CCALT welcomes Scott Wappes and Matt Wold to the Team. Both Scott and Matt will serve as Conservation Coordinators, supporting the conservation team in map making, conservation easement transactions, due diligence, and project related fundraising. Scott is based out of the Steamboat Springs office, while Matt joins the team in the Denver office. Let us take a minute to introduce them!

Scott grew up near the 190-acre family farm in Northeastern Indiana. He represents the fifth generation of the family on the farm and looks forward to being actively involved someday. Scott and his wife Sylvia, who works in Digital Sales for the Steamboat Pilot & Today, share a love of the outdoors and together have hiked 21 unique 14ers in Colorado. Scott has spent time in 41 US states (39 before the age of 18), and of all of them he chooses Colorado, to attend college, get married, own property, and make a difference.

Describe the path that led you to CCALT.

• I attended University of Colorado, Boulder to pursue a degree in geography and found my passion in areas relating to climate. After graduating with my bachelor’s, I spent time in the hospitality industry. After a few years, I decided I wanted to pursue a career that gave back to the community and state that I love the most. I was hoping to return to the field I had studied. After applying to many jobs both in the public and nonprofit sectors, I caught a break after speaking to board member of CCALT who alerted me of a few positions and put me in touch with executive director, Erik Glenn. After a few months of contact I was offered a position as an intern at the Steamboat office that began in May. After the summer I secured a full-time position starting at the end of August this year and I could not be more excited for the opportunity.

What are you most looking forward to at CCALT?

• I am most excited about growing into a career that helps the community. While I have not been employed with the CCALT very long, the most rewarding individuals that I have worked with are the generational landowners who are working to keep the ranch in the family and as agricultural land. The cause is uniting across the political, generational, and socioeconomic spectrums which is hopeful to see.

Matt grew up in Casper, WY, and attended the University of Wyoming.  He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Wyoming, and went on to pursue his Master’s degree from the University of Colorado-Denver. He has spent the better part of the last decade in Denver.  Matt enjoys being outdoors and with his family, his wife Kate, and their two daughters Ellie and Annie. They love hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing. He is always making an effort to teach his daughters about the outdoors and all it has to offer. 

Despite Matt’s decade on the Front Range of Colorado he is actively involved in managing the family ranch, the Hole-in-the-Wall Ranch, in Johnson County, Wyoming. His care for the West ranges from his engagement with the Jr. Livestock Auction of the National Western Stock Show, to managing the family ranch.

What are you most looking forward to at CCALT?

• I look forward to working with CCALT landowners and others considering developing new conservation easements for the benefit of generations to come.