Emily Barbo, Author at Salazar Center for North American Conservation

The Peregrine Accelerator for Conservation Impact program wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners who have graciously agreed to serve as mentors and proposal evaluators to our applicants.

While only a maximum of 12 teams will be accept into the program, The Center wants to make sure that all applicants walk away with something valuable from the experience since it takes time and resources to develop a proposal. Getting substantive feedback from regional and subject matter experts on the strengths and opportunities for improvement on proposals is one of the significant benefits of applying to this program.

These evaluators were selected for their experience, curiosity, and passion for watershed health, climate resilience, and social equity. They will provide a thorough review of each application submitted, and each applicant team will receive feedback from a minimum of five evaluators to help them strengthen their approach and solutions. Since they play such an important role in the program, take a moment to get to know a few of the evaluators who will be investing their time and energy in this work!

Be sure to check out the full list of evaluators and their bios.

Joni Carswell, Texan by Nature

Joni Carswell is the CEO and President of Texan by Nature (TxN) where she is responsible for leading the mission to bring business and conservation together. In 2011, Mrs. Laura Bush founded Texan by Nature to unite conservation and business leaders who believe the state’s prosperity is dependent on the conservation of our natural resources. The organization amplifies projects and activates new investments in conservation which returns real benefits for people, prosperity, and natural resources.

Prior to Texan by Nature, Joni was the President and CEO of family engagement platform LivingTree, where she drove strategy, technology, and community involvement, helping over a million users at school districts across the country deepen family engagement. Under Carswell’s tenure, LivingTree more than tripled its user base each year, and was also recognized with the Stevie Women in Business Gold Award for Community Involvement Program of the Year and Silver Award for Mobile App of the Year. Previously, Carswell held leadership roles in planning and strategy at Polycom and Dell where she managed three-year planning for multi-billion-dollar product portfolios.

“As a fourth-generation Texan, it is an absolute honor to lead Texan by Nature in our effort to becoming a greater catalyst for natural resource conservation in Texas and the nation,” said Joni when she was named to the leadership position at Texas by Nature. “I am excited to take the helm at TxN and apply the growth strategy, data-based frameworks, and collaboration that have yielded success in business and technology. I look forward to working with all TxN partners, Texas communities, industries, and leadership in creating a true conservation economy in Texas – one that benefits our prosperity, people, and natural resources for generations to come.”

Joni is a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management (Masters, Business Administration) and Northwestern McCormick School of Engineering (Masters, Engineering Management), is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, and served on the Advisory Board for the Kellogg Women’s Business Association. Joni holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University and currently serves on the External Advisory Board for the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management.

Rio de la Vista, Salazar Rio Grande Del Norte Center at Adams State University

Rio shares her experience with local, regional, and international nonprofit organizations, land and water issues, community groups, and landowners to help grow the next generation of conservation and water leaders.

She is the former director of the Salazar Rio Grande Del Norte Center at Adams State University, where she led the Center’s two main initiatives:

The Rio Grande Natural Area Initiative: Starting in 2018, the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center at Adams State University launched an initiative for the congressionally designated Rio Grande Natural Area (RGNA), encompassing the Rio Grande River corridor in Colorado from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge south to the New Mexico state line (see map). This effort is in conjunction with community, government, and organizational partners to implement the recommendations of the RGNA Commission and their Management Plan released in 2015.

The Water Education Initiative: This effort engages Adams State University in water issues and opportunities to enhance its relevance to the community and the changing economy, and to serve as an educational and project partner to increase water literacy, assist in projects, and grow the next generation of water leaders. A key element of this initiative is the integration of water educational content into academic courses across disciplines and to offer students and the community compelling activities that deepen their water knowledge.

Prior to joining the Salazar Rio Grande Center, Rio worked with the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust for nearly 20 years, helping to develop and implement the Rio Grande Initiative, which conserved over 25,000 acres of land and water along the Rio Grande and Conejos River. She is the environmental representative on the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable in addition to several other committee and board positions.

She was honored with the National Wetlands Award in 2011 for her work in the San Luis Valley. In 2020, she was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award by the Regents of the University of Colorado, for her years of work in conservation. In 2022, she was named a Conservation Hero for Advocacy by the Keep It Colorado coalition of land trusts. Rio is grateful to live on a family ranch at the headwaters of the Rio Grande in Colorado, and treasures time spent in the mountains and on rivers.

Nathan Fey, Mighty Arrow Family Foundation

Nathan is the Land & Water Program Director for the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation (MAFF), underscoring the foundation’s dedication to climate action, clean water and public lands.

“As we strive to create bold and transformational change, intentionally spending down our fund in the coming years, Nathan will be a vital part of executing that strategy in a way that brings the greatest benefit to our NGO partners and western landscapes,” said Jordana Barrack, Executive Director of the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation. “His expertise on land and water issues and experience engaging diverse partners will help ensure our grants have the greatest possible impact at a time when action is needed most.”

Previously, Nathan served the State of Colorado as the Director of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Division within the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, where he oversaw the cultivation of Colorado’s $62.5 Billion Outdoor Recreation Economy. He partnered directly with the Governor’s office to create policies that promote business recovery and growth, the conservation and stewardship of Colorado’s public lands and waters, advance the state’s education and workforce development programs, and improve public health and wellness through outdoor participation.

Prior to working for the State, Nathan was active in the non-profit conservation community and has spent over 20 years working with federal and state agencies, national and statewide non-profits, and local community groups across the Southern Rockies and intermountain west.

Do you have an innovative idea for conservation solutions in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo River Basin? Do you want to connect with a network of industry leaders and experts like those mentioned here? Then you should apply for the Peregrine Accelerator! Learn more about the proposal requirements and be sure to submit your application, in English or in Spanish, before the deadline on Monday, November 21 at 5:00 p.m. MST.

Learn More & Apply

The Salazar Center brings together diverse conservation leaders to share best practices and lessons learned, with a focus on equity, climate resilience, and landscape connectivity. In the face of increasing urbanization, with over half of the global population living in cities, innovative solutions to create greener, thriving urban environments are essential for both people and nature.

Historically, most resources for conservation efforts have been invested in areas considered wild and therefore less populated. Preserving these “untouched” places is critical for many reasons, but we must strive for more. The administrations of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have lofty intentions to build international environmental cooperation through nature-based solutions, increased land protection, innovative policies, and more. And since the narrative around cities has typically focused on the negative effects of urbanization, it’s no wonder they have largely been left out of the larger conversation. While industrial development and the transformation of landscapes to concrete jungles has had adverse effects, it is time to give more recognition and resources to the opportunities in cities to contribute to meaningful conservation efforts.

As the tide turns, efforts within cities are transforming emissions-laden human activities such as transportation, energy production, and waste generation. For example, Electric public transport, powered through renewable energy could prevent 250 million tons of carbon emissions by 2030, as well as improving people’s health, and lowering noise and air pollution in our cities. As financial and capacity-building resources for conservation are being increased through new programs, it is important to elevate the work being done in cities to help direct resources to programs where they are needed.

In addition to issues around funding and resource allocation, the structures of regulatory frameworks and social landscape of cities presents its own unique set of challenges. All of which is compounded by historical practices, such as redlining where investments in BIPOC neighborhoods were not equitably distributed, leading to long lasting effects on green spaces and public health. Equity must be at the center of all urban conservation efforts. This isn’t a new conversation, but it is one that must be amplified.

Interested in digging in deeper? We co-hosted a webinar with the CSU Center for Environmental Justice focused on unequal access to nature, greenspace, and public lands.

As urban conservation continues to gain momentum, the impacts for humans and other species will be tremendous. Research shows that urban greening can lead to benefits such as lower temperatures, cleaner air, and safer space for communities to gather. Creating urban food systems can increase access and knowledge for communities to connect with their food sources. Building resilient water systems will ensure long term planning for worst case scenarios that does not leave communities vulnerable to years of drought. And as new public-private partnerships are formed through this knowledge sharing, we can ensure taxpayer money is being directed to communities and organizations who could most benefit from urban conservation.

City populations are only expected to continue increasing into the future. Will cities be ready to meet sustainable development goals that protect humans and biodiversity?

The Center’s latest webinar series “Urban Conservation Stories: Water, Biodiversity, and Connectivity in Cities” builds on our learnings and relationships from the 2021 Thriving Cities Challenge, which supported the work of 15 community-led organizations in cities throughout North America by providing funding, capacity-building resources, and mentorship. We are convening experts from across North America to share their experiences and victories in the areas of water, biodiversity, and connectivity in urban conservation.

Participants will be introduced to new tools, best practices, and innovative efforts happening in cities throughout North America. By focusing on a core theme each episode, our guest speakers will have the opportunity to dive deeply into their specific areas of expertise. As biodiversity continues to disappear at alarming rates, practitioners need to be able to highlight what they are doing to record and protect vital species. As droughts continue to worsen, it is important to share what cities are already doing to build climate resilience. As countries make lofty goals for landscape connectivity, the role of cities must be understood to aid in spatial planning. This series will advance solutions and connect diverse leaders with new resources and ways of thinking.

Through community empowerment, knowledge sharing, and the greening of cities, the Salazar Center believes cities will be a part of the solution moving forward! We envision green cities where equitable access to nature is the norm and communities are resilient in the face of a changing climate.

We hope you will join us in this exciting series. These webinars are free and include Spanish translation. Registration is required to attend.

Urban Conservation Stories: Water, Biodiversity, and Connectivity in Cities

Cultivating Urban Biodiversity

November 9, 2022

Urban areas aren’t often recognized for their biodiversity, however research shows that many cities host a critical array of plant and animal life. Panelists from Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Toluca, Mexico will share how they are working to conserve biodiversity in each of their cities.

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Conserving Water in Arid Cities

December 1, 2022

Cities across the world are experiencing unprecedented water management challenges. This webinar will bring together experts from Las Vegas and Los Angeles to share management strategies in different urban sectors to use less water and support greener cities.

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Connecting Cities to Landscapes

January 18, 2023

How can cities positively contribute to landscape connectivity for plants and animals that need intact landscapes to survive? Experts from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will explore how cities can contribute to national conservation targets connectivity through policy, federal support, and NGO-led work.

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Author: Emily Barbo

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Urban Conservation Stories: Water, Biodiversity, and Connectivity in Cities