Outdoors Staff

AlhadeffN@nwf.org

BaldesJ@nwf.org

Jason Baldes is a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Land Resource Sciences from Montana State University. Jason's interests have led to work and travel with Indigenous peoples in East Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Russia, and Denmark. Much of his work has been surrounding the restoration of bison to the Wind River Indian Reservation. Jason currently serves as the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Buffalo Representative, and Tribal Buffalo Coordinator for the Tribal Partnerships Program of the National Wildlife Federation. Jason provides workshops and learning opportunities about Tribal history, water, bison conservation, wildlife/fisheries, and cultural connections with animals through song, story, and language. His efforts help people understand the complexities of contemporary issues through an Indigenous lense, bridging cross-cultural gaps and creating positive relationships with those who wish to understand more about Native American people.

BenderS@nwf.org

BlackA@nwf.org

A Santa Fe native, Andrew grew up fishing New Mexico’s rivers with his grandfathers, both WWII veterans. Andrew completed a joint degree Juris Doctor/Master of Divinity at University of Louisville School of Law and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. After studying Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa, Andrew worked in the U.S. Senate as a field representative for U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Martin Heinrich covering issues of health, education, immigration, veterans, and public lands. While with Senator Bingaman, Andrew worked on the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the Navajo Codetalkers. While with Senators Bingaman and Heinrich, Andrew led anti-poverty initiatives building community-wide coalitions focused on education, engagement, and empowerment. Andrew's veteran advocacy lead to two new VA health clinics in Santa Fe and Raton. In promoting sportsman conservation, Andrew helped spearhead environmental coalitions that led to the protection of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, the Columbine Hondo Wilderness, and the Valles Caldera National Park Preserve. Andrew is an ordained Presbyterian Minister (PCUSA), an avid fly-fisherman, and passionate about the intersection of culture, community, collaboration, and conservation.

CarpenterL@nwf.org

Lew Carpenter is the National Wildlife Federation's Director of Conservation Partnerships in the Rocky Mountain region and also works directly with National Wildlife Federation affiliates in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nebraska. He also maintains a moderate role working with the National Wildlife Federation’s Austin office on restoring Louisiana wetlands.

His primary role is to advise the affiliate board directors in CO, NM, AZ, and NE on leadership cultivation, capacity building, and programmatic work (policy advice on regional and national issues)—where these groups should weigh in politically in their region to effect results.

At the end of the day, Carpenter’s job is about ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates by building strong organizations, developing and supporting effective leadership, and creating strong networks of influential people to achieve national and regional conservation victories.

CockrumZ@nwf.org

CookseyB@nwf.org

DinsmoreJ@nwf.org

HoeyG@nwf.org

KanterJ@nwf.org

LeahyM@nwf.org

Mike Leahy supports the restoration of all wildlife populations through his work on policy related to wildlife, hunting, fishing, and public lands. Leahy’s priorities include transforming wildlife conservation for the 21st century through funding and improving the Endangered Species Act and other wildlife laws; representing the conservation interests of hunters and anglers in healthy, abundant wildlife populations and habitat; and ensuring national forests, wildlife refuges, and other national lands remain in public ownership and are well managed. Leahy’s work is informed by over two decades of work to conserve wildlife and natural resources, and an interest in all things outdoors. Leahy has been Conservation Director for the Izaak Walton League of America; Rockies and Plains Director and Natural Resources Counsel for Defenders of Wildlife; and Forest Campaign Director for National Audubon Society. Mike enjoys getting out to hunt, fish, hike, and have fun in the outdoors. Leahy has a law degree from Georgetown University and studied Natural Resources at Cornell University.

McCreadyB@nwf.org

RomeroJ@nwf.org

SmithM@nwf.org

StoneManningT@nwf.org

Voggesser@nwf.org

Garrit Voggesser is the Director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Tribal Partnerships program. Garrit has worked with the National Wildlife Federation for more than 14 years, engaging tribes nationwide on a wide array of wildlife and habitat conservation issues, particularly western water issues; bison conservation; protecting tribal resources from energy extraction; ensuring equity for tribes in federal natural resource legislation and appropriations; and providing environmental education and outdoor opportunities for tribal youth. Prior to his current tenure, Garrit served as the National Wildlife Federation’s bison coordinator and as a tribal conservation consultant. Garrit received a Ph.D. in American Indian and environmental history from the University of Oklahoma in 2004.

WarnkenR@nwf.org

WillhoftE@nwf.org

WillmsD@nwf.org

David Willms is a Senior Director for Western Wildlife and Conservation. Before joining the National Wildlife Federation, David served as a natural resources policy advisor to Wyoming Governor Matthew H. Mead, and a natural resource attorney in both the public and private sector. He also teaches a graduate course on the Endangered Species Act at the University of Wyoming, and writes frequently on various wildlife and land management issues.

David received a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wyoming. He lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his wife and three young children.

WoodsT@nwf.org

YoungeDykeD@nwf.org

YoungeDyke is an avid hunter, angler, and trail-runner, and was a Train To Hunt national finalist in 2017 in the traditional bowhunting division. He serves on the 2% for Conservation national board of directors, the Pigeon River Country State Forest Advisory Council in his home state of Michigan, chairing the Fisheries Committee, and is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, and the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association, as well as several conservation organizations. He previously worked for the National Wildlife Federation’s Michigan affiliate—Michigan United Conservation Clubs—as its chief information officer and editor of Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine. He is also the past co-chair of the Michigan Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. YoungeDyke holds a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and studied Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy at Michigan State University’s James Madison College.