Keynote Speaker: Dr. Anna Clare Monlezun Dr. Anna Clare Monlezun is a rangeland ecosystem scientist, synthesizer, and collaborative facilitator. She considers herself a life-long student of nature who thrives in interdisciplinary work environments, assisting stakeholders in the interface of ranching and conservation. She offers state-of-the-science knowledge and practical engagement in agroecology, grazing management, rangeland science, agrivoltaics, and ecosystem services valuation. A Colorado rancher herself, she contributes her unique skillset as the Founder of Graze LLC and Chief Executive Officer of the Rangeland Living Laboratory Inc. Through these entities she enjoys working in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, National STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources), Kateri Environmental, the Quivira Coalition, Grazewell Regenerative Ranching, and some of the nation’s top land grant universities to develop and carry out research and paradigm-shifting programs. Bridging the worlds of agriculture and energy, Anna Clare currently serves as the Agrivoltaics Research Lead for a joint program of Silicon Ranch, Colorado State University, and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Grants Leader for an Agrivoltaic Analytical Studies project of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the American Solar Grazing Association, and the Agrivoltaics Consultant for globally recognized The Nature Conservancy. She was also honored to serve on the Agrivoltaics World Conference 2024 Scientific Committee and continues to work as a consultant for other budding agrivoltaics projects across the country. She brings to the field of agrivoltaics and the energy industry a “systems” perspective, where ecosystem stewardship is equally paramount to the production of energy. A published scientific and popular writer, musician, and poet, Anna Clare enjoys bridging the worlds of science, art, and land stewardship. She appreciates not only talking the “talk,” but walking the “walk” and being a work-in-progress example for the things she loves, believes in, and promotes. She holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature and Humanities, an M.A. in Community Counseling, an international Post-Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts: Therapy, Consultation, and Social Change, an M.S. in Animal Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability.Â
