FINDING PURPOSE IN CONSERVATION: STORIES OF STEWARDSHIP AND CONNECTION
In this episode of American Conservation Experience, host Elyse Cogburn explores the power of conservation and community with guests Silas Patten and Ellen Bley. Together, they reflect on how caring for public lands is more than a career—it’s a shared calling to make an impact on the outdoor spaces that mean so much to us all.
Silas, an ACE EPIC member serving with the Bureau of Land Management, shares his transition from a degree in communication to a career in conservation, and his experiences working with a state-based conservation corps and the US Fish and Wildlife Services. Ellen Bley, ACE Fish and Wildlife Division Director, provides insights into her rewarding career in helping to inspire the next generation of conservation stewards.
From fieldwork to mentorship, Silas and Ellen share how everyday actions—whether volunteering locally or joining a conservation program—can create lasting change. Their stories remind us that conservation is not just about protecting nature; it’s about belonging to something larger than ourselves.
Tune in for an inspiring discussion that celebrates curiosity, resilience, and the many ways we can all contribute to the future of our shared lands.
Creators and Guests
Host
Elyse Cogburn
Elyse Cogburn is a passionate outdoor professional with over 15 years of experience bringing people and the planet together. She’s currently helping lead outreach and partnership development at American Conservation Experience. When she’s not connecting and building partnerships or empowering the next generation of changemakers, you’ll probably find her outdoors, chasing sunshine and good stories with her 4 legged sidekick, Doug Fur.
Guest
Ellen Bley
Ellen has been with ACE since her graduation from Vanderbilt University in 2017. She grew up in Ohio, but fell in love with the west after her first position as an ACE-Americorp intern, doing resource inventory for the BLM in northern California. Her term with the BLM only strengthened her passion for conservation and public lands, and she pursued another position with ACE as the logistics coordinator for the USFWS National Visitor Survey project, based in Colorado. She has since come on as the Agreements and Project Manager for the USFWS division, and loves helping others on their conservation career path. In her free time, Ellen can be found outdoors – she is an avid hiker and backpacker, and a geologist by hobby.
Producer
Leanne Fisher
Leanne Fisher is a seasoned marketing professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Marketing Director at American Conservation Experience (ACE). She has successfully blended her passion for conservation with her background in leading marketing efforts for nonprofit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs (Kansas City) and the YWCA (Boulder County), as well as for-profit organizations. At ACE, Leanne is dedicated to elevating the organization’s mission, inspiring engagement, and connecting people to purpose through compelling storytelling and strategic communications.
Guest
Silas Patten
Silas grew up in a small town surrounded by nature in Wisconsin. For the past several years since graduating college Silas has worked as a Park Ranger and Conservation Corps Crew Leader before joining ACE in early 2025. In his free time Silas enjoys hiking, reading, fly fishing, and drinking too much coffee.
