Board Member
Evan Stafford
Evan finds the mission of Diversify Whitewater to align excellently with both his personal and professional goals, and as a human, river conservationist and human powered outdoor sports enthusiast. He is the National Communications Director for the non-profit river stewardship organization American Whitewater, co-authored the guidebook Whitewater of the Southern Rockies, and has been involved with, and supported by the outdoor sports industry for almost two decades. He has been a sponsored athlete in whitewater kayaking, snowboarding and skateboarding, taught swiftwater rescue through the American Canoe Association for a decade, including designing a whitewater paddler specific curriculum, and continues to participate in a variety of mountain and outdoor activities at a high level, all of which could use a more diverse community of participants. He has served on numerous non-profit boards of directors, including currently serving on the Board for the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW). Evan believes that improving equity in access to outdoor spaces and the activities that take place there not only improves the livelihoods of those participating, but also strengthens the justification for, and improves efforts to protect wild spaces. Whitewater recreation is at the top of the list for pursuits that need a broader group of participants and it is also the space he is most suited to help diversify. He has participated as a volunteer in both Diversify Whitewater events to date and intends to continue to volunteer in that capacity.