Connor Coleman – How to Build a Meaningful Life in the West

Connor Coleman is the founder of Resiliency Lands, a progressive, conservation-minded land management and advisory group committed to promoting ecological and resource resiliency. Prior to starting Resiliency Lands, he held a variety of positions closely connected to the land, jobs that would be on the wish-list of anyone who loves adventure and the American West—wildland firefighter, cowboy, bison manager, and conservationist, just to name a few.  Connor is currently based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, and he resides on a spectacular ranch just outside of Carbondale.

You may be surprised to learn that Connor was not born and raised in the West or on ranches.  On the contrary, he grew up in Ohio, went to college in North Carolina, and after paying his dues in east coast conservation and earning two master’s degrees from Duke University, he headed West to focus his energy on western landscapes. Thanks to an insatiable curiosity, a rock-solid work ethic, a service mindset, and a willingness to insert himself into new and uncomfortable situations, Connor has carved out a professional niche for himself in Colorado doing rewarding, exciting, and important work.

Connor’s education and unconventional career path can serve as a great blueprint for anyone who loves the American West and wants a life centered around land, conservation, and natural resources. When I was in my early twenties, I would’ve loved to meet a guy like Connor who could point me in the right direction. So in this episode, we talk in depth about his career and his ability to “put himself out there” to create exciting professional opportunities.  We dig deep into his thoughts on conservation in the West, as well as issues related to forest fires throughout the country.  Connor loves to read and learn, so he also has tons of great book and film recommendations.

We cover a ridiculous amount of information, so be sure to check out the episode notes below for the full list of topics we discuss. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Connor Coleman

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

• Connor Coleman – LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
• Catawba College
• Duke University
• Aspen Valley Land Trust
• Nature Conservancy
• Chico Basin Ranch
• Zapata Ranch
• Land Trust for Central North Carolina
• Jim Howell podcast interview
• For the Love of Land by Jim Howell
• Allen Savory’s TED talk
• 5 Point Film Festival
• Longleaf Pine

Connor’s Book Recommendations

• Fire a Brief History – Stephen Pyne
• The Big Burn: Theodore Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America
• Fire on the Mountain – John Maclean
• Young Men and Fire – Norman Maclean
• Living with Fire: Fire Ecology and Policy for the 21st Century
• The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots (Yarnell Fire)
• American Buffalo: In Seach of a Lost Icon – Steven Rinella
• Call Me Ted
• Last Stand: Ted Turner and His Quest to Save a Troubled Planet
• The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and His Crusade for America – Douglas Brinkley
• Anthill: A Novel – E.O. Wilson
• My Side of the Mountain – Jean Craighead George
• Adventures of Tom Sawyer
• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Cradle of Forestry in America – Carl Schenck
• Wild Idea: Buffalo and Family in a Difficult Land

Connor’s Film Recommendations

• Unbranded
• Death of the Bar T
• Damnation
• Pete McBride
• A Story for Tomorrow
• The Greatest Good: A Forest Service Centennial Film