Current and Recent projects

Saratoga PLAN: Larissa and Strong Outcomes, LLC are teaming to support a community engagement effort and management planning assistance for Saratoga PLAN’s newest property in Saratoga County, Snake Hill. Ongoing.

Springside Landscape Restoration: Larissa is leading the 2024 strategic visioning effort for Springside National Historic Landmark, the former country estate of Matthew Vassar in Poughkeepsie, NY. Ongoing.

Walkway Over the Hudson: Larissa is leading the 2024 strategic planning effort for Walkway Over the Hudson, including stakeholder engagement with NYS Bridge Authority and NYS Parks, Restoration & Historic Preservation. Ongoing.

Warren County: Larissa is teaming with SE Group to provide strategic planning and community engagement services to guide Warren County through its forward-thinking Outdoor Recreation Economy Strategic Plan. Ongoing.

Town of North Elba / Village of Lake Placid: Larissa is assisting SE Group with its leadership of the Joint Town and Village Comprehensive Plan Update. In particular, Larissa will be focused on integrating scenario planning through the process and leading on climate change-related planning elements. Ongoing.

Rensselaer Plateau Alliance: Larissa is assisting Strong Outcomes, LLC, with a strategic plan update for Rensselaer Plateau Alliance as it merges with Rensselaer Land Trust. Ongoing.

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway: Larissa is working with park staff and partners at Saint Croix Riverway in Wisconsin as they explore opportunities for visitor use at Fairy Falls, and the development of a trail connection in the park. Larissa is writing NEPA and other required federal documentation for the project, and providing general planning support for the process. Ongoing.

Mohonk Preserve: Larissa facilitated the 2022/2023 strategic plan for Mohonk Preserve board and staff. The preserve protects more than 8,000 acres of diverse habitats and associated viewsheds and recreation sites in the Shawangunk Mountains.

Westchester Parks Foundation: Larissa facilitated the 2022/2023 strategic plan for Westchester Parks Foundation board and staff. The Foundation supports public engagement and programming for parks and trails on 18,000+ acres managed by the Westchester County Parks department.

Columbia Land Conservancy: Larissa provided facilitation and planning support to the Columbia Land Conservancy for their Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan. Led by Strong Outcomes, LLC, this collaborative stakeholder process focused on conservation of forest and watershed health in Columbia County, New York, and protection of drinking water supply for the City of Hudson.

Hudson River Watershed Alliance: Larissa recently completed facilitating the strategic plan for the Hudson River Watershed Alliance board and staff. The Hudson River Watershed Alliance works throughout the Hudson River Valley to protect local waters and empower community engagement.

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park: Larissa facilitated the board of directors and staff of the Schoodic Institute through a strategic planning process in 2021 and 2022. The board, staff, and stakeholders defined their mission, vision, goals, and core values for this Research Learning Center, a public-nonprofit partnership of the National Park Service.

Eagle River Water and Sanitation District: Larissa assisted the District in their role as a key stakeholder in the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project, including NEPA consultation, technical team support, and project management assistance. Larissa also provided general NEPA training and support to ERWSD staff and board members.

National Park Service Climate Change Webinar Series: Larissa serves as a guest speaker, scenario planning expert, and team guide for NPS resource managers, hosted by the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and NPS colleagues.

Community Office for Resource Efficiency: Larissa provided ongoing facilitation and strategic advising to the staff and board of directors of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency in Pitkin County, Colorado.

Aspen Chapel Next 50: Larissa developed the community engagement process for Aspen Chapel’s “Together the Chapel” project, which will determine priorities for programs and facilities at the Chapel for the next fifty years.

Compact of Colorado Communities: Larissa supported the City of Aspen Climate Action team and the Compact of Colorado Communities with facilitation and strategic planning needs.

City of Boulder: Larissa worked with City of Boulder Climate Initiatives Division to advance scenario planning and other resilience tools in neighborhood and municipal planning efforts.

Watershed Biodiversity Initiative: Larissa provided strategic planning and facilitation guidance to the Watershed Biodiversity Initiative based in the Roaring Fork Valley. She also served as panel host for WBI’s session at the April 2019 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Partners in the Outdoors Conference.

City of Aspen Climate Action Plan: Larissa facilitated the City of Aspen's Climate Action Plan in 2016 and 2017, and facilitated a stakeholder process in 2019 during an update to the plan. Led by the City of Aspen Climate Action Office, this community planning effort included a robust stakeholder process to guide mitigation of local greenhouse gas emissions. Larissa also facilitated the stakeholder process for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit process, sponsored by the City of Aspen and the Community Office for Resource Efficiency.

Great Outdoors Colorado Inspire Initiative / Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement: Larissa facilitated the stakeholder and steering committee process for Great Outdoors Colorado Inspire Initiative grant recipients in Eagle County from 2015 to 2017, and facilitated an update to the project in 2019. The Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement connects youth in under-served communities to environmental and outdoor programs and natural areas. Project partners include Walking Mountains Science Center (lead), Eagle County Public Health, SOS Outreach, Eagle County Public Schools, and numerous other local partners.

Aspen Valley Land Trust: Larissa facilitated community meetings and providing strategic planning for the Aspen Valley Land Trust during their recent conservation planning and community outreach efforts.

Eagle Valley Climate Action Plan: Larissa served as a co-facilitator of the Eagle Valley Climate Action Plan from 2015 to 2017. Partners include the Walking Mountains Science Center (lead) and Eagle County government. This community-based plan includes greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, and projects to help achieve those goals. Watch Larissa's presentation to the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners here.

Knapp Ranch / Actively Green Certification: Larissa worked with Knapp Ranch to implement Walking Mountain Science Center’s Actively Green sustainable business certification program. Actively Green will guide goals, policies, and actions in all areas at the ranch, from farm and forest management operations to events and grounds.

Vail Symposium / Eagle River Watershed Council: Larissa organized and moderated a panel including guests from the Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Minturn Town Council to discuss “The History and Future of the Eagle Mine.” Watch a video of the August 2017 panel discussion, hosted by High Five Access Media.

SE Group: Larissa worked as a Senior Associate for SE Group in Frisco, Colorado from 2016 to 2018. See the SE Group webpage for more information. During that time, Larissa was invited to serve on the consultant team for the Boulder County Government Resiliency Coordination Plan. Other project management included Vail Resorts Golden Peak Improvements Project and McGaffey Forest and Watershed Restoration Project.

City of Aspen Conditional Water Storage Rights Project: In 2016, Larissa facilitated a process for a community dialogue about the City of Aspen's conditional water storage rights. The process included both stakeholder and public meetings in order to provide meaningful feedback to Aspen City Council. See this Aspen Times article about the project. 

Eagle River Water and Sanitation District: Larissa facilitated the Employee Housing Master Plan process in 2016, as part of a larger project to create new District employee housing in Eagle County.

Vail Centre for Sustainability: In 2015 and 2016, Larissa served as the director of the Vail Centre for Sustainability, a non-profit destination learning center. The Vail Centre brought mid-career, higher education opportunities to adult learners via university certificates and local educational programming.