About Us
Friends of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is a non-profit that works with local federal agencies aimed at the preservation and conservation of our Monument, as well as facilitating connections between our local community members and the Monument through youth educational programs and community educational events aimed at fostering stewardship for our public lands and waters.
Meet the Team
Executive Director
A lifelong Taoseno, Nick was raised fishing, hunting and working in the Rio Grande del Norte. Taking over the family fly fishing business, Nick has spent countless hours exploring the monument guiding fly fishers. Early on in his career, Nick began volunteering for conservation groups like Trout Unlimited and New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Nick was instrumental in the Red River Habitat Improvement project, and was the President of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited for 4 years. Nick's passion for the monument and conservation were the inspiration for the creation of the friends group, and his lifelong ties to the community are invaluable to this position.
Director of Outreach
As a teacher and an avid outdoors person, Ben is passionate about connecting the youth of New Mexico to their public lands. After finishing his undergrad in Environmental Planning and Sustainability at UNM, he moved North to get closer to the mountains and rivers he enjoys the most. While living in Taos for the last 9 years, Ben has worked with the USFS building the Continental Divide Trail, the BLM conducting botanical surveys, and with NM Wild as a Wilderness Ranger before becoming a teacher in the Taos Public Schools. Now, as a teacher, he has the opportunity to teach the importance and joy of the natural world to his students both in the classroom and in the wild. Strongly believing that we are not able to defend something that we do not love, Ben works hard to provide opportunities for our students to practice loving stewardship of the lands that surround them.
Director of Development
Lindi moved to Taos in 2021 to work as a river guide on the Rio Grande, where her time on the water deepened her dedication to community and conservation. Her passion for the outdoors began in early adulthood, when time in nature became a grounding and transformative influence. Since 2017, she has worked with nonprofits in the music industry, focusing on fundraising and community engagement. Today, she partners with the northern New Mexico community to support conservation, education, and connection to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
Meet The Board
Garrett Vene Klasen
President
A New Mexico native and longtime Taos resident, Garrett is an avid outdoorsman who regularly fishes, hunts and hikes in the RGDN. He is the Northern Conservation Director for NM Wild, and has 20 years of conservation background in northern NM. He also played a key role in the creation of RGDN.
Darien Fernandez
Secretary
Darien Fernandez is the Executive Director of the Taos Land Trust. He was born and raised in Taos, with roots throughout northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, and has also lived in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is the father of three sons. Darien studied political science and English at the University of New Mexico. Darien is an outdoors enthusiast and can be found fly fishing, backcountry skiing, or on a camping adventure any given weekend. His love for the outdoors drives his professional career in the preservation of public lands and the promotion of land use policy that respects cultural traditions. He also serves as a Taos Town Councilmember, where he has led support for the Rio Hondo as an Outstanding National Resource Water, and the designation of Cerro de la Olla (Pot Mountain) and Cerro del Yuta (Ute Mountain) as wilderness areas.
Garret Hanks
Treasurer
Garret Hanks is our Treasurer and New Mexico Project Manager for Trout Unlimited. He has been the driving force behind the Rio San Antonio Habitat Project. Garret has also been a key player in the access work that the Friends group is doing, including securing a $100,000 grant for La Junta Trail reconstruction.
Cassandra Keyes (Cassie)
Board Member
Cassie is the Assistant Forest Archaeologist with the Carson National Forest and Vice President for the Taos Archaeological Society. The Taos Plateau is a special place for Cassie personally, recreationally, and archaeologically and she is committed to advocating for resource protection and stewardship through public outreach and education. Her perspective on the Monument's cultural resources is invaluable, and her expertise and ability to educate has proven to be very beneficial already.
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AnJanette Brush
Board Member
AnJanette Brush is a Taos County Commissioner with a passion for policy and issues surrounding public lands, climate, and the environment. She is also the board chair of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and a member of the National Association of Counties' steering committee for Energy, Environment, and Land Use. Many of the issues we face on the Monument require County collaboration, making AnJanette’s contributions to the Friend’s Group very valuable!
Loren Bell
Board Member
Loren Bell focuses his life on the outdoors, conservation, community, technology, and science — especially where those intersect. He is an ecologist by education and a conservationist by passion, having worked on wilderness, trails and conservation projects on National Forests, Parks throughout the West. He spent several years in rural Southeast Asia engaging with indigenous communities to better understand and protect the forests vital to their culture and livelihood. Turning his attention back home, Bell now serves as the Director of the Enchanted Circle Trails Association where he coordinates land managers and community stakeholders to advocate for, design, build, and maintain public trails. He recognizes that trails connect communities and connect us to the many physical, cultural, and mental health benefits being in nature provides. In his spare time, Bell coaches youth sports, works on Taos Ski Patrol, runs a small business, and codes open-source software.
Will Blackstock
Board Member
Will Blackstock is the owner of Far Flung Adventures and knows the Rio Grande in the Monument as well as anyone. His understanding of recreation issues in the Monument is very helpful. Additionally, Will has been one of the Founders of the Outdoor Academy Project.
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Robyn Chavez
Board Member
Robyn Chavez, a Taoseña, comes from generations connected to the land, water, and community traditions. With respect for farming, water stewardship, and ancestral knowledge, she is active in conservation and volunteers to protect sacred landscapes and support grassroots solutions. A Registered Nurse (BSN) for over a decade, she founded Red Willow Hospice, a community-based hospice rooted in culturally responsive and environmentally forward healthcare. Robyn is also active in the non-profit and philanthropic sector, building partnerships that strengthen both community well-being and the environment.
Blake Helman
Board Member
Blake Helman is a strategic advisor working at a national level with non-profit and conservation organizations like The American Fly Fishing Trade Association, The Ocean Conservancy, The Wild Steelhead Coalition, Elevate Youth, and many more. Additionally, Blake is a local fishing guide and volunteer board member with the Enchanted Circle Trout Unlimited chapter of northern New Mexico
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Kevin Whitefeather
Board Member
My name is Kevin Whitefeather. I was born and raised in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. I am the founder of Whitefeather Native Cultural Tours, the only Native owned tour business in Taos. I also own Morningtalk Indian Shop located on Taos Pueblo. I am a graduate of the Santa Fe, Indian school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Rita O'Connell
Board Member
Rita O'Connell is an advocate, performer, and producer who has lived in northern New Mexico her whole adult life. Rita has worked extensively on land and water policy and advocacy, most recently as Northern Regional Director for US Senator Martin Heinrich. She now works with Beyond Plastics, supporting communities nationwide as they fight to defend their land, air, and water. A dual Irish/American citizen, Rita holds a MA in Public Advocacy and Activism from the University of Galway. Rita is also a co-founder and co-owner of KNCE 93.5FM. She believes in independent media, community organizing, and getting outdoors to touch grass every single day.
Friends of Rio Grande del Norte is fiscally sponsored by the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance.