The Building That Almost Wasn’t: Why Collaboration Is the Most Important Material in Sustainable Design

Great sustainable buildings are a choice that requires the right people in the room in order to realize them.

That was the throughline of a recent Mountain Towns 2030 webinar hosted by Jamie Wolf Jamie W. of OZ Architecture, who brought together engineers, energy modelers, and developers to talk candidly about what it actually takes to deliver ambitious, high-performance buildings in mountain communities. The conversation covered energy modeling, entitlement realities, infrastructure constraints, and wildfire resilience, but the deeper subject was always collaboration: who’s at the table, when they show up, and what happens when they don’t.

The Gap Between Design Intent and Real-World Performance

Mountain towns are not generic places, and they don’t respond well to generic solutions. They face seasonal occupancy swings, constrained power grids, short construction windows, high material costs, wildfire exposure, and groundwater surprises, all of which are variables that standard building codes and energy models weren’t designed to capture.

“Are we unintentionally limiting solutions by who we’re inviting into the room?” Wolf asked. It’s the question that started this whole conversation, one that emerged from a chance exchange with Aspen policy writers at the Mountain Towns 2030 Summit. One conversation led to another, and a clear pattern emerged: the gap between a building’s design intent and its real-world performance almost always lives in the handoffs, and in who was missing from the table early on.

Chris Vandal, Associate Principal at OZ Architecture, framed it this way: the most successful projects aren’t successful because of a specific technology or design direction. They succeed because the right experts found alignment from the start. OZ frequently runs multi-day “charrettes” at the outset of a project, bringing every relevant subject-matter expert into the room early on to inform decisions. This helps avoid the expensive and demoralizing experience of retrofitting both design and budget later.

Energy Modeling as a Collaboration Tool, Not Just a Compliance Box

Libby Middleton, PE, BEMP of Group 14 Engineering offered two case studies from a large condo+hotel in Steamboat Springs that illustrated what collaborative energy modeling can actually do when it goes beyond code compliance.

The first involved glazing. The design team had selected low solar heat gain coefficient glass, following the conventional wisdom that less solar heat means lower cooling loads. Reasonable in theory. But Steamboat is a heating-dominated climate, and with the right model and the right questions, the team discovered the opposite was true for this building, in this orientation, on this site. They studied five different glazing options and landed on the highest solar heat gain coefficient, the exact opposite of their anticipated selection..

The second example was about occupancy assumptions. Standard energy modeling protocols assume a building is 100% occupied year-round. That’s fine for a downtown Denver apartment but is not the same mountain condo+hotel that empties out between seasons.

During a team meeting, Wolf spoke up: “that’s not how this building is actually going to operate.” The team worked with the developer to pull real occupancy data from their portfolio, updated the model schedules, and found a 17% reduction in predicted energy use intensity (realized annually due to seasonal swings), and accurate heating and cooling load profiles. Testing an assumption led to a clearer picture of which design decisions actually moved the needle.

“Garbage in, garbage out,” Libby said. The earlier expert opinions and data  are integrated and inform the model, the less you’re guessing. And in predictive modeling, where you’re trying to understand how a building will actually perform against Colorado Building Performance Standard targets, AIA 2030 commitments, or net-zero goals, accuracy isn’t academic.

The Real Constraints Mountain Towns Face

OZ Architecture Partner, Rebecca (Becky) Stone (Rebecca Stone), AIA, NCIDQ, has worked in mountain resort communities for nearly 30 years, and brought the conversation down to earth with a series of case studies that illustrated just how interconnected mountain town development really is.

On community housing: entitlements in resort communities almost always require developers to contribute to workforce housing, sometimes by directly building it, sometimes by funding it in partnership with others. Burlingame in Aspen, Vail Health’s staff housing project, and Wintergreen in Keystone weren’t charity projects. They were the cost of doing business in a place where you can build a world-class building while ensuring there is a community there to support its operation.

On infrastructure: Becky’s team is currently working on The Stockman in Steamboat Springs, CO where they wanted to go all-electric. The local utility’s response was grounded in the reality of their operational capacity. It would necessitate a new power plant for this to be a viable option. Alterra is working on a geothermal system for the broader mountain, but it won’t be ready in time for this project’s construction timeline. The result is a building that can’t yet be what its designers want it to be, not because of any failure of ambition, but because the infrastructure simply isn’t available yet. Policy and infrastructure have to move together, or sustainability mandates just strangle development.

