WHEN AND WHERE
March 23, 2022 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Rag and Bale (click to visit website or click address below for directions)
1401 Zuni St., Suite 106
Denver, CO 80204
720-486- 9798
Located off I-25 & 8th Ave.
ABOUT
In 2023, we are excited to continue sharing, building, and strengthening our networks, practices, and communication. The COCEWL Annual Summit has been a space where we’ve been able to come together, put our words into action, and step into another year of addressing an increasingly dry climate. This year, we hope you will join us as we explore the places where big changes, collaboration, and hope all intersect.
Historically, this summit has hosted a large variety of practitioners with a focus on agricultural support and conservation organizations, agencies, and groups. We invite all to attend, and we hope you take a minute to invite others who you think would benefit from a space focused on brainstorming better ways to collaborate for more productive and healthy working lands in Colorado.
March 23, 2022 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Rag and Bale (click to visit website or click address below for directions)
1401 Zuni St., Suite 106
Denver, CO 80204
720-486- 9798
Located off I-25 & 8th Ave.
ABOUT
In 2023, we are excited to continue sharing, building, and strengthening our networks, practices, and communication. The COCEWL Annual Summit has been a space where we’ve been able to come together, put our words into action, and step into another year of addressing an increasingly dry climate. This year, we hope you will join us as we explore the places where big changes, collaboration, and hope all intersect.
Historically, this summit has hosted a large variety of practitioners with a focus on agricultural support and conservation organizations, agencies, and groups. We invite all to attend, and we hope you take a minute to invite others who you think would benefit from a space focused on brainstorming better ways to collaborate for more productive and healthy working lands in Colorado.
Summit Agenda
This schedule is subject to change; details will be added as they are finalized.
Summit Speakers
Dusty Downey is the Audubon Conservation Ranching Manager for Audubon Rockies and was born and currently lives with his wife and two daughters on a working cattle ranch in Northeast Wyoming. Dusty has extensive experience with cattle production, supply chain development, and animal husbandry and he oversees all aspects of the Conservation Ranching Program across the Rockies and over 2 million acres including certification, marketing, science and outreach.
Lance and Lisa Wheeler and family operate Rafter W Ranch in Simla Colorado. Rafter W produces grass-fed, Grass-finished beef and lamb along with pastured poultry in a holistically managed grazing program. The full product line is marketed direct to consumers in Colorado and surrounding states. Lance and Lisa are passionate about building relationships that will ensure the future of locally raised food and vibrant communities.
Tori Kauffman is the Project Manager for Colorado Agricultural Drought Advisors. Tori began her food
systems career in the food service industry, where six years of working in kitchens with small teams gave her an appreciation for serving and connecting with people. In 2021, she received her master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems from the University of Colorado in Boulder. During her graduate work, Tori discovered a love for engaging with farmers and ranchers. She enjoys learning from the expertise and experience of others, and she is passionate about connecting individuals with varying background and beliefs over common values in order to effectively face shared challenges.
systems career in the food service industry, where six years of working in kitchens with small teams gave her an appreciation for serving and connecting with people. In 2021, she received her master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems from the University of Colorado in Boulder. During her graduate work, Tori discovered a love for engaging with farmers and ranchers. She enjoys learning from the expertise and experience of others, and she is passionate about connecting individuals with varying background and beliefs over common values in order to effectively face shared challenges.
Diane Lapierre started her library career with a passion for children's literacy and has worked in a variety of roles in public libraries since she got her start volunteering in her elementary school library in Loveland, CO. As Director of Poudre Libraries, Diane works closely with community members, staff, and the Library Board to create opportunities and build connections to strengthen the community. With a strong foundation in advocacy and public service, Diane shares her commitment to providing dynamic, relevant library services to the people of northern Colorado.
Diane and her family currently live in west Loveland where they regularly see elk and deer wandering through their neighborhood. Dance has long been a part of Diane’s life and she regularly performs with regional flamenco dance companies.
Laura Bohannon: With a background in both Human Sciences & Sustainability from Colorado State University & Colorado Mountain College, Laura was able to find the perfect home in Eagle County working for her local Conservation District representing agriculture, people, and natural resource management. She has traveled to many depths of the world, learning about various cultures, languages, and ecosystems only to discover that her favorite place in the world is right here in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Her passion for soil health and regenerative food systems is still in its youth, but then again so is she, which makes this Annual Summit's topic the perfect opportunity to discuss collaboration, growth and envisioning the world through a holistic lens.
Diana Lane leads The Nature Conservancy’s thriving rivers and sustainable water supplies strategy in Colorado. The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. In that capacity, she works with partners to create and implement water and watershed management solutions to increase resilience in the face of drought, climate change, and increased water demand. Diana has expertise in restoration ecology and planning, climate adaptation, and management of public funding. She participated in the 2022 Water Leaders program from Water Education Colorado. She currently sits on the advisory board for CSU’s Center for Collaborative Conservation. Diana holds an MS in Rangeland Ecosystem Science from Colorado State University and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago