"National Forests are important to me because they are where I go to get away from it all."
BIO
Nick joined the NFF in November 2023 as the Gunnison County Stewardship Coordinator. This unique position, based in Gunnison Colorado provides a critical partnership between Gunnison County’s Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee and the NFF. He helps build public land and stewardship capacity within Gunnison County and assists the STOR Committee in managing an outdoor recreation based economy in a manner that is sustainable and aligns with the values of the local community.
Nick grew up 30 miles north of Gunnison in Crested Butte, CO. He spends most of his free time outdoors enjoying the beautiful mountains and open spaces that make the area so special. His passion for the outdoors led him to pursue a career in land management, and his position with the NFF is a perfect fit, blending his passion for the environment with the love for his home valley.
Prior to working for the NFF, Nick worked on and managed the local trail maintenance and stewardship crew, the Crested Butte Conservation Corps. In 2021 Nick earned his Master of Environmental Management degree from Western Colorado University. While earning his degree he assisted the NFF, STOR Committee, and the USFS in the creation and installation of infrastructure for over 200 designated campsites surrounding Crested Butte. This effort has greatly reduced the negative impacts dispersed camping can have on the environment and is a great example of the projects being accomplished by the partnership between the NFF and the STOR Committee.