Past Webcasts

Stewardship Starts with Community: Insights from parks, policy, and nonprofits

(11am CT, 10am MT, 9am PT)

What valuable lessons can nature’s caretakers at all levels learn about effective community engagement from groups like the National Park Service, the Council on Environmental Quality, and nonprofits like the YMCA? Join us for this episode as Rebecca Stanfield McCown draws upon her experiences from public lands, federal policy, and place‑based community organizations to share strategies that move beyond outreach to build trust, relevance, and long‑term relationships. Together, we’ll examine how listening to community needs, working through trusted partners, and creating meaningful pathways for participation can strengthen conservation and stewardship efforts in the places people care about most.

Guest

Rebecca Stanfield McCown

YMCA Alliance of Northern New England

CEO

Rebecca Stanfield McCown is the CEO of the YMCA Alliance of Northern New England, where she supports the operations, advocacy, and community engagement efforts of 25 YMCAs across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Previously, she served as Director of the National Park Service’s Stewardship Institute, bringing more than 16 years of federal government experience focused on strategic planning, community engagement, and leadership development for park staff and partners. From 2023 to 2025, Rebecca was Director of Environmental Justice Public Engagement at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where she led public engagement efforts for the White House Office of Environmental Justice, including national community gatherings and a White House Summit. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Rebecca serves on UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Board of Advisors and is a Trustee for The Nature Conservancy’s Vermont Chapter.