Dana Coelho, is founding Director of the Metro Denver Nature Alliance, a growing coalition of non-profit, government, research, and private sector partners seeking to align nature-based efforts to ensure more equitable access to nature and to promote healthy people, communities, and natural places. Local relationships and action are bolstered by an international network of like-minded community members, professionals, and researchers.

 

Her role as AFC+A's Youth + Community Engagement Catalyst leverages her current leadership adventure as well as eleven years of service with the US Forest Service. Most recently she was the Urban & Community Forestry program lead for the Rocky Mountain Region and has also served as Program Manager for the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition. She continues to engage in numerous local partnerships as a volunteer -- Colorado EcoWomen, Colorado Environmental Film Festival, and the International Society of Arboriculture Rocky Mountain Chapter -- and through work -- Get Outdoors Colorado, the GOCO Inspire Initiative, and the South Platte Urban Waters Partnership.  

 

Dana holds Master of Public Policy and Master of Science in Sustainable Development & Conservation Biology degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned her Bachelor of Urban & Environmental Planning degree from the University of Virginia.

 

Dana lives in Golden, CO with her dog Comet, adores travel, art, lifelong learning, and new experiences.