An Invitation from the Boulder County Nature Association
We invite all to join us for Boulder County Nature Association’s 2026 Ecosymposium! This year we will focus on “Public Lands in Public Hands for the Public Good: Engaging law, policy, and advocacy to protect our shared natural heritage” and discuss approaches to preserving and managing our public lands in a time of change.
Event details:
Date: Saturday, April 4th
Location: The Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder
Time: 9am – 3pm
Catered Lunch: Included with ticket (Catered by Illegal Pete’s)
More information about event and tickets:https://bcna.org/2026ecosymposium/
The Theme:
We all cherish these public lands—our forests, creek, grasslands, and our many parks and trails. Most of us in Boulder County think of public lands as a shared good and a reservoir of natural and cultural bounty held by the government for the benefit of current and future ecosystems, residents, and visitors.
Currently, about 242,000 acres of Boulder County’s roughly 474,000 total acres are held as public open space or federal lands. Thus, this is a particularly apt topic for us at a time when public lands face a range of complex and evolving challenges. Decisions made at the federal, state, and local levels impact funding, staffing, land management priorities, historical interpretations, conservation protections, and land use.
Once land is developed or ecosystems are significantly altered, it can be difficult – or impossible – to fully restore what was lost. Understanding how decisions are made, who is involved, and what tools exist for public engagement is an important part of caring for these shared places.
This year’s ecosymposium will bring together speakers who work at the intersection of ecology, law, policy, and community engagement. Together, we will explore questions such as:
· What does “public interest” mean when it comes to public lands?
· How are decisions about public lands made, and whose voices are included?
· What roles do science, history, and community values play in land stewardship?
· How can individuals and organizations engage constructively to support the long-term health of public lands and to ensure public lands stay in public hands?
This conference is an opportunity to step back from day-to-day demands and to think strategically, together, about how to safeguard the natural and cultural assets that define Boulder County and our region.
Speakers:
Adam Auerbach, former ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park; Founder & Principal, Colorado Public Lands Advocacy & Conservation Expertise (CO-PLACE), LLC.
Kathryn Hahne, Director at New Bridge Strategy, an opinion research company specializing in public policy and campaign research
Brooke Neely, senior research fellow, Center of the American West; faculty affiliate, Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies, University of Colorado Boulder.
Erin Robertson, poet, nature writing teacher, and explorer, erinrobertson.org.
Karen Wilde, Muscogee (Creek) & Pawnee, Native American-American Indian Relations Manager, Boulder County.
Chris Winter, executive director, Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment, University of Colorado Law School.
JD Tanner, Executive Director, NoCo Places, https://www.nocoplaces.com
We hope that you will join us for this important day of learning, reflection, and collaboration!