Opening Session: The Journey to Protect Avi Kwa Ame

Sunday, February 2nd

Ame

Avi Kwa Ame (Spirit Mountain) is a newly designated national monument just south of Las Vegas. It is revered as one of the most sacred places on Earth by the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Southern Paiute peoples, and represents a profound commitment to preserving cultural heritage, ecological diversity, and community connections.

This session will delve into the incredible journey of Avi Kwa Ame’s designation and the partnerships that made it possible. You’ll hear how Tribal Nations, conservation groups, artists, and local advocates united to protect this sacred and ecologically vital landscape.

But this story doesn’t end with designation—it’s just the beginning. Learn about the partnerships shaping the monument’s future, including co-management agreements between Tribal Nations and federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service. Discover how nonprofits, local communities, and conservationists continue to play critical roles in stewarding this special place for generations to come.

Join us to celebrate the power of partnerships in protecting public lands while exploring how these collaborations can chart a path forward for inclusive conservation and stewardship.

This session is sponsored by: 

Ashley Hemmers

Ashley Hemmers, Tribal Administrator for the Fort Mojave Tribe

Ashley Hemmers, tribal administrator for the Fort Mojave Tribe, played a pivotal role in securing the federal designation of Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument. Her leadership reflects a communal, inclusive approach to power rooted in tribal culture, emphasizing balance, interconnection, and collaboration rather than dominance or hierarchy. Ashley’s vision of power as “collected and shared” highlights her commitment to building bridges across diverse groups, fostering understanding, and creating a better future for all communities.

Kim

Kim Garrison-Means, Searchlight Community Leader, Artist, and Owner of the Mystery Ranch Art and Research Station

Kim Garrison-Means brings a unique perspective to the conservation movement. Since 2003, Mystery Ranch has served as a hub for artists, scientists, and educators to explore the Mojave Desert’s stories and inspire stewardship. Now partnering with the Friends of Avi Kwa Ame, Kim will share how grassroots advocacy, local voices, and creative collaboration were pivotal in achieving the monument’s designation.

Alan

Alan O’Neil, Public Lands Leader

Alan O’Neil, recipient of the 2023 Nevada Conservation League’s Harry Reid Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2024 National Parks Conservation Association’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Citizen Conservationist of the Year award, brings over 56 years of public lands service to this session. A former superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Alan later founded and served as executive director of the Outside Las Vegas Foundation (now Get Outdoors Nevada). Currently, he dedicates his time to volunteer work, including serving on the boards of Friends of Sloan Canyon and Friends of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument.


General Session: Adapting for Tomorrow: Innovation and Creativity in Public Lands Leadership

Wednesday, February 5th

From the impacts of climate change to an uncertain economy, the nonprofit partners of America's public lands are confronting novel opportunities and challenges. Transitions in elected officials, policy makers, and governmental priorities further crystalize the need for nonprofit partners to remain nimble and the importance of investing in creative, thoughtful leadership.

Join us for a lively discussion with two outstanding CEOs who have deep experience working within and across land management agencies. The conversation will tackle an array of topics including addressing recreational and visitation pressures, investing in staff and internal capacity, and innovating partnership models. The panel will also explore what the shift towards funding land management agency operations, housing, and deferred maintenance means for how public lands partners measure success and the potential for collective impact.

This session is sponsored by:

Natalie Britt, President and CEO of the Zion National Park Forever Project

Natalie Britt is the President and CEO of the Zion National Park Forever Project, official nonprofit partner of Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks, and Pipe Spring National Monuments. Natalie has spent more than 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, most recently as the President and CEO of FIND Outdoors, one of North Carolina’s premier public lands organizations. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a focus on government and public administration.

Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President and CEO of the National Forest Foundation

Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Forest Foundation, the congressionally chartered partner of the US Forest Service. In his role, Dieter leads with impact, aligning the organization’s priorities around the Forest Service’s priorities of climate resiliency, healthy watersheds, and recreation for all. Prior to joining the National Forest Foundation, Dieter held leadership positions at the National Park Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, the American Museum of Natural History, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Dieter began his career in the private sector at Bank Austria Creditanstalt.


Keynote: Quinn Brett

Wednesday, February 5th

QBrettHeadshot

We are thrilled to have Quinn Brett as our keynote speaker for PLA 2025. Quinn will share her journey as an outdoor enthusiast and public lands advocate, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities for making recreation on public lands more accessible for people with disabilities. Her story emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in outdoor spaces, and the powerful connection between physical wellness, mental resilience, and access to public lands.

Quinn Brett is an athlete, writer, public speaker, advocate, and co-owner of Dovetail Trail Consulting. She has set numerous speed and climbing records on peaks around the world. In October 2017, she fell while climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Undeterred, Quinn remains a passionate advocate for public lands, now with a renewed focus on adaptive recreation. She returned to work for the National Park Service before founding her consulting company dedicated to making outdoor recreation more accessible..
 
Her adventurous spirit continues to shine—Quinn became the first known hand-cyclist to complete the Tour Divide, a grueling 2,450-mile off-road cycling route spanning from Canada to the U.S.-Mexico border. She has also completed a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon using her mobility device. Quinn’s journey is captured in the documentary An Accidental Life, and you can follow her latest adventures on Instagram @quinndalina.

This session is sponsored by: