ROOTED IN SERVICE: THE LEGACY AND FUTURE OF CONSERVATION
Welcome to the first episode of the American Conservation Experience (ACE) podcast. Join your hosts, staff members Elyse Cogburn and Dave Bastian, as they introduce you to our organization, its mission, and the incredible work our corps members do on public lands across the country.
In this episode, we'll dive into the origins of ACE, founded in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2004, as well as the overall corps movement. The episode also highlights the two key programs that define our work: the CREW program, which focuses on meaningful hands-on conservation projects like trail building and habitat restoration, and the EPIC program, which helps emerging professionals build careers through specialized internships with leading agencies.
You'll get a glimpse into how our corps members and staff work alongside partners like the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management to protect and restore America's natural and cultural resources. We'll also set the stage for future episodes, where you'll hear directly from the alumni, current members, and others who are shaping the future of conservation, one project at a time.
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.
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.
