Conservation Leadership through Learning Program

🍄 Another student op-ed has been published, and this one shines a spotlight on an often overlooked part of our natural world.

Check out Jaida Spendelow’s article in Earth.org, “It Is Time We Give Fungi the Recognition They Deserve.” In the piece, Jaida explores the critical ecological role fungi play in sustaining ecosystems and makes the case for why fungi conservation deserves far more attention in environmental conversations and policy.

🔗 Read the full article: https://earth.org/it-is-time-we-give-fungi-the-recognition-they-deserve/

👏 Great work, Jaida!

Here's How You Can Support Fungi Conservation | Earth.Org You can support fungi conservation by joining a growing global initiative for fungi protection or adopting mycologically-inclusive language.

This Earth Day, we’re excited to spotlight another student op-ed!

Check out Alanie “Ally” Rael’s op-ed in Source NM, “New Mexicans over nuclear: Demand a governor that stands for us.” In the piece, Ally calls for stronger accountability around nuclear facilities and urges that protecting communities and environments be a top priority for New Mexico’s next governor.

It’s a compelling reminder that environmental stewardship is deeply connected to public health, justice, and leadership, as well as that advocacy matters.

Read the full article: https://sourcenm.com/2026/04/22/new-mexicans-over-nuclear-demand-a-governor-that-stands-for-us/

Good work, Ally!

New Mexicans over nuclear: Demand a governor that stands for us • Source New Mexico A native New Mexican and graduate student in conservation leadership says nuclear accountability should be top priority for next governor.

Another CLTL op-ed was published! We’re excited to share Carrie Rossman’s recently published article in the Loveland Reporter-Herald, “A winning solution for kids and pollinators.”

In the piece, Carrie explores the intersection of youth mental health and the decline of pollinator habitats while offering a hopeful, community-driven solution. By engaging young people in creating pollinator gardens, she highlights how connection to nature can support both ecological health and personal well-being.

Great work, Carrie!
Article (subscription needed): https://www.reporterherald.com/2026/04/15/carrie-rossman-a-winning-solution-for-kids-and-pollinators-guest-opinion/

It’s that time of year again - our current cohort is diving into timely conservation issues through op-eds, and we’re excited to see the first publication of the season!

Check out Natalya Swartz’s piece, “Michiganders need to demand transparency on data centers, AI”. It’s a call for accountability at the intersection of technology and environmental stewardship.

Read the full article:

Viewpoint: Michiganders need to demand transparency on data centers, AI The conversation around AI has always revolved around water which is exactly why residents of the Great Lakes State should be keeping an eye on AI.

🌲 CLTL Reunion & 15 Years of Impact Celebration 🎉
**CLTL alumni, please fill out this survey!**

The CLTL faculty and staff are exploring the possibility of hosting a two-day CLTL Reunion and 15-Year Impact Celebration in the upcoming academic year, and we’d love your input. We’re reaching out to gauge alumni interest as we shape this event. Our current vision includes a first day dedicated exclusively to CLTL alumni, featuring a social gathering and a series of alumni-focused activities. Day two would expand to include program partners, a keynote speaker, conversations about the future of the program, and collaborative sessions to strengthen a community of practice in conservation leadership. The event will be free to attend, and family members are welcome.

CLTL Reunion and 15 Years of Impact in Conservation Leadership Celebration The CLTL faculty and staff are exploring the possibility of hosting a two-day CLTL Reunion and 15-Year Impact Celebration in the upcoming academic year, and we’d love your input. We’re reaching out to gauge alumni interest as we shape this event. Our current vision includes a first day dedicated...

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is searching for individuals passionate about providing youth with transformative outdoor experiences to join the Outdoor Equity Grant Board. Board members are responsible for the governance of the Outdoor Equity Grant Program. The deadline for the application is Dec. 21, 2025.

CPW is seeking to fill the following four board member seats:
-One member with experience in providing outdoor education programs
-One member personally impacted by and with experience in disability-accessible outdoor programming
-Two youth members (age 25 and younger) who come from communities impacted by the grant program

The Board Member Application and additional application materials are available on the CPW website.

Outdoor Equity Grant Board The board is responsible for the governance of the grant program and may award grants to applicants that will directly utilize the grant to engage eligible youth and their families by reducing barriers to the Colorado outdoors.

Congrats to Cohort 14!!!

💧 Immersion Week: Exploring Water Governance in Action 💧

Last week, students dove deep into the complex world of water governance — examining how decisions about this vital resource are made at local, state, national, and international levels.

Using the C9 Summit, the Colorado River Compact, and the Colorado General Assembly’s Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee as case examples, we explored how collaboration, negotiation, and policy shape water management across scales.

Our experience included a tour of the Colorado State Capitol and conversations with a diverse group of experts and practitioners, including:
🌊 Josh Boissevain, Colorado Water Trust
💧 Karen Schlatter, Colorado Water Center
🌍 Marc Danile Heintz, International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine
🐠Rob McInnes, RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd.

This week reminded us that effective water governance requires balancing science, law, community values, and the realities of a changing climate — across both borders and generations.

CLTL 15 hit the road! 🚗🌿

On Friday, our cohort visited the I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass to explore how collaboration and creativity can drive conservation success.

We were joined by representatives from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Douglas Land Conservancy — three key partners demonstrating how multi-level governance and innovative design can promote wildlife biodiversity and connectivity.

A huge thank you to Chuck Attardo-CDOT, Brandon Marette-CPW, Evan Liddy-DLC, and CLTL alumna Kaitlyn Stabell-DLC for making the day such a valuable and inspiring learning experience! 👏

In recognition of , we wanted to share a free asynchronous online tribal engagement training series built with natural resource practitioners in mind. This course is built to be an informative tool for anyone that would like to know more about tribes and native citizens!

"The development of the Indian Country (IC) tribal engagement series was grounded in the understanding that you can’t work with tribes in the United States without first outlining the long and complicated history of tribes and tribal governments. The mantra became “effective tribal engagement starts with knowledge and context.” IC was developed as two courses; 101 lays out the history and context for tribal engagement across the country, while course 102 builds upon the fundamentals, focusing specifically on tribes located in Washington State."

Course: Indian Country 101 Not a practitioner? No problem. This course is will also be an informative tool for anyone that would like to know more about tribes and native citizens!