Colorado Water Trust is grateful to have such a wonderful legacy of strong women on our board and staff. In honor of International Women’s Day, we interviewed two of the women on the Colorado Water Trust team who help bring our mission to life every day: Danielle Snyder, Water Transactions Coordinator, and Barrett Donovan, Development & Engagement Manager. Read on to learn more about them, what inspires them, and what they love about working in water.
You both have backgrounds in environmental science. What attracted you both to working in water specifically?
Danielle: What drew me to Colorado Water Trust was the opportunity to blend my technical background with collaboration across diverse sectors – agriculture, municipal, recreation, other NGOs, and government – to make a real impact that aligns with my values of preserving and protecting the environment now and for future generations.
Barrett: Living in Colorado, water is such an important issue that impacts our lives on a daily basis. It’s something that has the potential to pull people apart, or bring them together, and I love working for Colorado Water Trust because our projects work by bringing people together around the shared goal of healthier rivers, ecosystems, and local communities. Water is also just a fascinating topic! There is so much to learn and I’m always diving into something new.
What is a Colorado Water Trust project that inspires you?
Danielle: All of them. Ha! It’s difficult to pick just one, because they each showcase the creativity and flexibility needed to do this work. If I had to pick one, I’d say our project on the Crystal River with Bill and Marge Fales. They own an agricultural operation and we pay them to leave some of their water rights in the river for years when it works for both THEM and the local stream. I love that this project creates flexible options for an agricultural producer to choose to leave their water in a stream on an annual basis, while also ensuring their operation is optimized to meet their economic and personal needs.
Barrett: I’m really inspired by our new project on Jasper Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. We took a unique offer, the donation of an old reservoir deep in a wilderness area, and turned it into a permanent project that protects public access to a beloved lake as well as flows through 37 miles of Boulder Creek. The project is a really cool intersection of agriculture, recreation, and environmental benefit and is a great example of just one of the creative ways we’re able to keep water in rivers.
What would you say to any young woman who wants to go into the water industry?
Danielle: Seek mentorship. Develop goals, both personal and professional. Find balance. Be yourself. Have fun. Deep breaths – this work is iterative, we are never done. And welcome aboard!
Barrett: I would say go for it! There are so many great organizations doing important work to protect our water resources and so many impactful ways to get involved. Working in water is a tangible way to shape the future of our state and our local communities. I’d also say that there are so many brilliant, strong women working in water—seek out mentors and follow their lead.
Is there anything else you think is important to share on International Women’s Day?
Danielle: I am incredibly grateful for the female mentorship I’ve received from women throughout my career and life. Thank you—because of you and other women like you, my peers and I feel welcomed and supported in this community. I often seek mentorship from women because I relate to the female perspective, but I look forward to a future where everyone can have relatable role models. Building an inclusive mentorship community benefits all.
Barrett: I believe that it’s important to highlight and lift up the women in our lives today and every day! Thank you to all of the strong women in my life, and to all those who have paved the way before us. I also want to highlight that Colorado Water Trust is unique in many ways, including that our leadership team (Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Board President) are all women! Kudos to Colorado Water Trust for hiring and promoting women, especially within the environmental, scientific, and legal fields that can frequently lack representation.
Alongside Danielle and Barrett, Colorado Water Trust has a fabulous group of women on our staff and board and we are grateful for all of their contributions to our important work, and to environmental issues across Colorado and beyond.
Read Danielle & Barrett’s bios, and learn more about the rest of the Colorado Water Trust team here.
