Outdoor Alliance Announces First Grasstops Collective Cohort and Grasstops Advocacy Director

Today, Outdoor Alliance announced the 20 members of the first cohort of its Grasstops Collective, 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 voice in their communities, whether they are in business, nonprofit, or local government. They are the unofficial mayors—the ones who seem to know everyone at the crag, trailhead, or put-in.

The Grasstops Collective will train and educate grasstops leaders on outdoor policy and advocacy. These leaders will bring their local knowledge and stories to move the needle on conservation, recreation, and climate policy.

This cohort of 20 grasstops advocates come from across the country, with a variety of backgrounds, outdoor recreation pursuits, and leadership roles. They include leaders of local climbing organizations; executive directors of mountain bike, recreation, and trail running organizations; race directors; Indigenous leadership, outdoor business leaders, and 10th generation West Virginians. 

Taylor Rogers, tapped to run the Grasstops Collective program, was most recently the Senior Legislative Aide for a Colorado state senator and has a Master's degree in Development Studies specializing in Power, Participation, and Social Change. Facilitation and community building are the core of her career working in volunteer engagement, policy, and advocacy targeting decision makers from local city councils to global leaders. She grew up canoeing and waterskiing in Maryland and Maine, which spurred a love of the outdoors and commitment to protect our lands and waterways. She now lives in Colorado where her favorite recreational pursuits fluctuate with the seasons—skiing, mountain biking, and whitewater paddle boarding. 

You can learn more about the 2024 Grasstops Collective cohort here and sign up to get more involved in Outdoor Alliance’s advocacy work below.