COG Staff
Nicole Foss
Director of Operations and Development
Nicole came to Laramie from Colorado in 2016 to pursue her BA and MA in English at UW, and has lived here ever since. She grew up camping with her family and credits her love of the mountains to those trips. Nicole is a pet parent, poet, downhill skier, artist, gardener, and local forager. She is thrilled to bring her writing skills to the nonprofit scene, and facilitate the enjoyment of Wyoming’s beautiful public lands.
Megan Botten
Outdoor School Coordinator
Megan came to Wyoming in August of 2021. Megan’s very first job was as a kayak guide on Wisconsin’s Kickapoo River. In addition to kayaking, Megan has fond memories of camping trips, hiking, fishing, and skiing at her local hill where her father volunteered with Ski Patrol. As the newest addition to COG, Megan is beyond thrilled to use her nonprofit background and teaching experience to develop outdoor learning opportunities for students in Albany County. As Outdoor School Coordinator, she hopes to ignite a deep appreciation for nature in our future leaders.
COG Board of Directors
Carrie Bennett
President
Like many native Coloradoans, Carrie Bennett was shocked and delighted to discover JUST how beautiful the open spaces around Laramie are and just how much fun it is to play here. She’s completely and equally smitten with Medicine Bow Peak and Vedauwoo and many points in between. Carrie and her husband moved to Laramie in the winter of 2017. She loves getting outside with her husband and two young kiddos. When she’s not wrangling the little people, Carrie is a facilitator and mediator (Learning Through Difference, LLC) who helps bring out the best in groups trying to make difficult decisions together.
Emily Parsons
Treasurer
Native Vermonter Emily Parsons grew up in a house her parents built, heated only with wood. Her father is a woodsman and her mother a successful entrepreneur. They grow a large portion of their own food. Emily found her way to Wyoming working for the Forest Service on Wildland Fire Crews, where she met her husband. They started and own TigerTree, a forestry and tree care company in Laramie. With two children who need ample opportunities to dig and play in the dirt (for years and generations to come), Emily volunteers her time to build and fund the COG organization.
Clare gunshenan
Secretary
Clare is a science educator with a background in outdoor and place-based education. With experience learning and educating on trails, lakes, skis, and the occasional river, Clare loves southeast Wyoming for all of the ways its landscapes invite people to connect with their place.
Ken Cramer
Board Member
Ken moved to Laramie over 40 years ago and established Cross Country Connection, a nordic ski and outdoor specialty shop. After 37 years, he sold the business and retired in 2018. Now he skis, hikes, bikes, and paddles as often as possible in between serving on boards, ski patrolling at the Snowy Range Ski Area and at cross-country ski races on the trails at Tie City. Taking care of public lands and maintaining access to recreation has always been his priority.
Willow Belden
Board Member
Willow Belden is the host and founder of Out There, an award-winning podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories in the outdoors. Before launching the podcast, she was a reporter and host at Wyoming Public Radio. Willow is an avid cross-country skier, mountain biker, and hiker, and she's conquering her fear of heights by learning to rock climb.
JD Dixon
Board Member
Having been in Albany County for over 45 years and raised a family here, JD has taught Physical Education in the rural schools while working as a ranch hand/foreman in southern Albany County. Recently retired (mostly), he has volunteered for various COG projects over the past few years, and is looking forward to continuing to give back to the land that he and his family have enjoyed over the years.
Sara Brodnax
Board Member
Sara has focused her career on conservation policy, including her current role working for National Audubon Society as the Director of Public Lands Policy. Sara lives in Laramie so that she can spend as much time as possible in wide open landscapes with her husband and young son.
Ashley Quick
Board Member
Ashley is a local artist, lover of nature and public lands, and nonprofit professional. She grew up in Wyoming and Colorado making potions and mud pots, but discovered things like camping, hiking, and kayaking as an adult. She was also COG’s first employee back in 2021, where she worked until 2023. Although her primary employment is now elsewhere in our community, she helps support COG’s communications and fundraising efforts. She can be found down by the river, usually looking for birds or rocks.
Bonnie Johnson
Board Member
Bonnie moved to Laramie in 2024 to begin teaching in the University of Wyoming's Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Program. Prior to landing here, she spent many years leading wilderness expeditions around the West with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). She's thrilled to still be educating others about the outdoors and contributing to the stewardship of these landscapes. In her free time, Bonnie gets out on the trails as much as possible with her significant other and adventurous pup.