The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) have recently appointed Dawson Metcalf to the Outdoor Equity Grant Board, a move set to deepen the roots of LGBTQ+ advocacy and representation in Colorado's natural resource management. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Metcalf's four-year term on the board is aimed at enhancing diversity, particularly for people who identify as LGBTQ+, which is seen as a step forward for integrating diverse perspectives into the OEGP’s mission.
Metcalf's appointment followed an open public application process, ultimately decided by CPW Director Jeff Davis and Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, who stated, "We're thrilled to welcome Dawson Metcalf to the Outdoor Equity Grant Board and excited about the valuable LGBTQ+ advocacy, workforce training and natural resources experience he will bring to the board." He also mentioned that "Diverse perspectives are essential to the Outdoor Equity Grant program’s mission and I’m excited to see continued growth and impact of the board with this new addition," as obtained by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. These words reflect an institutional intent to not just simply diversify but to substantively enrich the inclusivity of outdoor programs in Colorado.
Dawson Metcalf brings a robust background to the table; as the Director of Enterprise for the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, his career has spanned over a decade at the crossroads of conservation, equity, and community engagement. His experience is well-matched with the board's objectives to award grants to organizations that enable underrepresented youth and their families, including those from LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, American Indian and Native, disabled, and low-income communities, to actively participate in outdoor recreation and related educational and career opportunities.
Embracing his new role, Metcalf expressed gratitude to the prior applicants and board members of the OEGP, signifying an acknowledgment of the ongoing efforts to make Colorado’s outdoors more equitable, inclusive, and accessible. Jeff Davis also highlighted the significance of these endeavors by saying, "I’m looking forward to Dawson’s future contributions in helping us fulfill our mission to protect wildlife, maintain our state parks, and create sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that inspire all Coloradans to become stewards of our natural resources," as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This sentiment underscores a shared commitment across different facets of Colorado's governmental and community structures to forge an inclusive path forward for nature engagement and conservation.
In response to Metcalf's appointment, Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, told Colorado Parks and Wildlife, "Equity in the outdoors isn’t just about access; it’s about representation, voice, and belonging. I’m thrilled to see Dawson Metcalf join the Outdoor Equity Grant Board and bring his lived experience and leadership to this critical work. His appointment strengthens our commitment to making Colorado’s natural spaces inclusive for all communities, especially those who have historically been excluded." These insights affirm the board's rooted embrace of diverse voices and the wider benefits that such inclusion can provide for the stewardship of Colorado's outdoors.