On wildfire: fire departments are an underappreciated early stakeholder in mountain construction. On a Snowmass Village project, the team worked with the local fire department and ultimately purchased them a new truck with the right ladder and rescue equipment to support the building type they were designing. At Deer Valley’s new East Village, the design team worked with mountain operators to cut strategic tree gaps in the runs, wide enough that a wildfire couldn’t jump them and reach the village. The Forest Service was at that table too since they own the land.

On groundwater: on a current Jackson project, geotech work revealed an environmental plume underground. The city was relieved as a developer willing to clean it up is not something you take for granted. The team turned the remediation into a foundation strategy, creating a waterproofed bathtub structure for the parking garage as they removed the contaminated soil.

Sewer Heat Recovery and the Art of Finding Common Ground

Chris Imperato, Associate Principal at AECOM, walked through the National Western Center in Denver’s sewer heat recovery system. The project took over a year of financial modeling and feasibility work before a single design drawing was made, and required buy-in from the City and County of Denver, Denver Water, Metro Wastewater, Xcel Energy, the National Western Stock Show, Colorado State University, Saunders Construction, and Centrio as plant operator.

Nobody woke up one morning and decided to build a sewer heat recovery system. It happened because every one of those organizations shared a common sustainability goal, and because the team was patient enough to find the financial and operational structures that made it work for all of them.

His advice for bridging the gap between feasibility study and built project: find partners who share a common vision, who prioritize sustainability as the driver, and seek the funding that follows when enough people are genuinely committed to the project’s success. “In mountain communities, that’s how they all stick together,” he said. “They share many common goals.”

Key Takeaways for Mountain Towns

• Bring stakeholders in before decisions are finalized. The cost of early collaboration is a charrette. The cost of late collaboration is redesign, budget overruns, and missed opportunities you can’t get back.

• Energy modeling is a design tool, not just a compliance checkbox. Collaborative, predictive modeling, informed by real occupancy data, local climate conditions, and actual operational plans,  improves energy-use predictions, significantly informing final design decisions.

• Mountain town occupancy is seasonal. Generic code assumptions about year-round full occupancy will produce inaccurate models. Push back on defaults and use real data from comparable properties.

• The power grid is a constraint, not a given. All-electric ambitions require utility conversations early. If the grid can’t support the load, the strategy has to adapt, and advocating for grid capacity upgrades is part of the work.

• Fire departments are design partners, not permit reviewers. Engage them early, understand their equipment and staffing constraints, and design (and sometimes fund) around them.

• Wildfire resilience extends beyond the building envelope. Tree gap design, site access planning, mechanical ventilation for air quality events, and coordinated land management with the Forest Service are all part of a complete approach.

• Shared goals make the impossible possible. The most ambitious projects get built when every stakeholder at the table can point to a reason it matters to them. Find that common ground first.

—

Jamie Wolf is a Project Architect at  OZ Architecture and a longtime participant in the Mountain Towns 2030 community. Panelists included Rebecca (Becky) Stone and Chris Vandal of OZ Architecture, Libby Middleton of Group 14 Engineering, and Chris Imperato of AECOM.

This article is part of the Mountain Towns 2030 webinar recap series. The next webinar is part of our new Wildfire Resilience Series, beginning May 23rd – details at mt2030.org.

Powering Resilience: How Innovative Energy Storage is Strengthening Mountain Towns and Ski Areas

At the Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Summit in Breckenridge, CO, energy experts explored how advanced battery and inertial-based systems are helping mountain communities and ski areas secure clean, reliable power amid growing climate uncertainty.

The Challenge in Mountain Communities: Climate Risks and Energy Vulnerabilities

Mountain towns are deeply connected to surrounding high-elevation landscapes that serve as headwaters for critical watersheds. But that same geography also makes them vulnerable. Wildfires, heavy snowstorms, and fallen trees increasingly disrupt power lines, threatening safety, economic activity, and daily life.

At the same time, rising electricity costs—driven largely by maintaining poles and wires—are putting pressure on residents and businesses.

Ski resorts and hospitality operators, which anchor many mountain economies, rely on consistent power to operate lifts, lodges, and infrastructure. As demand response events become more frequent, these businesses need flexible solutions that can stabilize energy use without compromising operations.

Building Resilience Through Advanced Energy Storage Solutions

Energy storage is emerging as a key solution.

