Matt Barnes, a research associate with the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, is a range scientist, wildlife conservationist, and former ranch manager, who works on Reintegrating Wildness in working landscapes. He works with land managers to improve rangeland stewardship and has worked with ranchers to prevent conflicts with large carnivores such as grizzly bears and wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming.

He explored landscape corridors from the Northern to the Southern Rockies, across the heart of the West. Based in southwestern Colorado, Matt is now a member of Colorado’s wolf restoration Stakeholder Advisory Group, and a science and coexistence advisor to the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project.

As owner of Shining Horizons Land Management, Matt works with ranchers and agencies on strategic grazing management and rangeland health. Previously, he worked with the organization ‘People and Carnivores’, and several agencies. He holds a B.S. in wildlife ecology and an M.S. in range science.

For over three decades, Anne has advocated for the restoration of wolves to the American West, especially to Colorado. As an outgrowth of that passion, she provided creative direction for the 'Born To Be Wild' license plate. When not tending to her full-time career as an executive assistant, Anne spends her time photographing the native wildlife and landscapes of the American West. Like her husband, Rob, she aims to help as much of the American West again embody the true meaning of “wild.”

Hailing originally from the Amish uplands of Pennsylvania, Anne has ventured far to quench her desire for mastery of a variety of ancient arts, including historic needlework, hand-binding books, art-journaling and playing a vintage banjo—clawhammer style—for her own enjoyment. Her appreciation for these highly skilled, beautiful art forms is typical of the intricately textured way she sees the world. Anne brings this rich experience to bear in myriad ways—a perfect complement to the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project’s vision of a world restored.

Bella Blue serves as an honorary advisor to the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project and lends her keen eye to all of our endeavors. When she's not keeping her human companions on the straight-and-narrow, she's doing all she can to keep the world's squirrels and rabbits on their toes.

Gillian was born on the East Coast, raised on the West Coast, and now makes her home near the Rocky Mountains, where she embraces the outdoors at every opportunity. Her art studio in Colorado has become a mini-museum of sorts, chock full of leaves, twigs, dried insects, rocks, acorns and feathers. Her post-graduate studies at Cal State Monterey Bay in Science Illustration allowed a deep dive into vertebrate morphology and intense wolf studies, which led to a growing passion for wolves, coinciding nicely with the impending gray wolf reintroduction in Colorado.

Gillian’s recent work with the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project and the International Wolf Center further confirmed that this work is where she feels most at home. Through her art, Gillian inspires others to love and protect the natural world. On days off, you can find her streamside, reading, fishing and playing guitar.

Gary joined the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project as an advisor at the end of 2020—a logical transition from his role as an advisor to the successful ballot campaign for Proposition 114 to restore gray wolves to Colorado.

He is a wildlife biologist holds a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of New Hampshire (1978) and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University (1981). His master’s work focused on the bighorn sheep herd in Dinosaur National Monument in the northwest corner of Colorado.

Gary specialized in endangered species management for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks & Wildlife), where he worked for 23 years. He retired from the agency in 2010 and has since held positions with Great Old Broads for Wilderness, the La Plata County Humane Society, and New Mexico State Parks. He is currently the Wildlife Program Manager for the San Juan Citizens Alliance, a Durango based environmental advocacy organization.

Courtney Vail has worked within the conservation and animal welfare field for over 30 years. It was Courtney's vision that led to the creation of the 'Born To Be Wild' license plate.

As a wildlife biologist and social scientist with a deep background in environmental policy and psychology, she has provided leadership for the design and implementation of diverse domestic and international programs, campaigns, and initiatives for marine and terrestrial wildlife in the private, non-profit, and government sectors where she seeks to align science and ethics.

In support of Proposition 114, Courtney worked to integrate the voices of indigenous peoples as important stakeholders in wolf protection. As an advisor to the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, she designs and supports collaborative initiatives, community dialogues, and other stakeholder engagement to reduce conflict and facilitate coexistence between humans and wildlife.

She holds a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science/Natural Resource Management and an M.S. in Psychology. As Director of Lightkeepers Foundation, Courtney believes every individual has the power and obligation to make a difference.