About Us
Elk Herd Gathers Together During a Pagosa Winter Snow Fall
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Welcome to Pagosa Springs Friends Of The Wild!
Who Are The Friends of the Wild
Pagosa Springs Friends of the Wild (PSFOTW) is a community conservatorship dedicated to protecting the land, wildlife, forests, and dark skies that make our valley feel like home. We are neighbors, families, and long-time residents who believe that conservation is not a barrier to growth but the balance that makes true community possible.
We are guided by transparency, stewardship, shared responsibility, and a deep love for the quiet places that define Pagosa — from elk moving under moonlit skies to the hush of winter snow settling on the pines. Our work spans wildlife corridor protection, community stewardship, open space preservation, and the creation of a future Nature Park for families and wildlife alike.
We operate with a hybrid governance model that blends Robert’s Rules of Order with an Agility Team framework. This gives us the structure we need for accountability and the flexibility required for a growing community-driven organization.
Every decision, program, and partnership reflects our commitment to protecting what protects us — today and for generations to come.
Our Commitment to Community Voice
We believe that the strongest conservation work comes from listening — not only to the land, but to the people who call Pagosa home. Pagosa Springs Friends of the Wild is built on community input, collaborative decision-making, and the integration of diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives.
We work as a team because we know that lasting stewardship is a shared responsibility. When neighbors come together, when volunteers bring their ideas forward, and when every voice is welcomed to the table, we find the solutions that truly honor this valley.
Together, we can Keep Pagosa Wild.
How We Work: Agreements, Agility, and Shared Stewardship
PSFOTW operates through a collaborative framework grounded in Working Together Agreements, agile practices, and team-centered stewardship. These agreements guide how we communicate, make decisions, and support one another — creating a culture of respect, clarity, and community trust.
An essential part of our process is properly identifying our stakeholders. We believe every person affected by a decision — residents, landowners, volunteers, partners, and the broader community — deserves a voice in shaping solutions. By understanding who is impacted and involving them early, we create conservation outcomes that reflect the needs and values of the people who call Pagosa home.
Through our Agility Team Framework, we welcome continuous input, adapt to new information, and refine our work based on real-world feedback. We function as a team, not a hierarchy, because stewardship is strongest when it’s shared.
Together, we find the solutions that last.
Our Volunteers & Community
Friends of the Wild is powered entirely by volunteers — people who love this land and want to stand with the wildlife and the forests. Volunteers help with:
- Conservation projects
- Professional Services
- Educational walks and stewardship days
- Public outreach and community events
- Merchandise and campaign support
- Data gathering and research
- Youth engagement and education
Together, we are building a movement rooted in care, wonder, and the protection of what makes Pagosa Wild.
Our Volunteer Leadership
Our Leadership
Friends of the Wild is a 100% volunteer-led organization.
Below is our founding leadership team:
Board of Directors
• Rachel Suh — President & Founder
• Terri Pritchard — Treasurer
• Niara Isley — Secretary
Our Leadership Philosophy
Our leadership is guided by the belief that true stewardship is not top-down — it is shared, collaborative, and rooted in the lived experiences of the people who call Pagosa home.
We practice servant leadership, where those in guiding roles listen first, support second, and act only after the community’s needs and perspectives are understood.
We lead by creating space for others to lead with us.
We empower volunteers, neighbors, landowners, and partners to bring their ideas forward, shape projects, and participate in decisions that impact the land we all depend on.
We adapt quickly, respond to new information, and welcome continuous improvement. Our goal is not perfection — it is progress guided by principle, humility, and a deep respect for the land and those who steward it.
We believe leadership is not about authority; it is about responsibility.
Responsibility to protect the wildlife and open spaces entrusted to us.
Responsibility to listen.
Responsibility to act with integrity.
Responsibility to ensure Pagosa remains wild for generations to come.
This is the heart of our leadership philosophy —
quiet strength, collaborative action, and unwavering stewardship.
Keep Pagosa Springs Wild With Us
If the whisper of the wind or the quiet strength of the land inspires you to step closer — as a volunteer, a leader, or a supporter — we would be honored to connect.
There are many ways to walk beside us in this work.
Write to us, and together we’ll keep the wild alive.