Darya’s main project is facilitating the Colorado Coalition to Enhance Working Lands (CO-CEWL). CO-CEWL works to improve the resilience and productivity of Colorado farming and ranching lands through the creation of viable agricultural businesses and rural communities, protecting open space, and increasing the ecosystem service benefits of working lands. Darya is writing a two-year strategic plan for the group, creating a path forward for the blending of CO-CEWL and the Colorado Collaborative for Healthy Soils. She is also leading the Land Access, Transition, and Tenure Working Group, and assisting the participants with deciding on their project for the next year. Another part of Darya’s work this summer is supporting the development of a Federal Conservation Innovation Grant that will fund the Colorado Soil Health Program for the next 5 years. Lastly, she will be working with the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council on creating projects on public land for food production.
COLLABORATOR
Colorado Coalition to Enhance Working Lands
Ground Up Consulting
PROJECT DELIVERABLE
FELLOWSHIP BRIEF
STUDENT RESEARCHER
Darya Watnick, Western Resources Fellow| Darya Watnick is a Master of Environmental Management candidate at the Yale School of the Environment, focusing on agriculture & food systems. She is particularly interested in regenerative agriculture practices and soil health. Her passion for food and agriculture began during her childhood in Southern California, growing up near avocado and citrus orchards and many strawberry fields. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. See what Darya has been up to. | Blog | Website