Michael Thomas , founder of Cleanview and the newsletter Distilled, noted the dramatic drop in lithium-ion battery costs—from about $1,200 per kilowatt-hour in 2010 to roughly $100—unlocking new opportunities for local energy resilience and decarbonization.

Brent Hill, Managing Partner at Origin Ventures, emphasized the growing urgency. With AI and data center expansion driving demand, “we expect the next decade to look like an increase of 35 to 80 gigawatts of power,” he said.

Chris Klima of Torus introduced a hybrid system combining flywheel technology with lithium iron phosphate batteries. Designed for subtransmission and distribution systems, it is particularly well suited to mountain towns and ski areas.

Flywheels store energy kinetically by spinning a rotor in a vacuum, enabling rapid response and grid stabilization. “The flywheel is able to store energy  via an inertial-based storage device and provide clean power,” Klima explained. Combined with batteries, the system delivers both short bursts and longer-duration energy support.

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Michael Thomas, Chris Klima, and Brent Hill at the Mountain Towns 2030 Summit in Breckenridge

Real-World Applications: Mountain Towns and Ski Resorts Leading the Way

These technologies are already being deployed.

In Utah’s Wasatch Front, Torus has partnered with ski resorts and communities to integrate storage with solar and existing infrastructure. At Woodward Park City, systems are improving solar utilization and backup capacity. At Snowbird, the Torus system will support tram operations by smoothing power fluctuations and stabilizing the grid.

Energy storage also reduces costs by addressing peak demand charges. “There’s usually one event that’s 40 or 50 percent higher than any other event in the whole month,” Hill said. “Our job is to shave that off.”

By reducing peak loads, storage systems lower strain on infrastructure and help avoid costly upgrades that drive long-term rate increases.

Safety and Sustainability: Addressing Community Concerns

Concerns around battery safety and environmental impact remain, especially given high-profile battery fires and lithium mining challenges.

Torus has focused on safety through rigorous testing and built-in fire suppression systems. Klima emphasized the company’s approach: “We are pro-regulation… making sure the safety factors are there.”

On sustainability, the company is reducing reliance on lithium by increasing the role of flywheels, which are primarily made of recyclable steel. “Our flywheel is 95 percent recyclable… and it lasts for 25 years,” Klima noted.

Technical Advantages and Maintenance

Internal-based, or flywheel systems offer high efficiency—around 88 to 91 percent—and long service life with minimal maintenance. The rotor spins in a vacuum and is magnetically levitated, reducing friction and wear.

Torus typically retains ownership of deployed systems, managing them remotely with 24/7 monitoring. This model shifts costs from upfront capital investment to ongoing operational expenses, making adoption more accessible for communities and resorts.

Collaboration and Policy: Driving the Energy Transition Together

The panel emphasized that technology alone is not enough—collaboration and communication are essential.

Hill highlighted the importance of storytelling and public perception: “where policymakers can really help is… telling all the success stories versus the failures.”

Mountain communities, utilities, and private partners all have a role to play in advancing deployment. Strong partnerships can accelerate adoption, build trust, and align climate goals with economic resilience.

Key Takeaways for Mountain Towns

Join us this year at the Mountain Towns 2030 Summit in Sun Valley

Real talk from ski industry leaders on the winter that wasn’t: “We can take the profile of this issue to a whole new level

By Anna Robertson

“It was dire.”

That was how one outdoor industry leader categorized this winter at a frank conversation among leaders in the ski industry at the Progression conference, an event that connects investors, founders, and thought leaders to drive climate impact.

In a talk titled, “Where’s all the snow?” moderated by Mountain Towns 2030 Executive Director Chris Steinkamp , ski industry leaders talked about the real economic impacts of climate change on their businesses – while also discussing the opportunity to create change through innovative technologies, education, and athlete activation.

“We had a pretty significant impact on sales,” Backcountry CEO Kevin Lenau shared about the impact of this year’s lackluster snow season, citing a significant downturn in revenue.

Sophie Goldschmidt , CEO of the US Ski and Snowboard Team added that climate change is increasing costs for their organization as they pivoted to change venues or adjust to get athletes the time they need on snow. “Flexibility comes at a high cost and investment,” she explained. “On the training side and the competition side, it’s having a material impact on us.”

