ADVANCING EMERGING CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS: INSIDE ACE’S EPIC PROGRAM
In this episode of American Conservation Experience, hosts Elyse Cogburn and Dave Bastian talk about the ACE EPIC program's impact with alumni Evan Williams and Jeanine Hasty. Evan shares his journey from a naturalist at Delaware State Parks to his role as the Expeditions Director at UrbanPromise, emphasizing the joy and opportunities in outdoor recreation and conservation. Jeanine discusses her transition from ACE Member to interning with ACE's communications team, and how this experience led to landing her current role with a marketing agency. The episode highlights the diverse career paths and skills fostered by the EPIC program, stressing the importance of public lands and conservation work. The conversation also touches on memorable wildlife encounters, favorite outdoor spaces, and the future of conservation.
Creators and Guests
Host
Dave Bastian
Dave Bastian has spent the past sixteen years working in the world of youth conservation corps programs. Before his time in the Corps world, Dave was Director of Operations at Save Our Canyons and the Membership and Outreach Coordinator at the Utah Rivers Council. Dave was a founding member of the Utah Youth Corps Collaborative and has served on numerous steering committees, including the Western Collaborative Conservation Network and the Utah Trails Forum. He studied graphic design at the University of Utah. In his spare time, he rows rafts, skies, rides bikes, plays guitar, and chases his young daughter around the Public Lands of the Four Corners region.
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
Evan Williams
Meet Evan! Raised in Bear Delaware, Evan’s first job in the outdoor world was as a Naturalist at Delaware State Parks . From there he became a volunteer leader of Outdoor Afro, a national organization whose goal is to celebrate black joy and create moments for black people to experience nature together. Evan served a year with ACE in 2022 as a Public Programming Intern at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse with the BLM, and loved his experience. With some stints here and there working with Grand Teton National park and City Kids Wilderness Project in Wyoming, his current role is that of an Expeditions Program Director at UrbanPromise where he leads children of color into the outdoors. He enjoys hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, basically everything about the outdoors(minus the allergens). In both his professional and personal life, outdoor recreation and conservation is something that he is intentional about as he realizes during times like these, the only thing that doesn't close is nature. It's still here, it still works, and it's still for everybody to enjoy.
Guest
Jeanine Hasty
Jeanine Hasty is a former Crew, EPIC, and ACE staff member. She now works full-time in Marketing in Boone, NC. When she’s not behind the screen, she enjoys hiking. climbing, mountain biking or really anything outside.
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.
