might sound like a bold claim, but these two are actually doing the work to make it real. Cate is a designer, hatmaker, and regenerative rancher whose company, Range Revolution, is turning discarded cattle hides into regenerative high-end leather goods. Daniel is the president of Duckworth, a Montana-based wool company that’s rebuilding the American supply chain– one sheep, sweater, and ranch at a time.

Together, we dug into some big questions: What happened to American-made textiles? Why are most of us walking around wearing plastic? And what would it look like to rebuild rural economies from the ground up, using natural fibers like leather and wool, raised and processed responsibly, here in the United States? It might sound like we’re talking fashion and manufacturing trends—but this is really a conversation about values, ecosystems, and the future of rural America.

Cate and Daniel are funny, deeply thoughtful, and grounded in the realities of both agriculture and business. They bring hard-earned optimism to a conversation that too often gets bogged down in doom and gloom. And they make a compelling case for why fashion can be a vehicle for stewardship, beauty, and connection to the land. We also had a sharp, engaged audience that asked some truly insightful questions– you’ll hear a few of those toward the end.

Thanks to Cate and Daniel for the amazing conversation, thanks to SXSW for inviting us, and thank you for listening.

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• SXSW
• Range Revolution
• Casad Family Farms
• Duckworth
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sxsw/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 2:10 - Introductions
• 6:35 - A history lesson in US fiber production
• 10:22 - Current supply chain challenges facing producers
• 16:17 - Why natural fibers are superior to synthetics
• 19:17 - The true cost of synthetics and fast fashion
• 23:17 - How Range Revolution and Duckworth are restoring economic power to ag producers
• 27:36 - The unique role of for-profit businesses in solving these challenges
• 33:13 - Positivity as a strategic business decision
• 37:09 - How do you scale this regenerative fashion movement?
• 40:32 - Embracing natural characteristics in design
• 42:06 - How to capture attention in today’s information age
• 46:13 - What would an ideal community support system look like?
• 50:26 - Fabric frequencies!
• 52:53 - How to convert standard retail buyers into regenerative buyers
• 56:40 - Any collaboration with the EU fashion industry?

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Elliot Ross is a photographer and writer whose work focuses on the intersection of landscape, identity, and justice in the American West. His images have appeared in Time, National Geographic, and The New York Times, and he’s known for deeply researched, long-term projects that combine striking visual storytelling with a journalist’s rigor. Whether he's documenting water access on the Navajo Nation or tracing the contours of Glen Canyon as it reemerges, Elliot brings a rare mix of artistry, empathy, and precision to every assignment.

Born in Taiwan and raised on the eastern plains of Colorado, Elliot grew up between cultures and landscapes—an experience that shaped both his worldview and his creative path. He picked up a camera early, inspired by his grandmother’s family albums, and later earned a full-ride to the Savannah College of Art and Design. After college, he cut his teeth in New York City, assisting some of the most high-profile portrait and fashion photographers in the industry. All the while, he was quietly dreaming about building a career on his own terms—one rooted in storytelling, purpose, and the landscapes he still called home.

In this episode, we talk about the early experiences that shaped his artistic voice, the evolution of his career, and how he’s learned to navigate the demands of both commercial and documentary work. Elliot shares the backstory of his recent Time magazine cover story on water equity in the West, a project that involved years of reporting, deep community ties, and even a return to the classroom. We also discuss his thoughts on creative endurance, working across political divides, and the role of photography in fostering empathy and connection.

I’d encourage you to visit Elliot’s website and dig deeper into all of his work, especially his project A Question of Balance, which became the Time magazine feature. You can find links to everything in the episode notes. Thanks to Elliot for the inspiring and timely conversation, and thank you for listening.

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• Elliot Ross
• Time magazine piece
• A Question of Balance
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/elliot-ross/

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation.

To whom much is given, much is expected. This value guides the philosophy behind the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation today.

Committed to its cause and infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, Mighty Arrow aims to invest in solutions that take action on climate change to build a more vibrant future, repair relationships from farm to market to table, heal our connection to the lands and waters we call home, and demand a more just and equitable society.

To learn more about Mighty Arrow’s forward-thinking, optimistic, and visionary work here in the American West and beyond, please visit www.mightyarrow.org.