How this winter changed the ski industry

Lenau said the lack of snow has led Backcountry to diversify into other sports, but he believes the situation is “actually worse than it looks,” adding, “Even though you can still ski, it’s going to become more and more expensive as smaller resorts aren’t going to be able to pay for the snowmaking necessary to stay open. As the supply shrinks, you’re going to have less young people and less people coming into the sport. It’s dire.”

Raj Basi Raj B., VP of Sustainability for POWDR, which owns ski resorts like Copper Mountain and Snowbird as well as training facilities like Woodward and concessions in national parks, said that adapting to uncertain conditions was a logistical challenge.

Lack of snow this year forced them to “revisit planning structures and hiring structures to be  more dynamic.” They’ve also been looking to create more alternatives for guests who visit their mountains. “You can’t expect things to be the way they were 30 years ago,” he said. “Expectations have to change and we have to come to terms with that reality. There’s also a lot of opportunity for innovation.

Looking toward the future

One positive outcome Lenau described is increasing innovation in more sustainable materials and technology, as well as a stronger interest from consumers around sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

“Our consumer really cares about these problems… We are seeing search trends on sustainability, recycled, organic materials increasing,” he said, adding, “It’s great to see another revolution in material science that is really moving us forward.”

While technology can help address climate change, Goldschmidt says we have to move quickly.

“We still can slow down what’s happening and in some instances, I believe, reverse it, with new technologies,” she said. “But we don’t want to wait for that. We need to impact it right away. I think people have maybe been lulled into a false sense of security because the past few years we’ve had great snow years.”

If we don’t address the impacts of climate change, she warned, “in 10-20 years time, our ski season will be a lot shorter.”

Goldschmidt sees a huge opportunity to affect change tied to the Olympic Games coming to  Park City, Utah in 2034.

“Let’s use the next 8 years to educate about the issue we have, which is dire, but what we need to do to impact it,” she suggested. “There are things everybody in this country can be doing to make a difference, and we can take the profile of this issue to a whole new level.”

That might include mobilizing athletes and their platforms. “Our athletes authentically care about this, they’ve been pushing us to do more,” she said. “They are absolute key stakeholders to help us to market some of what we can do, but also some of the challenges. No one should be in the dark about the situation.”

Brad Chedister, Head of Project Orion from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee called for collaboration and innovation.

“It is an existential threat, it is very serious. But let’s be a little more optimistic on the tech side,” he said. “We win together. We need to set up purposeful ecosystems that collaborate with each other.”

That’s the mission of Mountain Towns 2030, which helped seed the Mountain Collaborative, an effort among the four largest ski resorts to share solutions across their organizations.

Combining that collaboration with consumer awareness could be a key unlock, Basi added. “We have millions of people visiting our locations who are receptive to climate messaging every day.”

How Jackson, Wyoming built a ‘culture of sustainability’ – saving money and reducing pollution

The goal was simple, but the challenge was significant: cut energy use by 10%, reducing pollution and costs for the town and its residents.

But when leaders in Jackson, Wyoming set out to tackle this ambitious goal, it wasn’t just about hitting a number – it was about changing the culture and creating a foundation of collaboration, trust, and innovation that has positioned the mountain town for the future.

At the recent Mountain Towns 2030 Summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, leaders from the Town of Jackson, Teton County, and Lower Valley Energy shared their groundbreaking journey of collaboration to achieve ambitious energy conservation goals, exploring how partnerships between local governments, utilities, and communities can align climate policies with actionable solutions. The efforts of Energy Conservation Works (ECW) – a collaboration between Jackson, Teton County, and Lower Valley Energy – serves as a practical example for other mountain towns addressing climate change challenges.

Executive Director Melissa Turley began by recounting the origins of EWC, which emerged from the Town of Jackson’s ambitious 10×10 Initiative in 2006. The goal was simple yet challenging: reduce the Town and County’s energy use by 10% from 2006 levels by 2010.

“The cheapest kilowatt hour is the one that isn’t used,” Turley emphasized, highlighting their commitment to conservation over consumption.

This early success was the product of collaboration among government entities and Lower Valley Energy, which provided technical expertise and operational support. ECW became formalized through a Town & County Joint Powers Agreement, creating a permanent structure for cooperative action.

“The creation of ECW wasn’t just about reducing energy use—it was about setting the stage for lasting collaboration and innovation,” Turley explained.

