Chris Hawkins is the Colorado Urban Conservation Manager for The Nature Conservancy, where he leads the organization’s efforts in Denver to “solve global challenges like the biodiversity and climate emergencies by supporting and creating more sustainable, efficient ways of living.”
When many people think of The Nature Conservancy, they may envision large-scale conservation efforts across vast grasslands and wild landscapes– but TNC also conducts some of its most innovative conservation work in cities— work that leads to more resilient, healthy, and equitable communities. Chris’s work in Denver is a shining example of how nature-based solutions in densely populated urban areas can have positive ripple effects far beyond the city limits.
Chris was born and raised on the east coast, attended college in Boston, and from the very beginning of his career, he’s been focused on service and causes greater than himself. He’s worked as a Corps Member of AmericaCorps, as Chief of Staff in New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, and for the past nine years, he’s been with the Nature Conservancy. As you’ll hear in this conversation, Chris’s diverse professional experiences have allowed him to bring a unique and effective perspective to the complex world of urban conservation.
Chris was nice enough to join me at my dining room table for an engaging and educational conversation about all things urban conservation. We started out by discussing why TNC has chosen to devote its resources and expertise to conservation in cities, and he explains the unique challenges facing cities in the West. We discuss how public health is directly related to people’s access to nature, and how the simple-but-not-easy strategy of planting trees in neighborhoods can have huge conservation and public health benefits. As is the case with all of my conservation-related conversations, we discuss the critical importance of relationships, and how Chris has managed to build relationships with a diverse group of Denver residents. We also discuss his professional trajectory, the importance of exporting urban conservation ideas to other cities, and the critical roles of mayors and local leadership. And finally, Chris is a serious history buff, so we have a great discussion about books.
There is so much fascinating information packed into this episode, and I greatly appreciate Chris’s taking the time to share his wisdom with the Mountain & Prairie community. Check out the episode notes below for links to everything we discuss. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Photos courtesy of Chris Hawkins and The Nature Conservancy
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EPISODE PARTNER:
This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive.
On the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout 2023, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West. You can access all of the 2023 episodes here.
To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in Colorado and around the world, visit www.nature.org/colorado
RESOURCES:
Topics Discussed:
- 3:45 – Why do Chris and TNC work in cities
- 7:00 – Thriving cities in the West and the unique challenges they present
- 9:30 – Whether or not the health benefits of the outdoors have become a larger part of Chris’s work recently
- 15:30 – Discussing trees
- 27:45 – How Chris builds relationships in his work in cities
- 33:45 – Specific strategies Chris uses to build trust
- 38:30 – Where Chris grew up and why he became involved in this work
- 43:30 – Discussing the work of city mayors
- 53:00- How ideas that are exported or imported between cities show up in Chris’s work in Denver
- 1:00:15 – Chris’s book recommendations
Information Referenced:
- Chris Hawkins
- Jaime González
- The Nature Conservancy
- The Nature Conservancy in Colorado
- TNC Cities program in Denver
- Global Cities Program, TNC
- The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky
- The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
- Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
- Melissa McHale
- Globeville, Denver
- Elyria-Swansea, Denver
- Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, Denver, CO
- Carlos Fernández
- Matt Moorhead and Galen Guerro-Murphy
- Dr. Katherine Hayhoe
- Americorps
- Cape Cod
- John Hickenlooper
- Congestion pricing in London
- Yemi Mobolade
- New York Office of Charter Schools
- New York City Office of Sustainability
- New York City Water Board
- Rain garden map of New York City
- Trust for Public Land
- Colorado Cattlemen’s Association
- Green roof ordinance in Denver
- The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro
- Robert Moses
- Grant by Ron Chernow
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these too:
- Equitable Access to the Outdoors in Texas
- Cole Mannix – Building Community through Land Stewardship and Local Food
- Carlos Fernández, Part 2 – Creating Conservation Opportunities During Uncertain Times
- Douglas Brinkley – Exploring the Past to Find Inspiration for the Future
- Amber Smith – Creating Connection & Community
- Land Tawney – Energetic & Optimistic
- Betsy Gaines Quammen – A Fascinating History of Public Lands in the West
Visit the podcast page for a full list of episodes where you can filter episodes by topic and guests’ vocations.
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