Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019

Garrett VeneKlasen

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance


Garrett was born and raised in Santa Fe New Mexico. His entire life has been in some way or another dedicated to outdoor recreation and eco-tourism in New Mexico and abroad. Downhill skiing, fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, hunting, backcounty camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, bird watching, outdoor photography, hiking, rafting, wild mushroom picking and many other outdoor pursuits across New Mexico were all an integral part of his childhood and have continued to define his lifestyle as an adult. Over the winter Garrett worked as the Political Advocacy Strategist for Conservation Voters of New Mexico leading up to and during the New Mexico Legislative session. He was instrumental in co-authoring and then lobbying SB462 – Creating an NM Office of Outdoor Recreation, which became law following the 2019 NM Legislative session. Garrett worked closely with bill sponsors, Senator Steinborn and especially Representative Angelica Rubio and City Councilor Gabe Vasquez on the bill’s Equity Fund and diversity/inclusivity narrative. He is currently the Chair of the NM State Land Office’s Conservation Advisory Board. He is also the Outreach Coordinator at NM Wild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of public lands, wildlife and watersheds throughout New Mexico. Aside from the many public lands conservation initiatives NM Wild currently tackles, Garrett’s primary mission is to help policy makers and agency directorates set the foundation and direction for New Mexico’s new Division of Outdoor Recreation in the coming years.

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