“We live in a special place, and I am happy to continue working with landowners across Park County to plan for a future that includes the shared values and rich heritage that connect people and communities across the region—healthy waters and wildlife, open spaces, and working farms and ranches.”

As a dedicated member of our Northern Yellowstone Open Lands team, Kelsie brings a passion for collaborating with communities in Park County to find balance in conserving open spaces, protecting wild places, and supporting rural livelihoods. She not only lives in Park County, but has also worked with its local communities for 10 years on issues where agriculture and conservation intersect—providing her with important insights and valued relationships that benefit her work developing and managing land conservation projects in this special landscape. Kelsie grew up on farms and ranches in rural Montana, experiencing life on the land, which has shaped her personal and professional growth over the years. Her sense of adventure and passion for learning took her to several places in the West and abroad while pursuing her education. Eventually, she returned home to Montana, realizing it really is the last best place to be. She has worked with state wildlife management agencies in Montana and Alaska, gaining valuable experience in engaging a broad range of folks in wildlife and land management issues. Kelsie has spent considerable time in the field—in fact, her dairy farming skills came in handy when she milked big-horned sheep on a research capture for Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Before joining the Northern Yellowstone Open Lands team, her work was focused on human-wildlife conflict reduction, working primarily with private landowners and agricultural producers in Park and Madison counties. Kelsie holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography-Environmental Studies and Natural Resource Management from the University of Alaska and a Master of Environmental Management with a focus in Integrative and Public Lands Management from Western Colorado University. In her free time, she typically plays outside with her dog, Harlow, on foot, skis, horseback, or boat—appreciating the land and water that connects us.