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:05 – Elliot growing up in Taipei and how his parents met
• 6:00 – Few but vivid memories of Taipei
• 7:09 – The culture shock of moving to eastern Colorado
• 8:25 – How photography came into Elliot’s life
• 10:29 – Reading influences
• 13:16 – Travel bug
• 16:22 – Savannah College of Art and Design
• 18:07 – Parental pressure
• 19:49 – Credit to high school art teachers
• 20:54 – Figuring out photography
• 27:47 – No wavering
• 29:54 – Moving into independent business
• 33:29 – Pitching Carhartt
• 37:03 – Nat Geo ups and downs
• 42:10 – Near-death experiences
• 45:44 – Approaching long-term projects
• 49:35 – Pulling on threads
• 51:45 – Humans and landscapes
• 56:35 – Curiosity as the most authentic de-escalator
• 58:05 – Writing and shooting and doing it all
• 1:02:45 – Response to the Time story
• 1:07:35 – A tale of two places
• 1:13:45 – Using water in the West
• 1:16:35 – The Desiderata creed
• 1:17:05 – Book recs
• 1:23:05 – Parting words

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Aaron Citron is the Associate Director of External Affairs at The Nature Conservancy, where he leads state-level policy engagement across Colorado. His work spans a wide array of conservation priorities, including water management, healthy forests, renewable energy siting, and partnerships with private landowners and tribal nations. Aaron plays a key role in bridging on-the-ground conservation efforts with the legislative and regulatory frameworks that support them. He also helps shape TNC’s strategy around climate and energy policy, working to ensure a rapid but responsible transition to renewable infrastructure.

Aaron grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where early exposure to the desert landscape—and its vital, limited water resources—sparked a lifelong interest in the natural world. After studying history and political science at Emory University, he returned west for law school at the University of Arizona, focusing on water and land use law. His career has taken him from local land trusts to national NGOs like Environmental Defense Fund, always at the intersection of policy, place, and practical impact. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for thoughtful, collaborative work that reflects both his legal background and his deep connection to the West.

In our conversation, Aaron shares a detailed look at how conservation policy gets made—from coalition-building and legislative drafting to navigating complex stakeholder relationships. We discuss examples like Colorado’s response to Clean Water Act rollbacks and new tools to support in-stream flows on the Yampa River. He talks about the balance between urgency and patience, the importance of trust in long-term conservation, and how calm, clearheaded engagement can shape better outcomes. It’s a compelling look at the behind-the-scenes work that makes public-facing conservation efforts possible.

Be sure the check out the episode notes for a full list of everything we discussed and links to everything. Thanks to Aaron for this conversation and thank you for listening. Enjoy!

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• Aaron Citron
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/aaron-citron/

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. 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.

During the last week of every month throughout 2025, 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 and beyond.

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

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:15 – Starting at the beginning, growing up in Tucson
• 7:42 – Underrated Arizona
• 11:23 – From environmental history to law school
• 15:22 – After law school, including a TNC internship
• 18:11 – Landing at the Arizona Land and Water Trust
• 21:24 – Path to TNC
• 24:06 – Aaron’s role at TNC
• 27:42 – Clean Water Act protection project
• 33:40 – Getting the information to the people
• 35:29 – Yampa River Fund
• 40:39 – What makes someone good at policy work?
• 46:11 – The power of relationships
• 49:00 – Federal versus state policy focuses
• 53:40 – Remaining calm
• 57:21 – Book recs
• 1:01:53 – Parting thoughts

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David Cronenwett is the owner of Helena Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a third-degree black belt under American Jiu-Jitsu legend Rafael Lovato Jr. David started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in Seattle in 1996, back when finding a place to train was like stumbling upon a secret society. Over the years, he’s not only refined his own game but has shared this art with hundreds of students in Montana’s capital city since opening his academy in 2016.

But David’s path to Jiu-Jitsu wasn’t exactly a straight shot. He grew up in New Jersey, made his way west to study classical guitar at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle right as the grunge scene was taking over, and eventually found himself in Montana, drawn by the wilderness and a deep-rooted need for something more. That “something more” turned out to be a mix of conservation work, backcountry living, and, of course, Jiu-Jitsu—an art that would come to define much of his life.

