Contributors

Brendan Boepple

Brendan Boepple is the program coordinator for the 2011-2012 State of the Rockies Project. Originally from Wilton, Conn., Brendan graduated from Colorado College May 2011 with a Political Science major and an Environmental Issues minor. While growing up, Brendan developed a love for the outdoors and the environment as his family traveled to many national parks and he later worked with environmental organizations like Trout Unlimited and his local conservation land trust. He spent the fall semester of 2009 studying International Relations in Geneva, Switzerland, and hopes to eventually pursue a career in foreign policy. His interests include skiing and fly-fishing, two activities that drew himto the Rocky Mountain region.

Matthew C. Gottfried

Matthew C. Gottfried is the GIS technical director at Colorado College and the 2011-12 technical liaison for the State of the Rockies Project, overseeing tasks including data assimilation, GIS analysis, and logistics management. He received his B.S. (1999) in Field Biology and Environmental Studies from Ohio Northern University and his M.A. (2005)in Geography and Planning from University of Toledo where his focus was on land use planning and GIS. Matt’s regional research focus includes studying the biogeography of critical species, land use planning, and conservation management practices of local natural resources.

Sally Hardin

Sally Hardin is a student researcher for the 2011-12 Rockies project. From Takoma Park, Md., Sally graduated in May 2012 with a major in Environmental Policy and a double minor in Music and African Studies. Growing up near the Shenandoah Mountains and the Potomac River, she fell completely in love with the outdoors but quickly saw the destruction that excessive human presence inflicts on this environment. Sally spent the first semester of last year studying Wildlife Management in Kenya and Tanzania, and was fascinated to see the similarities and differences in socio-environmental issues between East Africa and the American West. In her free time, Sally loves to run, rock climb, and play the tuba.

Walter E. Hecox

Walter E. Hecox is professor of economics and environmental science, and project director for the State of the Rockies Project at Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Walt received his B.A. degree from Colorado College (1964) and an M.A. (1967) and Ph.D. (1970) from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. He teaches courses in ecological economics and sustainable development. He has conducted research and taken leave to work for the World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Energy, and Colorado Department of Natural Resources. He is author of "Charting the Colorado Plateau: an Economic and Demographic Exploration" (The Grand Canyon Trust, 1996), co-author of "Beyond the Boundaries: the Human and Natural Communities of the Greater Grand Canyon" (Grand CanyonTrust, 1997), and co-editor of the Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Cards.

Warren King

Warren King is a student researcher for the 2011-2012 State of the Rockies Project. Originally from Essex, Conn., Warren is an Environmental Policy major. He developed his love for the environment at an early age while taking summer camping trips with his family. He spent his junior year assisting Professor Walt Hecox with various research assignments, and intends to pursue a law degree. His interests include skiing, backpacking, and participating on Colorado College’s varsity men’s soccer team. It was these activities that drew him to the Rocky Mountain region.

Carson McMurray

Carson McMurray is a 2011-2012 student researcher from Chapel Hill, N.C., and graduated in May 2012 with a degree in Environmental Science. His interests in environmental issues originate from his family’s obsession with fishing and have grown during his time at Colorado College. Carson specializes in work with GIS mapping and has combined this specialization with his environmental studies to help people see environmental issues through a new perspective. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, mountain biking and, of course, fishing.

Zak Podmore

Zak Podmore is a field researcher for the 2011-2012 State of the Rockies project. He grew up in Glenwood Springs, Colo., where he came to appreciate the waters of the Rocky Mountains over the course of a childhood shaped by winters skiing on mountain slopes and summers floating through the arid sandstone canyons of the San Juan, Dolores, Green, and Colorado Rivers. A long-time kayaker and rafter, Zak’s love of wilderness rivers has taken him to Mexico, Canada, Ecuador, and throughout the American West. He hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the Colorado River basin by researching the water issues currently facing Southwestern communities and by exploring the rivers that fuel them. He graduated from CC in May 2011 with a degree in Philosophy and a minor in Psychoanalysis.

Will Stauffer-Norris

Will Stauffer-Norris is a field researcher for the 2011-2012 State of the Rockies project. He was born in Moscow, Idaho, grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia, and graduated from Colorado College in May 2011 with an Environmental Science degree. Starting from early childhood float trips in Idaho, Will has paddled rivers in the U.S., Canada, Chile, and Argentina. He intends to combine his passions for wild rivers, visual art, and adventure to document environmental issues surrounding the Colorado River for the 2011-12 Rockies Project.

Alex Suber

Alex Suber is the State of the Rockies videographer and a member of the Colorado College class of 2015. He was born and raised in the hills of Northern California and later moved to Highland Park, Ill. This past summer Alex interned for Bitter Jester Creative, a documentary film company, while also working on his own documentary. Alex has no idea what he will major in, but has a strong passion for environmentalism and cinematography. These two interests have led him to become involved with the State of the Rockies Project. When he’s not making a movie, Alex enjoys playing the banjo, hiking, and working at the farm.

Ben Taber

Ben Taber is a student researcher for the 2011-12 State of the Rockies Project and a Colorado Springs native. A graduate of Coronado High School, he graduated from Colorado College in May 2012 with a degree in Physics and a Mathematics minor. He is a varsity cross country and track athlete. Politically active, Taber was elected to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, interned in the U.S. Senate, and co-chairs the CC Democrats. He is interested in trail running, fishing, and camping, and desires to pursue a synthesis between science and policy.

Natalie Triedman

Natalie Triedman is a student researcher for the 2011-2012 State of the Rockies Project. Originally from Providence,R.I., Natalie graduated in May 2012 with a degree in Global Health. Natalie’s interest in conservation and sustainable living began during a semester abroad at the Island School, a program that focuses on environmental studies and sustainability through experiential learning. 

Stephen G. Weaver

Stephen G. Weaver is an award-winning photographer with over 30 years experience making images of the natural world and serves as technical director for the Colorado College geology department. Educated as a geologist, Steve combines his scientific knowledge with his photographic abilities to produce stunning images that illustrate the structure and composition of the earth and its natural systems. As an undergraduate geology student, he first visited the Rocky Mountains where he fell in love with the mountain environment and the grand landscapes of the West. Steve currently photographs throughout North America with a major emphasis on mountain and desert environments. His use of a 3x5 large format view camera allows him to capture images with amazing clarity and depth