The panel highlighted several flagship programs that exemplify ECW’s impact on sustainability in the region:

1. Residential and Commercial Loan Program

James P. O’Brien , Board Chair for ECW and Partner at Baker McKenzie, explained how ECW’s loan program makes energy upgrades accessible to residents and businesses. Offering low-interest loans (1.5%) up to $40,000, the program is administered through Lower Valley Energy’s billing system, allowing participants to repay loans directly on their utility bills.

Projects funded through the program include:

“By embedding loan payments into utility bills, we’ve made it easier than ever for people to invest in energy efficiency,” O’Brien said.

2. Community Solar Project

Turley shared details about ECW’s 1-megawatt solar array, a flagship initiative that pairs renewable energy generation with battery storage. The project prioritizes equitable access, reserving subscriptions for low-income households at significantly discounted rates.

Funding sources include:

“This solar project not only reduces emissions but ensures that clean energy is accessible to everyone in our community,” Turley said.

Jon Hougland , Chief Financial Officer for Lower Valley Energy, highlighted the unique strengths of Lower Valley Energy’s cooperative model, which prioritizes community needs over profits. This structure has allowed Lower Valley Energy to implement tailored solutions like:

“Our cooperative model isn’t just a business structure—it’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the goals of ECW,” he explained.

Former Jackson, WY Mayor Mark Barron reflected on the leadership principles that made ECW’s early initiatives successful. From the outset, building trust between local governments, the utility, and the community was a top priority.

“It wasn’t just about cutting energy use,” he said. “It was about creating a culture of sustainability that people could believe in.”

Jackson Town Council Member Jonathan Schechter emphasized that partnerships thrive when grounded in shared values and clear communication. He identified five guiding principles for successful collaboration:

  1. Passion: Engage individuals deeply committed to climate action.
  2. People: Leverage local expertise to drive innovation and problem-solving.
  3. Focus: Maintain a shared vision to align diverse stakeholders.
  4. Trust: Build relationships that can withstand differing priorities.
  5. Flexibility: Adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise.

“Sustainability isn’t static—it’s about evolving to meet the needs of our community while keeping our values at the core,” he said.

The panel also addressed key challenges ECW faces as it continues to grow:

“We’ve learned that success comes from listening as much as leading,” Turley said. “Community input is invaluable.”

For towns seeking to replicate ECW’s success, the panel offered actionable insights:

  1. Conduct Energy Audits: Identify inefficiencies to set data-driven priorities.
  2. Build Strong Partnerships: Engage governments, utilities, nonprofits, and residents in a shared vision.
  3. Diversify Funding Sources: Combine grants, tax measures, and private investments to maximize impact.
  4. Embed Equity in Programs: Ensure initiatives serve all community members, particularly those with fewer resources.

“The principles of collaboration and trust apply everywhere. Every community has the potential to lead in sustainability,” O’Brien said.

Energy Conservation Works demonstrates how partnerships between local governments, utilities, and residents can achieve transformative climate solutions. By fostering trust, collaboration, and innovation, Jackson has created a replicable framework for addressing energy challenges in mountain towns and beyond.

“Our story shows that small towns can achieve big things when they work together. It’s a model of what’s possible with trust and shared purpose,” Barrons said.

Watch the full seminar here

How leaders in Teton County are supporting local businesses – and creating resilient communities

At the Mountain Towns 2030 Summit in Jackson, WY, a dynamic panel convened to discuss how local organizations are advancing sustainable business practices and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. The session explored the successes of the Sustainable Business Leaders program, a collaboration between the Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling Department and the nonprofit Riverwind Foundation.

The Sustainable Business Leaders (SBL) program serves as a blueprint for fostering sustainable practices across local businesses and organizations. Shannon Shuptrine, Sustainability Program Manager at the Riverwind Foundation, highlighted how the program integrates environmental, social, and economic goals into business operations, aligning participants with Teton County’s climate action and zero-waste goals.

“Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste,” Shuptrine said. “It’s about creating systems where businesses thrive while protecting the environment and strengthening community resilience.”

The program offers businesses practical support from the Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling, including:

“Our role is to empower businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to make meaningful, measurable changes,” said Rebecca Kiefer, Outreach Coordinator for Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling.

Each panelist shared how their organizations have leveraged the SBL program to integrate sustainability into their operations.