In this conversation, we go deep into the philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu: why it grabs certain people and won’t let go, how it humbles you, how it teaches you to remain calm under pressure, and how it can serve as a vehicle for self-improvement. But beyond that, we explore how Jiu-Jitsu teaches lessons that stretch far beyond the mats—lessons about patience, resilience, adaptability, and how to wisely face challenges in life. We also talk about the importance of culture in an academy, how a good training environment can shape people beyond the gym, and how the shared purpose and community of Jiu-Jitsu has a way of bringing together folks from all walks of life.

And for those of you who might be on the fence about trying Jiu-Jitsu, David has plenty to say about why it’s never too late to start and how it can change not just how you move, but how you see the world.

So whether you’re a seasoned grappler or just curious about what makes this martial art so addictive, there’s a lot to learn from this conversation. Enjoy!

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• Helena Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/david-cronenwett/

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 2:15 - Getting to know David
• 4:30 - Seattle to Montana
• 6:30 - And from music to conservation
• 7:45 - Early outdoor interests
• 10:00 - First Jiu-Jitsu memories
• 12:30 - Getting into Jiu-Jitsu
• 16:30 - What is it about Jiu-Jitsu?
• 21:00 - Community on the mat
• 26:45 - Importance of having new trainees
• 29:45 - Where the growth happens
• 31:30 - Maintaining culture
• 35:30 - Lessons from practicing and teaching
• 42:30 - Obsessive types
• 45:15 - Not for the bullies
• 47:30 - Maintaining the practice as life goes on
• 53:30 - Self-defense as an insurance policy
• 1:01:00 - What Jiu-Jitsu gives you
• 1:04:45 - Losing ego
• 1:08:45 - Peaks and valleys
• 1:12:30 - Not about the belts
• 1:14:45 - Book recs
• 1:21:30 - Thoughts on therapy
• 1:23:45 - Parting words

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Helen Augare Carlson and Dylan DesRosier are leaders, community builders, and proud members of the Blackfeet Nation. Helen, the Chair of the Piikani Studies Division at Blackfeet Community College, has dedicated over two decades to education, cultural preservation, and building pathways for future generations. Dylan, the Blackfeet Program Manager with The Nature Conservancy, brings a wealth of experience in conservation work rooted in respect for Indigenous knowledge and long-term community collaboration. In addition to their official roles, they both wear many hats when it comes to serving their communities—mentoring youth, engaging in policy discussions, telling stories, and working on grassroots initiatives that strengthen cultural and environmental resilience.

In this episode, we explore the profound relationships between land, language, and stewardship. Helen shares the moving story behind her Blackfoot name, Dylan reflects on his time working in Glacier National Park and how it shaped his conservation approach, and we dig into the groundbreaking Chief Mountain Initiative—an effort that weaves together conservation, education, and cultural revitalization.

We also discuss the evolving role of conservation organizations, TNC's comprehensive approach to supporting Blackfeet initiatives, the importance of holistic thinking, and why Indigenous leadership is crucial for the future of land stewardship. As usual, we wrap up with some incredible book recommendations that will deepen your understanding of these topics long after the episode ends.

This conversation is rich with wisdom, humor, and insight, and Helen and Dylan make quite a team, bringing their unique expertise and shared passion for their community to this important discussion. I’m so excited for you to hear it. So let’s dive in—here’s my conversation with Helen Augare Carlson and Dylan DesRosier.

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• Helen Carlson
• Dylan DesRosier
• Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/helen-dylan/

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. 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.

During the last week of every month throughout 2025, 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 and beyond.

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

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• 3:03 - Introductions, starting with Helen
• 7:18 - Helen’s Blackfeet names
• 12:18 - When to use “Blackfoot” or “Blackfeet”
• 13:33 - Dylan’s bio and Blackfeet name
• 17:48 - Community health and education
• 23:03 - Why Dylan wanted to plug into TNC
• 26:48 - Blackfeet connection to land
• 30:33 - Helen’s thoughts on TNC
• 36:03 - Face-to-face trust
• 38:48 - Chief Mountain initiative
• 45:48 - Measuring progress on a huge timeframe
• 50:48 - Progress in Helen’s view
• 56:03 - Like biodiversity, human diversity is important, too
• 1:01:03 - What Dylan’s learned from Helen
• 1:03:03 - And what Helen’s learned from Dylan
• 1:06:33 - Book recs
• 1:12:33 - Parting words
• 1:15:03 - A Land Back addendum

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