David Temple- President

A Colorado native, owner David B. Temple, has been involved in the green industry for 40 years. He has the distinction of being one of the nation's few Board Certified Master Arborists.
He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture and is affiliated with the International Society of Arboriculture, Colorado Nurseryman's Association, Tree Care Industry Association and the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, where he served a term as President.
David now concentrates his efforts at Trees of Trail Canyon where he grows specialized and diverse varieties of large, specimen trees

Joe Lanier- Vice President

Joe Lanier is a 4th generation farmer in Pleasant View, Colorado. 

Scott Watson - Treasurer

Cindy Wallace - Member at Large

Cindy Wallace graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Agronomy - Soil Resources and Conservation. She has held many positions in the field, including: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Chemist for the town of Telluride, Water Quality Specialist for the Southern Ute tribe, Public Health and Environmental Director for the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, and retired after serving 20 years with the USDA - NRCS office in Cortez, as an Agronomist. Cindy comes from a ranching family who has land and grazing permits across several areas of Montezuma county. She and her husband have a combined family of 5 adult children and 3 grandchildren who are all still very much involved in the ranching industry.

Alysen Tarrant - Secretary

Aly joined HDCD in 2023 after moving to Colorado from her home state of Utah. Aly holds a BS in Geology from the University of Utah and has over 17 years of experience in environmental permitting and compliance.  She previously held a Board position with the Southwest Wildlife Foundation in Cedar City, Utah. While there, she donated her time and expertise to assist with the permitting and construction of landscape improvement projects in the organization’s Cedar Canyon Nature Park.  Through her vocation, she has participated in numerous scientific baseline projects, including projects to support designations for International Dark Sky Places. She and her family enjoy exploring the back countries of their new home state, and take pride in the conservation efforts that ensure the backcountries are protected for future appreciation.   

STAFF

Neva Connolly - District Manager

Neva joined the HDCD 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 Endangered Species Act Section 10 Multi-Species Conservation Planning and NEPA requirements.

Erica Holm - Office Manager

Erica has been with the Conservation Districts for a year now. She grew up in Mancos, and is the fifth generation of her family to live in Montezuma County. Erica went to college at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where she competed on the track team, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree. She has worn many hats, including being a restaurant manager, administrative assistant, and classroom teacher. Erica loves spend her free time with her husband and three dogs; rafting, paddleboarding, gardening, and hiking whenever possible.