Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2025) — Today, Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of outdoor recreation groups working together to protect public lands, announced 20 new members of its Grasstops Collective, a program entering its second year. Grasstops Collective is a leadership and advocacy development program that trains grasstops advocates to build relationships with policymakers and advocate for conservation priorities.
Grasstops leaders, distinguished from grassroots supporters, are unique for their meaningful leadership voice in their communities, whether they are in business, nonprofit, or local government.
“These people are the unofficial mayors — the ones who know everyone at the crag,
trailhead, or river put-in,” said Taylor Rogers, who is coordinating the Grasstops Collective program for Outdoor Alliance for its second year. “As such, they’re not only widely respected people in their respective communities, they’re also immersed in the public lands issues in their own backyards. That makes them very effective voices for conservation.”
Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective trains and educates grasstops leaders on outdoor policy and advocacy. Grasstops leaders form relationships with their elected officials and bring their local knowledge and stories to move the needle on conservation, recreation, and climate policy.
The 2024 Grasstops Collective cohort — the first year of the program — advocated with lawmakers across the country to help get the EXPLORE Act, a landmark recreation package, across the finish line at the end of last year.
Graduates from the program have continued to advocate for full funding and staffing for land management agencies, and for protections for public lands and waters.
This year’s cohort of 20 grasstops advocates come from across the country, with a variety of backgrounds, outdoor recreation pursuits, and leadership roles. They include professional athletes, executive directors of local outdoor recreation nonprofits, industry leaders, and storytellers.
Jazzari Taylor, the Chair of the Parks Now Coalition and Policy Advocate at Latino Outdoors, said: “I’m excited to be part of the Grasstops Collective to strengthen my advocacy skills, connect with other leaders, and shape the future of outdoor access through conservation policy. I look forward to bringing these tools back to my community and network to welcome others into this space and drive lasting policy change.”
Cody Perry, the co-founder of Rig to Flip and a member of the 2025 cohort, said: “My intention will be to leverage the collective power with other outdoor leaders, as we aim to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes for communities across the country we all care deeply about. I am motivated by the opportunity to emphasize the significance of the landscapes I call home, and ensure a voice for sustainable land use practices will be heard by elected leaders, and local communities alike.”
Christa Nenaber, a member of the 2025 cohort who has worked for Patagonia for more than 14 years, said: “I am honored and excited to have an opportunity to learn and partner with others who care about the environment, democracy and supporting their communities.
Learn more about the 2025 Grasstops Collective cohort here and about our 2024 cohort and their accomplishments throughout the first year here.
To learn more, please visit www.outdooralliance.org.
About Outdoor Alliance
Outdoor Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of organizations that includes American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Mountaineers, American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, Colorado Mountain Club, and Surfrider Foundation. For more than ten years, Outdoor Alliance has united the human-powered outdoor recreation community to achieve lasting conservation victories. Our work has helped to permanently protect 40 million acres of public land, secure $5.1 billion in funding for the outdoors, and convert more than 100,000 outdoor enthusiasts into outdoor advocates. For more information, visit www.outdooralliance.org
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