Mancos Conservation District

Our Mission:

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To promote long-term sustainable use and protection of the Mancos River Watershed. We provide educational, financial, and technical assistance to meet these conservation goals.

The Mancos Conservation District is committed to providing accessible access to our tools and resources. We have worked to make our website as accessible as possible, however, we recognize this is a work in progress. Please review our accessibility policy and reach out if we can provide resources in an easier way for you.

A map titled "Nail Down the Top Soil". The picture depicts the different landscapes in sections of Colorado.

History of Conservation Districts

Conservation Districts trace their roots back to the 1930s, when national attention was directed to the soil erosion crisis of the Dust Bowl. Since then, soil conservation districts have evolved into a unique unit of local government that utilizes state, federal, and private sector resources to solve today’s natural resource problems. Including: soil conservation, water quality and conservation, wildlife habitat, and forest management.

Conservation Districts Today: How They Help

The Mancos Conservation District (MCD) provides rural landowners with information, technical and engineering support, and access to government cost-share programs that deal with improvement of water distribution, on-farm irrigation systems, noxious weed control, rehabilitation of disturbed areas, and other conservation related activities.

The Mancos Conservation District logo

Meet Our Board of Supervisors

Danny Margoles, Executive Director

Danny joined the MCD as Executive Director in 2024 and oversees the District’s operations, staff, programs, and development. Danny is passionate about locally-led conservation and, in his role, the ability to build relationships and complete projects that support the Mancos community, economy, and ecosystems. Danny has a Master’s in Geography from the University of Minnesota and, prior to working with the District, coordinated the Dolores Watersheds Collaborative. Danny has lived in Mancos for the past eight years and enjoys exploring the area’s forests, rivers, and canyons with his wife and daughter.

Sensa Wolcott, Watershed Coordinator

Sensa joined the MCD team in 2021 and holds a Master’s in Biology from Miami University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Biology, and an Associate’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Fort Lewis College. Sensa previously taught high school science and is passionate about community-based conservation and connecting people with the land. Sensa and her family live on their family-owned and operated cattle ranch. She spends her time outside hiking, camping, mountain biking, and taking photos. She looks forward to using her background to support MCD and inspire conservation through dialogue and collaboration that leads to innovative solutions to today’s conservation issues.

Casey Flynn - District Conservation Technician

Casey joined MCD/NRCS as a District Conservation Technician with a forestry emphasis in June 2024. Casey is originally from Northern Virginia but has lived in the Durango area since 2018. She played college soccer at Fort Lewis College, where she received a Bachelor's degree in Biology. For the last few years, she has worked as a Certified Snowboard Instructor at Purgatory Resort. In her free time, she loves to be outside. She enjoys backpacking, biking, and snowboarding.    


Aaron Kinsley - Watershed Technician

Aaron is an AmeriCorps member serving at the MCD through the Rural Alliance for Dignity program. He spent the last 4 years in the Pacific Northwest, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from The Evergreen State College. Aaron is excited to learn about local ecology in Montezuma County while contributing to conservation. Aaron enjoys going for walks, runs, hikes, and bike rides in his free time.

Alex Fleitz - Forestry Technician

Alex is a Mancos local who went on to receive degrees in Environmental Sustainability and Psychology at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado. Alex is now an AmeriCorps member serving at the MCD through the Rural Alliance for Dignity program. For the past few years, Alex has been an instructor at Deer Hill Expeditions, a substitute teacher at the Mancos School District, as well as a sawyer for Underwood Forestry. He is excited to build on his educational and conservation experience through his work at MCD. In his free time, he enjoys various outdoor activities including backpacking, rafting, rock climbing, trail running, skiing, and biking.


Neva Connolly, District Manager

Neva joined the MCD team in 2021 and in her current role with the District, Neva will bring 16 years of experience with riparian protection and resource conservation planning, stream restoration project management, inventory and monitoring database organization, and federal review coordination for transmission lines and mining projects. Her previous projects involved extensive review in coordination with the Endangered Species Act Section 10 Multi-Species Conservation Planning and NEPA requirements.

Tara Harris, Forestry Program Manager

Tara Harris joined MCD in June 2023. She has a degree in Natural Resources Management from Eastern Kentucky University and over 5 years of experience working for Public Lands agencies - including the San Juan National Forest. Her knowledge of Forest and Rangeland Ecology translates well to working on wildfire mitigation and forest restoration projects here in Montezuma County. Tara is passionate about working alongside her community on local conservation projects and providing education on forest ecosystems and living with wildfire. Outside of work, Tara spends her time outdoors - hiking, backpacking, and riding horses.

Erica Holm, Office Manager

Erica became part of MCD in 2023. A fifth-generation resident of Montezuma County, she grew up in Mancos and is passionate about the outdoors. Erica got an English degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where she also competed on the track team. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and dogs, rafting down a river, or at her family’s cabin in the aspens. She is excited to apply her skills to the conservation world, with a particular interest in sustainable irrigation practices and their role in preserving natural resources.

Rowan Henke, Conservation Forester

Rowan joined the conservation district in July 2024 and originally hails from the midwest. She attended University of Vermont, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. After graduating, she landed in the San Juans in 2021 and spent a couple summers working seasonally at SJNF before joining the district. Rowan is passionate about forest ecology and wants to continue learning about forest systems through her work at MCD. She also enjoys opportunities to engage with the local community. When she’s not working, Rowan loves to spend her time running, biking, fishing, and snowboarding.

Meet Our Staff