Grand Teton Association

Nick Delmolino described how the Grand Teton Association implemented a Sustainability Management Plan focused on waste reduction and conservation education. By aligning their practices with SBL principles, the organization has significantly reduced landfill contributions while educating park visitors about sustainability.

“We’ve learned that leading by example is one of the most effective ways to inspire change,” Delmolino said.

Teton Raptor Center

Amy Brennan McCarthy shared how the Teton Raptor Center incorporated renewable energy and waste diversion strategies into their operations. The center also focuses on wildlife conservation, demonstrating how environmental stewardship extends beyond human activities.

“Sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a responsibility we owe to the ecosystems and species we serve,” she said.

Healthy Being Café, Juicery & Wellbeing Market

Jessica Vandenbroeke highlighted her business’s journey toward sustainability, which includes sourcing local ingredients, eliminating single-use plastics, and educating customers about waste reduction. The café’s efforts have earned them a prominent role as a model for green business practices in the region.

“For us, sustainability is about aligning our values with our operations—ensuring that every decision we make reflects care for our planet and our community,” she said.

The panelists emphasized how the SBL program creates ripple effects across the community. By supporting businesses in reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices, the program contributes to broader county-wide climate goals.

Key accomplishments to date include:

The session concluded with actionable advice for attendees looking to replicate the program in their own communities:

  1. Start with Small Wins: Businesses don’t have to tackle everything at once; incremental steps build momentum.
  2. Leverage Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, nonprofits, and businesses is key to scaling sustainability efforts.
  3. Measure Impact: Tracking progress ensures accountability and demonstrates the value of sustainability initiatives.
  4. Engage Customers and Employees: Educating and involving stakeholders creates buy-in and amplifies impact.

“Sustainability isn’t just an operational choice—it’s a way to lead, inspire, and build resilience across our community,” said Shuptrine.

WATCH THE FULL SESSION

“Even small communities can lead the way:” How to drive local climate action through collaboration

When it comes to climate impact, sometimes it takes a village – or ten.

EcoAction Partners began with a simple but ambitious idea: create a centralized resource to help rural communities tackle sustainability challenges together. What started as a small nonprofit in Telluride has grown into a regional leader, coordinating efforts across three counties  and ten local governments to address greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and implement climate action plans.

In a discussion at the Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Solutions Summit Summit, leaders at the forefront of climate action in Colorado’s San Miguel, Ouray, and San Juan Counties explored how rural mountain communities can band together to combat climate change, sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and practical advice.

“In 2007, sustainability was just becoming a buzzword,” explained Kim Wheels, Energy Specialist at EcoAction Partners, reflecting on the organization’s early days. “By pooling resources from local governments and our cooperative utility, we were able to launch a nonprofit to serve the entire region.” Wheels has dedicated over 16 years to designing and implementing impactful regional programs.

Today, EcoAction Partners drives initiatives like the Snuffles Energy Board, a coalition of ten local governments focused on implementing climate action strategies ranging from energy efficiency programs to groundbreaking microgrids.

Some of their wins include:

Kendra Held, Climate Action Coordinator for EcoAction Partners, emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “Our regional climate action plan would have been impossible without the Snuffles Energy Board. Together, we’ve leveraged funding and expertise to tackle challenges that no single community could handle alone.”

Of course, progress hasn’t come without its hurdles. The panelists shared candidly about the challenges they’ve faced, including:

Despite these obstacles, EcoAction Partners has persisted by leaning into collaboration and reframing challenges as opportunities. “Every community brings something unique to the table,” said Wheels. “Even the smallest towns can teach us something valuable about resilience and resourcefulness.”

Whether you’re part of a small town or a sprawling city, the panel offered actionable insights for anyone looking to launch or strengthen climate initiatives:

  1. Collaborate Across Borders: Climate change doesn’t stop at town lines. Regional collaboration amplifies impact and attracts funding.
  2. Start with Data: Greenhouse gas inventories provide a roadmap for prioritizing actions with the greatest impact.
  3. Engage Everyone: From local governments to utilities to nonprofits, diverse partnerships create a stronger foundation for success.
  4. Secure Funding: Donor engagement and grant writing are critical to turning plans into action.

The panelists also reminded attendees that climate work is as much about hope and storytelling as it is about science and policy. Jason Corzine, President & CEO of the Telluride Foundation,  shared how their organization has pivoted from funding individual projects to becoming a major backer of regional climate action, securing over $5.3 million for initiatives in 2023 alone.

