WBA Joins the Grasstops Collective

One of WBA’s biggest strengths has been the relationships and trust we have built within the Central Wasatch, especially with decision-makers.

We are thrilled that our director Dani Poirier was selected to join the first cohort of Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective!

The program will build the power of grasstops outdoor recreation leaders to better advocate for public land and water conservation, climate action, and outdoor recreation.

Dani will work alongside 19 other industry and community leaders within the Grasstops Collective. These individuals help elevate the voice of their community and the important work that their organizations aim to achieve. Dani is the only representative from Utah and will be representing the winter backcountry community at large.

These leaders will connect their local-level initiatives to the larger national conversations around recreation-driven conservation. From Outdoor Alliance, “The Grasstops Collective program trains these community leaders on conservation-based advocacy skills, like building meaningful relationships with decision makers, including policy makers and their staff; identifying opportunities for others in their community to advocate for public lands and outdoor recreation; and legislative terminology and process. Advocates that graduate from the program will go on to advocate for conservation and recreation policy for years to come.”

More about Outdoor Alliance:

“Outdoor Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of organizations that includes American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Mountaineers, American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, Colorado Mountain Club, and Surfrider Foundation. For 10 years, Outdoor Alliance has united the human-powered outdoor recreation community to achieve lasting conservation victories. Their work has permanently protected 40 million acres of public land, secured $5.1 billion in funding for the outdoors, and has converted more than 100,000 outdoor enthusiasts into outdoor advocates.”

Wasatch Backcountry Alliance is a proud member of Winter Wildlands Alliance – a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes. 

Learn more about Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective by visiting their website.

Dani Poirier

Director

I was raised in the Rockies of Colorado and Canada, but have called Utah home since 2004. I was fortunate to grow up resort and cross-country skiing, but when I became involved with WBA in 2014 as an intern while attending the University of Utah, I had never been alpine touring. I joined because I believed in protecting the balance between undeveloped and developed terrain in our small but gorgeous mountain backyard. I joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and now serve as the director as of the 2023/2024 season. I am excited to pioneer this new role and help tap into our potential to protect our vital winter playground. I love ski touring in the winters, but I also dabble in other activities Utah has to offer like rafting, climbing, cross-country and resort skiing, and hiking with my high-energy pup.

Click here learn more about the people behind Wasatch Backcountry Alliance.