Hello COSA Members,
As open space professionals, you know that protecting and preserving Colorado’s special places requires more than good ideas. It requires the ability to facilitate conversations, engage diverse stakeholders, and build durable partnerships that can move conservation and land use initiatives forward.
We invite you to join the 2025 Facilitation, Engagement, and Collaboration in Environmental Conflicts Training, taking place October 21–23, 2025 at the Museum of Boulder in Boulder, CO.
This three-day, interactive program is designed for practitioners working in land conservation, open space management, recreation, water, and community resilience. It offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the skills most essential to COSA’s mission of sharing information, raising awareness, and fostering partnerships.
What you’ll learn and practice:
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Facilitation techniques to lead inclusive discussions about conservation, land use, and recreation management
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Coalition-building strategies to convene and sustain partnerships across agencies, landowners, land trusts, and nonprofits
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Conflict resolution approaches to address tensions and balance competing interests
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Engagement best practices for equitable, innovative dialogue with communities and stakeholders
Why it’s valuable for COSA members:
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Open space programs often navigate overlapping jurisdictions and diverse community expectations
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Building and sustaining cross-sector partnerships is critical for implementing large-scale projects
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Strengthened facilitation and collaboration skills ensure that Colorado’s open spaces continue to thrive in the face of competing priorities
Training Details:
- When: October 21–23, 2025
- Where: Museum of Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Tuition: $1,250 (includes training materials and refreshments)
- Registration: click here
The training will feature hands-on activities and real-world simulations, providing practical tools you can immediately apply in your work with open space programs, communities, and partners.
Seats are still available, but space is limited. We encourage COSA members to register now and bring these valuable skills back to your teams and communities.
If you have any questions, please contact my colleague Anderson Cole at acole.
Sincerely,
Laura Hickey