Photo by Brian Christianson
Stephen Capra, Executive Director
Stephen joined Great Burn Conservation Alliance as Executive Director in 2019. Stephen has worked in conservation for most of his adult life. In 1990 he walked the length of the Continental Divide to raise awareness for Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In New Mexico, he worked to create two wilderness areas, Ojito and Sabinosa and created, managed and directed campaigns that led to two National Monuments, Rio Grande del Norte and the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. Stephen loves all animals and has a real passion for protecting our wildest public lands.
Dale Harris, Director Emeritus
Dale Harris was a founding member of the Great Burn Conservation Alliance, and served as its Executive Director until 2019.
Dale was the only member from Montana appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee from 2006-2008, and co-chaired the group as it developed the Idaho Roadless Rule. Dale has also been vice-chair of the Idaho Roadless Implementation Commission since 2008. Dale was instrumental in developing the Clearwater Basin Collaborative in Idaho, and co-led the group for ten years. He was also a founding member and joint leader for the Montana Forest Restoration Committee.
In recognition of his conservation leadership, Dale has received several awards, including the Chevron-Texaco Conservation Award, the Eddie Bauer Company Heroes for the Earth Award, and the Cinnabar Foundation Len and Sandy Sargent Award. Dale holds a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Montana.
Dale was the only member from Montana appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee from 2006-2008, and co-chaired the group as it developed the Idaho Roadless Rule. Dale has also been vice-chair of the Idaho Roadless Implementation Commission since 2008. Dale was instrumental in developing the Clearwater Basin Collaborative in Idaho, and co-led the group for ten years. He was also a founding member and joint leader for the Montana Forest Restoration Committee.
In recognition of his conservation leadership, Dale has received several awards, including the Chevron-Texaco Conservation Award, the Eddie Bauer Company Heroes for the Earth Award, and the Cinnabar Foundation Len and Sandy Sargent Award. Dale holds a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Montana.
Hayley Newman, Field Studies and Outreach Coordinator
Hayley joined GBCA in 2018 and manages all aspects of GBCA's on-the-ground stewardship and outreach programs. Previous to the GBCA, Hayley worked on a variety of conservation issues with the National Wildlife Federation and US Forest Service. She holds a B.A. from the University of California Santa Cruz and a M.S. in road ecology from University of Montana.
Laura Lee, Staff Accountant
Laura has been GBCA's staff accountant since 2000. She enjoys working with many small non-profits in Missoula, helping them achieve their mission through effective financial management. Laura holds a B.A. from Carleton College and acquired her accounting education from the University of Montana.
Barbara Behan, Development and Communications Coordinator
Barbara has worked with GBCA on development, research, and communications for 18 years. Prior to her work with GBCA, she was an academic researcher and public historian focused on land and water issues and social history for various clients in the public and private sectors. She holds an M.A. in western US history from Arizona State University.
Rory O'Connor, Roving Ranger
Rory has been employed as GBCA's seasonal "Roving Ranger" every summer since 2008. In this position, he performs skilled backcountry ranger duties including sign maintenance, user-created camp cleanups, resource monitoring, etc. Rory previously worked as a seasonal backcountry ranger for the U.S. Forest Service.
Seasonal staff: 10-12 seasonal field employees
Board of Directors
Tom Kerr, Senior Investment Specialist, WestPac Wealth Partners
Drew Lefebvre, Teaching Naturalist, Montana Natural History Center (Board co-chair)
Nick Littman, Program Director, Missoula Writing Collaborative Instructor; GBCA seasonal trip leader
Peter Metcalf, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Montana Department of Forestry and Conservation Sciences
Mike Oliver, Deputy Director of Public and Governmental Relations (Retired), US Forest Service Region 1
Zack Porter, former Western Montana Field Director, Montana Wilderness Association
Tom Roy, Ph.D., Director (Retired), University of Montana Environmental Studies Program
Wes Swaffar, Director of Ecosystem Servcies, National Forest Foundation (Board co-chair)
Sharon Sweeney, District forest ranger (Retired), US Forest Region 1
Drew Lefebvre, Teaching Naturalist, Montana Natural History Center (Board co-chair)
Nick Littman, Program Director, Missoula Writing Collaborative Instructor; GBCA seasonal trip leader
Peter Metcalf, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Montana Department of Forestry and Conservation Sciences
Mike Oliver, Deputy Director of Public and Governmental Relations (Retired), US Forest Service Region 1
Zack Porter, former Western Montana Field Director, Montana Wilderness Association
Tom Roy, Ph.D., Director (Retired), University of Montana Environmental Studies Program
Wes Swaffar, Director of Ecosystem Servcies, National Forest Foundation (Board co-chair)
Sharon Sweeney, District forest ranger (Retired), US Forest Region 1