Teton Talks: Wild Hearts for Wild Places

TETON TALKS

Wild Hearts for Wild Places: Turning Adventure into Action

Moderated by Sue Muncaster, Executive Director of the Teton Leadership Center, Owner of Teton Strong

Zoom link: TBD

Speakers:

Darran Wells, CWC Professor of Outdoor Recreation & Leadership

Darran Wells grew up racing mountain bikes with his father in Houston, Texas. After graduating Magna Cum Laude in Philosophy from the University of Houston and completing EMT training, he joined the US Peace Corps and served two tours in Central Africa as a health education volunteer before returning to the states to become a full-time instructor for the NOLS in 1999. At NOLS, he taught mountaineering, rock-climbing, whitewater rafting, caving, backcountry skiing, and customized leadership development trainings in wilderness settings throughout the US and Alaska. He was senior faculty and custom education program coordinator from 1999-2007. As a senior instructor for NOLS Professional, he led leadership training programs for the Wharton School of Business, NASA and the US Naval Academy.

From 2000 to 2005, Wells competed internationally in multi-day adventure races and appeared on television in Eco-Challenge, Primal Quest, and Global Extremes. In 2012, he wrote the second edition of his book, NOLS Wilderness Navigation, a how-to book on using topo maps, compasses and GPS. Wells completed his master’s degree in adventure education at Prescott College in 2007 before taking over the outdoor education degree program at Central Wyoming College. In addition to outdoor skills courses, Wells teaches courses in the history and theory of experiential education, leadership development, outdoor teaching techniques, and natural resource management. Wells is a Wilderness First Responder and has volunteered for Fremont County Search and Rescue since 2000.

“For a small community college, we have the most incredible facilities in both Lander and Riverton,” Wells said. “Our Alpine Science Institute is an ideal campus for learning outdoor skills and developing a deep appreciation and understanding of the natural world.”Wells said he enjoys seeing students light up when they climb a steep rock, ski powder, or jump a mountain bike for the first. He said that is a driving force for him. “I love helping students to live and travel comfortably in the mountains and develop a passion for the natural world.”

Wells has a wife, Stacy, who is an adjunct instructor at CWC’s Alpine Science Institute. Their daughter climbed the Grand Teton, Mount Kilimanjaro without her parents in 2020. She also started backcountry splitboarding in the Wyoming Rockies.

Abby Warner, Executive Director, Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance

Prior to joining the Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance, Abby held key leadership positions with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in the Yukon Territory and Teton Valley, Idaho.

Abby has volunteered her time locally as a board member with Teton Valley Trails and Pathways, Teton Valley Community School / Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools and the Grand Targhee Ski and Snowboard Foundation. An active Nordic, backcountry and alpine skier, mountain biker, and hiker, she has served as a team parent and race volunteer for Nordic and mountain biking teams.

Abby brings her strong organizational leadership, communication skills, collaborative nature, local trail, Nordic and biking knowledge and relationships, to the Nordic Alliance’s growing non-profit organization to serve our community.

“As a connecting hub, the Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance has great opportunities to keep leveraging the work of the local organizations, partners and agencies on both sides of the Tetons” Abby said. “I am excited to continue the work of the Alliance in this next phase to inform, educate and inspire our winter trails enthusiasts, to introduce more of our community to the magic of our winter playground and to do our part to ensure that increased use goes hand in hand with excellent stewardship.”

Scott Kosiba – Executive Director, Friends of the Bridger Teton

A research biologist with a PhD, Friends Executive Director Scott Kosiba moved to Wyoming in 2010 to work on a project studying sage grouse. He had never before visited the state, nor seen a sage grouse. A native of Michigan, Scott says, “I just fell in love with the area.” Several months after arriving in Wyoming, Scott met the Bridger-Teton National Forest employee in charge of the Jim Bridger Wilderness.

“There was a lot about Wyoming and its landscapes that struck me, but what really surprised me was the amount of public land,” Scott says. “I had no experience with public lands before I moved to Wyoming, and then, once here, it quickly became apparent what a fantastic concept it is—that there are lands set aside for the enjoyment of the public, for the benefit of wildlife, and to protect various resources.”

Shortly after meeting the BTNF staffer, Scott applied and was hired to work in the Jim Bridger Wilderness, one of three wilderness areas within the BTNF. “It was an amazing job and that is how I fell in love with the BTNF,” he says. He mostly patrolled the wilderness on foot and says, “on foot—backpacking—is still my favorite way to experience the wild places on the forest.” Scott often does this with his wife Madeline and their two dogs, Hank and Ruthie. Scott can also be found on the forest’s many mountain biking trails. “There are just so many ways to enjoy and experience the public lands that are the BTNF,” he says.

Scott joined Friends of the B-T in 2021. “When this opportunity came along, I saw it as the ideal way for me to give back to, and work on behalf of, the forest that I love so much,” he says. Since joining the nonprofit, Scott helped secure a $1 million grant from the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board. Scott, FBT staff, partner organizations, and the BTNF itself have used this grant to grow the Ambassadors for Responsible Recreation program and for outreach and education about responsible recreation.

When not working on behalf of the BTNF or recreating on it—Scott is an avid shed hunter in addition to backpacker and mountain biker—Scott is spearheading the creation of an academic program focused on ecology, conservation, and community dialogue within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Carl Pelletier – Jackson Hole High School CTE Instructor

With a Bachelor’s in Finance from Benedictine University and Master’s in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University, Pelletier primarily taught outdoor education in the field at various outdoor education centers throughout the U.S., but also taught in the classroom for three years at a small school outside of Aspen, Colorado. His teaching philosophy: Try to connect and engage with students as much as possible. Focus on keeping the subject matter relevant and interesting.

A veteran climber, Carl combines his professional expertise with a passionate commitment to the climbing community. His extensive background includes positions as a Brand Representative for Liberty Mountain and a Regional Coordinator for Wilderness Adventures, equipping him with unique insights into the needs and aspirations of both novice and experienced climbers. Carl’s dedication to community service is further evidenced by his volunteer work with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, demonstrating his commitment to safety and well-being in both recreational and emergency settings.

Over a decade of dedicated service to the Town of Jackson, most notably as Public Information Officer & Special Event Coordinator, Pelletier played a pivotal role in community engagement and event management. His exemplary service has been recognized widely, earning him the prestigious Value Jackson Award in May 2018.