During the first week in September, we had the opportunity to attend one of our favorite conferences—the 2024 Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit. Representing Peaks to People Water Fund and the Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership, we were surrounded by passionate individuals all working toward a common goal: ensuring the long-term health and resilience of Colorado’s forests and watersheds through collaboration.
The summit, held in beautiful Durango Colorado, revolved around a theme that hits close to home: Scaling and Sustaining Local Impact. The focus was clear—how do we bridge the gap between the large-scale initiatives and the vital, on-the-ground work happening in local communities? Southwest Colorado has long been a beacon of innovative multi-level collaboration, and this summit drew on those successes and challenges to explore practical solutions for our work.
What is the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit?
For the past three years, this summit has brought together leaders from forest collaboratives across the state to share their successes, challenges, and lessons learned. It’s a place where collaborative efforts are celebrated, and new ideas are sparked. This event also serves as a critical space for the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Network (CFCN) to build momentum and forge new partnerships.
This year, about 100 of us gathered to learn, share, and connect. The energy in the room was palpable, filled with people committed to tackling Colorado’s forest and watershed challenges head-on.
A Day Full of Insight and Connection
The summit kicked off with an engaging networking evening, where leaders from various organizations shared their recent collaborative achievements. Danny Margoles (Executive Director, Mancos Conservation District), Jason Lawhon (US Forest Service), Ashley Downing (Executive Director, Wildfire Adapted Partnership), and Rebecca Samulski (Executive Director, Fire Adapted Colorado) set the stage with compelling stories of progress and partnership in the region.
The next morning began with a moving land acknowledgment by James Calabaza of Trees, Water, and People who reminded us of the deep, historical connections Indigenous communities have with these landscapes. It was a grounding moment that set the tone for collaboration that values all perspectives.
Throughout the day, we heard from local leaders like La Plata County Commissioner Clyde Church and San Juan National Forest Supervisor Dave Neely. Commissioner Church’s words, “Risk drives our motivation, and mitigation is not one and done but a continuous effort,” is true for everyone working in this space. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder of the constant work required to build resilience in our communities and ecosystems.
Forest Supervisor Neely acknowledged the challenges of collaboration but emphasized the importance of pushing through for the greater good.
Diving In
One of the key sessions, Bridging Large-Scale Initiatives to Local Action, resonated deeply. We explored real-world examples of how local expertise and buy-in are critical for the success of broader initiatives. It was a chance to dive into the complexities of working with various stakeholders—something we know all too well at Peaks to People and the Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership.
The session gave us practical tools to navigate the intricate relationships we manage. Whether it was learning more about the Colorado Forest Resilience Planning Guide or the successes of the Central Colorado Forest Collaborative, the insights were invaluable.
Later in the day, we discussed how to maintain momentum on local projects when directives from higher-ups change. Having been in the trenches ourselves, balancing the needs of federal, state, and local partners, this was an essential conversation. We can’t always control external changes, but we can be adaptable, nimble, and proactive in keeping our work moving forward.
The final session, Empowering Local Collaboratives, was a lively and interactive experience. We got out of our seats, connected with others, and discussed ways Colorado’s land management agencies can better support place-based collaboratives like ours. It’s always refreshing to hear from agency leaders like Matt McCombs from the Colorado State Forest Service and Chris Sturm from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, who are open to hearing our ideas and adapting their approaches to better meet local needs.
Collaboration Is Who We Are
One of the most inspiring moments of the summit came from Alex Handloff of the Mountain Studies Institute. His message was simple but profound: “WHAT WE DO pales in comparison to WHO WE ARE. Collaboration depends on who we are. Be real, connect, transcend.”
It’s a reminder that the work we do is not just about checking off tasks or meeting goals. It’s about building authentic relationships, breaking down silos, and creating solutions that benefit everyone.
An Evening of Celebration and Post Summit Reflection
After a day packed with learning and networking, the evening was a chance to unwind, socialize, and celebrate our shared commitment to collaborative work. It was a reminder of the strong community we’ve built and the collective impact we can achieve.
Year after year, the Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit stands out as a highlight of our professional journey. It’s not just a conference; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and community. The insights gained and connections made are invaluable, reinforcing why we are passionate about the work we do at Peaks to People and within the Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership.
If you’re involved in collaborative work or simply enthusiastic about environmental progress, we highly recommend attending next year’s summit. It’s a vibrant, thought-provoking event that brings together the best minds and hearts in the field. Here’s to another year of impactful collaboration and continued success in our shared mission!