Janae’s innate love of wildlife and nature started from early childhood and led her into a career of environmental science. Born in southern Arizona, she eventually earned her B.S. in environmental biology from Northern Arizona University. After graduating, her journey took her around the world, from sailing in the Caribbean to seven years in the U.S. Antarctic Program. Her interests in conservation eventually brought her to Northern Colorado, where she earned her Master’s from Colorado State University and has focused on conservation in Northern Colorado’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) since. Janae currently works in the Fire, Fuels and Fireside division within the Colorado State Forest Service.

Kim’s love of the outdoors started in childhood when her parents purchased a property on a lake in the Adirondacks in 1972, where Middle Saranac Lake was accessible only by boat and without electricity. The prior owners left everything, from books to bearskins with heads. Kim’s bookworm status preceded her and she read every old book in the place, with one book in particular standing out, Woodswoman by Anne La Bastille -a 1958 CSU alumni herself- which first sparked Kim’s dreams of living outdoors. Later, Kim and her husband would spend their days and vacations visiting and experiencing firsthand the wonders of the natural world. As grandparenting entered her life in a big way, she now looks to the future. She wants all that she has enjoyed to be available to them.

Alyssa grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota where she learned to live and work in harmony with mother nature. She moved to Colorado in 2016 and found herself diving even more into land stewardship and conservation. She was a farmer in the Livermore and Red Feather Lakes area for several years providing fresh, local produce to the community. She also is a volunteer forest service ranger for the Poudre Wilderness Volunteer organization under the Canyon Lakes Ranger District working to help preserve and protect our local forest service land. Now, Alyssa serves as the Land Steward for the nearby Drala Mountain Center and has been pivotal in local conservation projects.

Chris is our mountain farming and permaculture expert! Owner of Gordon Creek Farms, located on the banks of Gordon Creek at 6200’ elevation, Chris has worked tirelessly to provide locally grown chemical-free produce for our rural communities. Her focus on maintaining healthy soils and communities both above and below ground is a priority at Gordon Creek Farm. She has a plethora of knowledge about our region and actively works towards finding more ways to support her community. Chris is a local stakeholder and resident.

Kristy Gungler is a seeker, teacher and connector. She is a mama, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She holds certifications in Ayurvedic Health Counseling, Forest Therapy, yoga + clinical aromatherapy. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and an associates degree in Veterinary Technology. Kristy is a nature-worshiper whose deep desire and calling is to re-connect humans to nature for the betterment of themselves, their communities, and our beautiful planet, Earth. To help others cultivate a strong sense of belonging + connection with the Earth, and with her rhythms and cycles. As we heal, the Earth heals. As the Earth heals, we heal. Through her Earth Bird Wholebeing practice, she offers Ayurvedic Health counseling, guided Forest Therapy walks, seasonal community counseling and workshops, and is a small-batch distiller of aromatic and therapeutic hydrosols.

Alyssa is a natural resources professional with a passion for the conservation of Colorado's natural habitats. She has worked with federal, state, and private agencies to conduct native, threatened, and endangered species conservation research, protect watersheds and forests, and manage invasive species. Through understanding the science of natural resources as well as her own place in nature, she aims to protect and be of service to the natural world by working to improve, maintain, and support ecosystem health. As the former Land Steward at Drala Mountain Center, she was responsible for the sustainable use, management, and conservation of over six hundred acres of montane forest, grasslands, and streams. Today, Alyssa is working to complete her Fellowship with Rocky Mountai Research Center on watershed restoration.

Darlene wears a few hats in our rural community; she’s the working Executive Director of the North 40 Mountain Alliance, a local NGO working towards making Larimer County’s rural communities resilient by supporting residents prepare for emergencies, keeping communities up to date and connected during emergencies, and by providing a strong and rich network of tools and resources to help rebound after disaster strikes. She also serves on the Healthy Larimer Committee, and is a rural stakeholder and resident within our community.