Hola todos! My name is Kim Lopez.

Hola todos!

My name is Kim Lopez and it is with great joy that I can announce I am a recipient of the Grossman Scholarship. 

As a first-generation student, the first in my family to receive a high school diploma and then receive my bachelor’s degree, education has been instrumental in my journey. I received my bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University (CSU) in biological science with minors in ethnic studies and conservation biology. I continue to be intrigued with the intersection of communities and their natural resources, and specifically want to amplify ways we connect to nature outside of the traditional outdoor recreation sphere. The Grossman Scholarship allows me to dive deeper into issues surrounding systemic planning on policy and natural resource management so I may take my passion for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion even further. This fall I will begin my Wildlife Conservation Actions graduate certificate at CSU and will learn more about applying practical and action-oriented methodologies to my conservation work. 

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I relied on grants and scholarships. As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” My education is a result of not only my determination, but also the faith that others had in me. I am honored to now be connected to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and their community of supporters as I continue my education journey. 

I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service at Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. In this role I’ve strengthened my skills in inclusive program development for a wide range of audiences. My favorite program was offering Spanish training on restoration work and having my mom as a participant! Gaining community trust is a skill I continue to refine in this role, as well as building partnerships to support both outdoor stewardship and the Refuge. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Bluff Lake Nature Center and on the Executive Committee for Metro Denver Nature Alliance as we embark on a regional vision for people and nature. 

As I begin to take on more leadership roles, I only fall more and more in love with my field. My graduate courses will set me up to enact positive change. My career goals are based on my ability to amplify the voices of those who did not have the same privileges I did, and I am excited for all that I will learn from others. It's both a personal and professional dream of mine to use my power, story, and network to be part of the equity in the outdoors movement. I have been given a platform to present at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors conference, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute’s conference, and this fall I will present at the Colorado Open Space Alliance conference on equity in the outdoors. I see nature as an opportunity for healing. Having open and equal access across identities is an absolute must. I plan on continuing to stay in the intersection between people and nature, and am very committed to the Denver metro area. In whatever role I take on in the future, I hope to be able to directly work with the neighboring community and collaboratively create innovative ways to engage them with nature.