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The Greenway Foundation

The Greenway Foundation

Revitalizing Rivers. Reconnecting Communities.

  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Project Map
    • Employment
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  • SPREE
    • Elementary
      • Excursions (Field Trips)
        • Preschool SPREE Field Trip
        • Kindergarten SPREE Field Trip
        • First Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Second Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Third Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Fourth Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Fifth Grade SPREE Field Trip
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    • Calendar
    • Family Events
    • Stewardship Events
    • CROSSCURRENTS
    • Reception on the River
    • Gala on the Bridge
  • Give

The Greenway Team

It takes a village (and then some) to steward the river—but day-to-day, it takes the hard work of a small but mighty team. Meet the talented and passionate people of The Greenway Foundation.

Our Staff

Ryan Aids, Executive Director
Executive Director

Ryan Aids

Shelley Jewell - Finance Director
Finance Director

Shelley Jewell

Rachel Gillette – SPREE Grants & Partnerships Director
Grants & Partnerships Director

Rachel Gillette

Julianne Gagnon - Education Director
Community Engagement & Volunteer Director

Julianne Gagnon

Education Director

Bekky Harkins

Destiny Morales - Environmental Educator
Youth Programs Manager

Destiny Morales

eeCorps Member; Youth Engagement Specialist

Tianna Kell

Chief SPREE Force Agent, SPREE Mascot

Chompers the SPREEver

Crusher
SPREE Force Agent

Crusher the Crawdad

Ryan Aids, Executive Director

Executive Director

Ryan Aids

Ryan joined The Greenway Foundation after working with Verizon Wireless for nine years. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 with a degree in communications. Before his current role at the helm, Ryan led development for Greenway and was responsible for expanding our capabilities and increasing support for the mission. He has a natural way of generating enthusiasm for the work we can accomplish on behalf of the river and our community. Originally from the small town of Rincon, Georgia, Ryan has lived in Colorado since 2006. Along with his wife, Faith, they love exploring Colorado with their two dogs Chip and Maya. Ryan is a huge Georgia Bulldog football fan and always looks forward to the college football season.

From the moment Ryan arrived in Denver he knew he loved this city and he is quick to share his excitement for how The Greenway Foundation allows him to give back. His mom was an elementary school teacher for over 40 years, so Ryan has a longstanding respect and admiration for education. Ryan often talks about Greenway’s role in impacting the future of our city—our youth, providing opportunities for everyone to engage with our river with no barriers. Ryan loves being able to interact with others who love our city and want to make it better. 

The river in Ryan’s words: Growing up near the coast in south Georgia I was surrounded by water. Whether it was going to the beach with family and friends, visiting the lake every summer, or fishing and skiing in the Savannah River, I spent a lot of time in and around water. Soon after moving to Denver I realized just how much I missed it and could be quoted saying things like, “Man, if this place had a beach it would have everything!” Turns out it does. Working at The Greenway Foundation lets me see the best in people, in nature, and in our city and they’re all beautiful. 

Phone:(303) 481-1974 ext 700

Email:ryan@greenwayfoundation.org

Shelley Jewell - Finance Director

Finance Director

Shelley Jewell

Shelley officially joined our team in November 2015. However, Shelley was part of the Greenway community much earlier through her involvement with SPREE as a Denver Public Schools teacher. Shelley received her undergraduate degree from Bates College and a master in education from the University of Colorado at Denver. As an educator, Shelley took her third, fourth and fifth graders on field trips along the South Platte River and began to get more and more involved with the work and mission of The Greenway Foundation over the years. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Shelley has always loved being by the water. As a mother of two, Shelley cherishes family bike rides along the South Platte that include visiting her favorite riverside park, Grant Frontier, skipping rocks in the river and searching for crawdads. 

Shelley is an expert at juggling many responsibilities and staying focused on the task at hand and will tell you that her favorite part of working with Greenway is that no two days are ever the same. 

The river in Shelley’s words: My true love for the South Platte River started when I was a teacher and took my students gold panning at Grant Frontier Park—watching kids connect with water and nature right in their own backyard. It doesn’t get any better than learning about where you live. Grant Frontier remains my absolute favorite park and access to the river in Denver.  I now get to take my own kiddos there. 

