Hi everyone, I'm Jess, and I'm excited to introduce myself as RMFI's new Executive Director.

I’m a Colorado native, growing up in the San Luis Valley with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Sand Dunes as my backyard, wild places have never been somewhere I escape to. They're home. That's where I learned that the things worth having are the things you take care of, and it's a lesson the land keeps teaching me every season.

That's part of what drew me to RMFI, but what's struck me most in this first couple of weeks is the team. RMFI's staff have built something special here, a culture of genuine care for this land, for what they do and for each other. I feel lucky to be working alongside people this dedicated and good at what they do.

I'm honored to be part of this team and to get to know all of you. A very exciting season is upon us, and I cannot tell you how eager I am to see where RMFI takes us. If you see any of us out on a project day or at an event this season, come say hi. I'd love to hear what RMFI means to you.

See you out there,
Jess Verplank