CWU graduate named director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife

A Central Washington University graduate has been named the new director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Jeff Davis, who earned a biology degree from CWU in 1995, has 25 years of experience in wildlife management, conservation and habitat protection, most recently as director of conservation for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), where he served in multiple capacities for the past 22 years.

"Jeff Davis brings the values and skills we need to lead Colorado Parks and Wildlife," Colorado Governor Jared Polis said. "Our state parks and healthy wild ecosystems are a key part of what makes Colorado special. ... I look forward to redoubling our work to expand outdoor recreation opportunities and support healthy ecosystems and Jeff is the right person to move Colorado forward."

Davis has been with the WDFW since 2000, having served as an area habitat biologist, a forest and fish section manager, the deputy assistant director and the assistant director of the department's Habitat Program. As the director of conservation policy, Davis has led salmon recovery, served on the Forest Practices Board, and coordinated interdisciplinary internal teams on a variety of conservation initiatives. He has extensive experience working with leadership, legislators, tribal nations, the hunting and fishing community, conservation groups, and Washington's Fish and Wildlife Commission.

In his previous role as habitat program director at WDFW, Davis crafted legislation and regulatory approaches to habitat and biodiversity conservation, engaged in climate resiliency, sustainability and land use/management issues. He led efforts to reform and improve agency engagement with a diverse public, championed internal diversity and equity priorities and successfully navigated complex budget and personnel issues.

Now, he is looking forward to a new challenge in his career.

"It has been such an honor to work with the professionals at Washington Division of Fish and Wildlife and conserving fish and wildlife in my home state," Davis said in an article on the Colorado ag news website, The Fence Post.

"Washington State faces similar issues as Colorado of balancing outdoor recreation and wildlife management, species introduction and other wildlife management and habitat issues. But I look forward to engaging with all of the key stakeholders in Colorado, and I'm excited to lead a new team and learn more of CPW's challenges while building on their extensive successes."