Email:shelley@greenwayfoundation.org

Phone:(303) 481-1974 ext 701

Rachel Gillette – SPREE Grants & Partnerships Director

Grants & Partnerships Director

Rachel Gillette

Rachel started at The Greenway Foundation as a seasonal educator before joining the SPREE team full time in March 2012. A Michigan native, Rachel began her career in environmental education working at the Kalamazoo Nature Center Camp during her summers home from college. She continued to pursue her interest in the environment at The University of Michigan, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s from the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Rachel relocated to Colorado in 2009, and has spent the past decade working on and overseeing Greenway’s education programs. 

Rachel is a true Greenway champion, telling everyone how much she loves working with a group of people who are passionate about nature, truly care about our community, and are as much friends as co-workers. She loves the mountains and sunshine of Colorado, but as a former Michigander, water has always been an important part of her life.

The river in Rachel’s words: I’ve fallen in love with the South Platte River over the past decade plus, working for many years as a SPREE Educator searching for crawdads, panning for gold, testing water quality, and just having fun with countless children in our programs. Though I get less time in the water in my current position, I now get to bring my son to the river and see his joy discovering critters, tossing rocks, and just splashing around in the water. 

Email:rachel@greenwayfoundation.org

Phone:(303) 481-1974 ext 702

Julianne Gagnon - Education Director

Community Engagement & Volunteer Director

Julianne Gagnon

Julianne started with SPREE as a seasonal educator when she moved out to Colorado in 2016 and quickly became a full-time staff member later that year. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 with a degree in environmental studies, Spanish, and communication design. 

Originally from New York, Julianne lived in Boston working at an online school for two years, and also worked for a community garden organization in St. Louis, leading student outdoors trips to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas. She loves climbing rocks and mountains, and is very proud of her chocolate chip cookie recipe. She loves getting outside and sharing the magic in our local (urban!) ecosystems. Julianne is committed to teaching kids about science and nature, and was happy to find others as excited as she is about native grasses and macros and birds of prey. 

The river in Julianne’s words: The impact that the South Platte River has had on our city can’t be overstated. The unique connection between Denver and the river creates an incredible opportunity for learning about nature and ecosystems, but also about people and history. I think place-based education is not only a fun and an effective way to connect with learners, but a critically important form of teaching, and I’m so happy that I get to implement place-based learning on a daily basis through the South Platte.

Email:julianne@greenwayfoundation.org

Phone:(303) 481-1974 ext 704

Education Director

Bekky Harkins

Bekky is a passionate environmental educator with The Greenway Foundation. She started as a seasonal educator in 2013, lead the camp programs for several years, and eventually became the education director in 2019. Bekky left TGF after 7 wonderful years to focus on raising her two kids. She rejoined the team in 2022 and is now reenergized and ready to again share her joy and passion for Colorado waterways and environments with the kids of Denver and beyond. Bekky moved to Colorado from Wisconsin and Iowa in 2011 after earning Bachelor’s degrees in biology and anthropology from Luther College. She enjoys reading, crafting, camping, hiking, and exploring new parks and regions in Colorado with her family. 

Email:bekky@greenwayfoundation.org

Phone:303-481-1974 ext 706

Destiny Morales - Environmental Educator

Youth Programs Manager

Destiny Morales

Destiny was born and raised in Colorado. She started off as a river ranger with SPREE in 2018 where she discovered her love for teaching and the environment. She was a river ranger for two summers and came back for a third summer working as a seasonal staff member. In her free time, you can usually find Destiny taking hikes with her family. She is an animal lover who has three dogs and a snake. Destiny loves following her passion in environmental education while having fun with participants in Greenway events. It’s her hope to bring her own multicultural perspective to SPREE and help high schoolers realize their goals in the environment.

The river in Destiny’s words: I grew up with a creek very close to my house. I remember being amazed by all of the different things I could find in a small creek. The Greenway Foundation introduced me to a river and I fell in love. There was so much to see and explore.

Email:destiny@greenwayfoundation.org

Phone Number:303-481-1974 ext 708

eeCorps Member; Youth Engagement Specialist

Tianna Kell

Tianna Kell (she/they) is serving as a Youth Engagement Specialist at The Greenway Foundation in Denver, Colorado. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from the University of North Texas in the fall of 2022 with a degree in History. Since then they’ve explored their love for Environmental Education which eventually led them to Colorado to be closer to the outdoors. She’s excited to continue connecting with the younger generations to expand their love and interest in the outdoors. In her free time she enjoys camping, reading, extensive embroidery projects, and developing her cooking skills.

email:tianna@greenwayfoundation.org

Chief SPREE Force Agent, SPREE Mascot

Chompers the SPREEver

Chompers is a cool dude, foraging for his food, livin’ his life by the South Platte River. He has fur on his face, he loves that tree taste, leaving his mark all over the place. He will, he will, chomp you. Chompers became a member of the SPREE team on December 9th, 2004. He started out as a part time mascot and generally lovable guy. As the SPREE team started to realize that he was a straight shooter with upper management potential, Chompers took on a more active role for SPREE. In September of 2008, Chompers founded the SPREE Force to help keep the South Platte River clean from drain to stream. 

The river in Chompers’ words: The river is everything to me! What could be better than making new friends who love it as much as I do?! Let’s have some fun!  I can teach you how to keep my home clean and beautiful for all of us to enjoy.

Crusher

SPREE Force Agent

Crusher the Crawdad

Crusher’s pretty cool, too, watch out he might pinch you, livin’ his life under one big rock. Crawdad, crayfish, call him what you wish, eatin’ dead leeches, his favorite dish. He will, he will, pinch you. Crusher is Chompers’ right-hand man, and he was the first to sign up as a Special Agent in the SPREE Force when Chompers first founded it. Since then he has been working hard to do his part to keep the South Platte River safe and clean. Chompers always looks for help from Crusher when he finds himself in a “pinch.”

The river in Crusher’s words: You might think my tastes run a little gross, but I assure you this river is the best place in all the world. Let me show you!

We encourage you to get in touch with our staff with any questions, comments, or compliments. If you’re not sure which member of our team can best help you, please use our contact form.

Contact Us

Board of Directors

Kip Stastny, Chair
Chair

Kip Stastny

Bar Chadwick, Vice Chair
Vice Chair

Bar Chadwick

Brent Applebaum, Secretary
Secretary/Treasurer

Brent Applebaum

Jon Bridges
Member

Jon Bridges

Sarah Dominick
Member

Sarah Dominick

Larry Elrod
Member

Larry Elrod

Tiana Stastny
Member

Tiana Stastny

Member

Dominic Weilminster

Grace Lopez Ramirez headshot
Member

Grace López Ramirez

Tony Curcio
Member

Tony Curcio

Nita Gonzales
Member

Nita Gonzales, M.Ed.

Member

Bao Chongtua

Member

Ruth Elizabeth Morris

MEMBER

Julie Anderson

Kip Stastny, Chair

Chair

Kip Stastny

Property Management

Bar Chadwick, Vice Chair

Vice Chair

Bar Chadwick

Urban Land Use Consultant

Brent Applebaum, Secretary

Secretary/Treasurer

Brent Applebaum

Principal, Creativity Challenge Community (C3)

Jon Bridges

Member

Jon Bridges

City Of Englewood

Sarah Dominick

Member

Sarah Dominick

Senior Associate, Hazen and Sawyer

Larry Elrod

Member

Larry Elrod

Quantum Corp

Tiana Stastny

Member

Tiana Stastny

Bioinformatics Software Developer, Horizon Discovery

Member

Dominic Weilminster

Points West Design Works

Grace Lopez Ramirez headshot

Member

Grace López Ramirez

Xcel Energy

Tony Curcio

Member

Tony Curcio

Apex Underground

Nita Gonzales

Member

Nita Gonzales, M.Ed.

Nuevo Amanecer, LLC

Member

Bao Chongtua

Mile High Flood District

Member

Ruth Elizabeth Morris

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

MEMBER

Julie Anderson

Denver Water

Supporters

The Greenway Foundation depends on the support of our partners, donors, and sponsors to carry out our mission. These organizations make our work possible.

Leading Supporters

 
Mile High Flood District
The Nature Conservancy
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Elitch Gardens
Riverfront Park Community Foundation
Denver Department of Parks and Recreation
Turner Construction
Xcel Energy
BPX Energy Inc.
DaVita
The River Mile Foundation
 
All Our Supporters

The Greenway Foundation

1820 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202

info@greenwayfoundation.org

303.481.1974

FEIN: 51-0193575

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