“Climate work can feel overwhelming,” said Emma Gerona, Executive Director of EcoAction Partners, who leads efforts to tackle sustainability challenges across three counties. “But when you focus on small wins, celebrate progress, and keep the big picture in mind, it becomes a lot more manageable—and even fun.”

As Corzine put it, “This is about putting the action in climate action planning—and showing that even small communities can lead the way.”

See the whole seminar here:

Leader argues for new way forward on climate that brings together Indigenous and Western perspectives: “We need all ways of knowing”

At the Mountain Towns 2030 Conference in Jackson, WY, James Rattling Leaf, Principal at Wolakota Labs LLC and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, delivered a deeply impactful session about Indigenous and western collaboration to shape a better future.

Drawing on his rich heritage and expertise, Rattling Leaf emphasized the critical role of Indigenous knowledge in addressing the climate crisis, and highlighted how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and innovative frameworks like ethical space can inform climate resilience and healing.

🤝🏾Bridging cultural knowledge with modern science

Rattling Leaf began by grounding his presentation in the resilience of Indigenous communities – and the all-hands-on-deck moment we find ourselves in.

“For us, climate change is not new. We’ve always had to deal with it,” he said. “But today, we face more people, barriers, and climate impacts than ever before.”

That’s why it’s more important than ever, Rattling Leaf said, to embrace the concept of ethical space, a framework that fosters collaboration between Western science and Indigenous knowledge. Ethical space emphasizes mutual respect, allowing both knowledge systems to thrive without diminishing one in favor of the other.

“Ethical space is not just a theoretical construct; it’s a commitment to honoring two ways of knowing equally. This is where meaningful partnerships begin,” he said.

This concept is increasingly relevant as governments, scientists, and communities seek more inclusive and effective approaches to climate action.

So what does that look like in practice? Rattling Leaf highlighted the growing integration of Indigenous knowledge in climate assessments at both national and regional levels:

“These assessments show that we are not just participants—we are leaders in shaping the solutions for the future,” he said.

Through the Indigenous Engagement Institute, Rattling Leaf has facilitated gatherings that unite tribal leaders, scientists, and policymakers to develop tools and frameworks for ethical collaboration, which have been instrumental in building trust and fostering co-creation of climate solutions.

Rattling Leaf also talked about the Dual Authoritative Framework, which places Indigenous and Western perspectives side by side:

“By aligning these two perspectives,” he explained, “We create a foundation for shared understanding and joint decision-making.”

🏅Success stories & real-world collaboration

One of the most promising areas of collaboration has been the co-management of public lands. Rattling Leaf highlighted the Black Hills National Forest partnership, where tribes work alongside the U.S. Forest Service to integrate traditional practices like controlled burns and habitat restoration.

“When we co-manage these lands, we’re not just protecting resources—we’re healing our relationship with them,” he said.

Rattling Leaf also shared moving examples of cultural revitalization, such as the restoration of sacred sites and the reintroduction of traditional ceremonies. These efforts have dual benefits, fostering ecological and cultural healing.

And through initiatives like the MAIA Work Group, Indigenous communities are combining storytelling traditions with modern data-driven approaches to create holistic climate strategies.

“When we pair data with stories, we connect the past to the future in a way that inspires action today.”

Overcoming challenges & finding opportunity

Climate change can exacerbate historical trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples. Rattling Leaf emphasized that restoring land stewardship and cultural practices are a vital part of both ecological and community healing.

Another challenge: limited funding and lack of representation continue to restrict Indigenous participation in decision-making processes.

“We are making strides, but we need more seats at the table and more voices in the conversation,” he argued.

Scaling the ethical space framework to other communities also requires sustained resources, education, and dialogue. Rattling Leaf urged participants to advocate for this model in their own regions.

Rattling Leaf concluded with a powerful call to action, urging everyone to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into their climate initiatives by:

“We need all ways of knowing to tackle something like climate change. It’s not just a challenge—it’s an opportunity for connection and healing.”

The session was a poignant reminder that Indigenous solutions are not only relevant but essential for building a sustainable future. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices, communities can foster resilience, honor cultural values, and address the climate crisis holistically.

“The work of reconciliation is hard, but it’s necessary,” he said. “Together, we can create a future where every voice is heard, and every solution is valued.”

Watch the full session here:

For more information:Wolakota Labs