About Us

Executive Director

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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.

Outreach Coordinator

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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 7 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.

President

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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.

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.

Treasurer

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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.

​Board Member

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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.