Meet Rob Edward | President of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rob Edward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rob, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As a young man, just out of the Air Force and college, jumping in to work for a small nonprofit whose sole mission is to restore wolves to the Southern Rockies was a monumental risk. I eschewed the typical benefits of corporate life, including health insurance, retirement savings, and sometimes even a paycheck. At about five years in the risks became more stark, as I encountered people willing to make threats to kill me because they disagreed with my organization’s goals.

Now, thirty years on, I can say that taking the risks I did instilled in me a keen sense that positive, global change is possible, however incremental such change might be. For me and my merry band of activists and biologists, it took thirty years, but we now have wolves on the ground in Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains are the better for it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As the President of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, my work is driven by a deep passion for wildlife and a commitment to restoring integrity to Colorado’s ecosystems. Over the course of my career, I’ve worked to bring together people from all walks of life—ranchers, conservationists, scientists, and policymakers—around a shared vision of living in relative peace with wolves on the landscape again. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished.

The successful campaign for Proposition 114, which mandated the reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado, stands out as one of the most meaningful milestones in my career. Seeing wolves return to these landscapes is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we work together for something bigger than ourselves.

Challenges are omnipresent—political opposition, public misconceptions about wolves, and the delicate task of fostering dialogue between groups that often see the world from very different extremes. By focusing on the science and emphasizing the ecological benefits of wolves—like their role in restoring balance to ecosystems—I’ve been able to help shift perspectives and build bridges between people who might otherwise be at odds.

Along the way, I’ve learned some invaluable lessons about resilience and the power of listening. Genuine change happens when we take the time to hear all voices, even those that challenge us. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential if we want to create solutions that work for everyone. For me, this work is about more than just wolves—it’s about repairing our relationship with nature and recognizing our responsibility as stewards of this planet.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So much to pack into a week!

Day 1: Downtown
– Morning: Coffee and breakfast at Snooze.
– Afternoon: The Denver Art Museum.
– Evening: Dinner at Rioja in Larimer Square, a must-visit for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, followed by stroll around Larimer Square.

Day 2: Outdoors [Weather Permitting]
– Morning: Red Rocks for a hike.
– Afternoon: Morrison for lunch and a stroll.
– Evening: Grab a craft beer Burns Family Ales.

Day 3: Get Local(er)
– Morning: Wander through RiNo, checking out murals, galleries, and the Denver Central Market.
– Afternoon: Lunch at El Taco de Mexico.
– Evening: A pint or two at the Vine Street Pub.

Day 4: Blinded by Science
– Morning & Afternoon: Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
– Evening: Dinner at the Barolo Grill, in Cherry Creek North.

Day 5: Union Station & Highlands
– Morning: Brunch at Union Station’s Mercantile Dining & Provision.
– Afternoon: Wander the Highlands.
– Evening: Dinner at Work & Class.

Day 6: Rest!
– Morning: Coffee and a book at Corvus Coffee Roasters.
– Afternoon: Lunch Kisbee on the Roof.
– Evening: Dinner at Cuba Cuba.

Day 7: Farewell!
– Morning: More coffee at Corvus Coffee Roasters!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Who knows where I’d be were it not for my mothers: Joan and Earth. Joan gave me life, nurtured me despite her pain, taught me to ask more questions than there were answers for, and, ultimately, introduced me to the Great Mother, Earth.

Earth taught me humility, taught me the acceptance of pain whilst bearing witness, taught me wonder. Further round the circle, Earth opened her arms to Joan, cradling her, reshaping her into birds, trees and wolves.

Website: https://www.rockymountainwolfproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockymtnwolf/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockymtnwolf

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rockymountainwolfproject8988

Other: https://bsky.app/profile/rmwp.bsky.social

Image Credits
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Anne Edward