OUR PEOPLE:
SLVEC Staff
Christine Canaly
Director
info@slvec.org
Bachelor of Science
Writing and Production Planning
Ohio University
Chris joined SLVEC in June 2000. She mobilized key local and regional constituencies to support legislation for the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act 0f 2000 and received congressional recognition for her efforts. In coordination with the EPA Region 8, she enjoined with SLV community leaders to prioritize environmental health protocols which have since engaged over 1,000 households in educational forums for protecting their indoor air and water quality through mitigation and regular household maintenance. Chris developed a solar/transmission working group in 2009 that had a tremendous impact on renewable energy awareness and continues in pursuit of strategy for distributed solar generation. She has participated with core teams to develop other SLV conservation organizations including: Citizens for San Luis Valley Water, which opposed a trans-basin water diversion; EPA TAG Summitville mine oversight and clean up; Rio Grande Headwaters Landtrust: Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and is currently collaborating with Conejos Clean Water to structure a USDA RUS Solid Waste Management and EPA Recycling Plan for the SLV. Before moving to the SLV in 1988, she worked as an engineer with CNN Headlines in Atlanta, Georgia and NBC News in New York City.
Christine is the recipient of several awards:
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EPA Environmental Stewardship Award, 2008.
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The Jasper Carlton "Activist in the Trenches" Award, presented by the Rocky Mountain Wild BOD, 2015
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Fund For Wild Nature Grassroots Activist of the Year, 2017
Isabel Lisle
Communications Manager and Outreach Coordinator
isabel@slvec.org
Bachelor of Arts
Environmental Studies
University of Vermont
Isabel is passionate about building community awareness and engagement around protecting, restoring, and celebrating the natural environment. She moved to Alamosa, CO in 2020 to serve with AmeriCorps for Conejos Clean Water, teaching environmental studies classes and leading outdoor excursions around the San Luis Valley for students from the Justice Heritage Academy, located in Antonito, CO.
Isabel’s passion for sustainable living and education led her to start a group called the Sustainability Action Team with other AmeriCorps members around the valley. The group has done trash clean ups around the Rio Grande River as well as started a composting pilot project at the farm park. In addition to her interest in eco-friendly living, she loves exploring the San Luis Valley.
In her free time, you can find Isabel cross country skiing at Rock Creek, biking down south river road, rock climbing at Penitente, or searching for the beaver who lives across from the farm park.
In her new role as SLVEC’s communications manager, she aspires to educate the greater San Luis Valley community about the important environmental issues that impact these fragile and beautiful ecosystems, and she hopes to inspire the SLV community to take action to protect our home.
John Stump
Developer -Solid Waste Management Project
Bachelor of Science
Sociology
University of Wisconsin
Job related courses at the Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Brandeis, and Boston University
Coming from experience with federal economic and community programs, John came out of retirement to join the SLVEC team in 2014. He served as research director for the Resources Development Group where he authored an economic development plan for the SLV, maintained a demographic information service, and conducted studies such as the economic impact on the community from the Adams Sate University upgrade.
Before coming to the Valley in the early 70's, John worked as a research analyst and planner for Wisconsin State Employment Service and Governor's Office.
An avid birder, John continues to travel extensively throughout the southwestern U.S. and South America.
He prepared comments to the Rio Grande National Forest for their 20- year management planning and assessment process in reference to the need for ecosystem priorities.
Claire Barker
Volunteer Office Manager, Programs
Claire is a Colorado native of foreign parentage. She's got a good handle on group dynamics from her experience shepherding a small herd of dairy goats and sheep for the past 28 years. She also worked as a Registered Nurse in many SLV health facilities.
Claire and her hubby run away to the hills as often as possible with their horses. Volunteerism has been an integral part of her contribution, working for La Leche, area schools, 4H, SLV community event planning, Back Country Horsemen, and now SLVEC. This speaks to Claire has immense concerns over the legacies of the environment, health, energy, community,
parenting, and the economy that will confront future generations.
Daily, she aims to cultivate gratitude and hope.
Read more about our Current Issues:
Renewable Water Resources
We are involved in investigating Renewable Water Resources. We encourage the protection of water quality and ongoing well testing for the San Luis Valley.
READ MORE
Wolf Creek Pass
Since 1986, a proposal has been underway to build a resort complex next to the ski area. This development is still a possibility.
READ MORE
Rio Grande
National Forest Plan
The RGNF encompasses over 1.8 million acres in southwestern Colorado, boasting multiple alpine peaks and critical headwaters' areas.
READ MORE