Broads Welcomes New Development Director
by Suzanne Strazza

Suzanne Strazza, Development Director.

I grew up in New Jersey, completely unaware of the concept of public lands. During college, I made my first trip west to Utah. Upon graduating, I packed up my car and headed west. When a boyfriend took me to the red rock canyons for the first time, my life changed irrevocably. I was almost frightened by the vastness and the indescribable beauty. Thus began my desire to wander and explore, and my education of the need to protect our public lands.

With each trip to a new place, I learned about the history of the land, the fragility of these ecosystems and the tenuous protection that our wilderness areas have. I learned that “protected” can mean “safe” or it can mean “safe only for today.”

The more that I ventured out, the more I saw that I have a responsibility to fight for Mother Nature. I worked for Colorado Outward Bound holding myself accountable for exposing students to incredible wildness while educating them about protection.

After meeting my husband, we settled down and began the balancing act of raising children, enjoying our natural world and finding work that is fulfilling and meaningful. We have taken on the challenge of raising children to be stewards of this land; boys who love to be outside and who are truly more comfortable sleeping under the stars than in a bed.

I continued in education, working for an Experiential Outward Bound high school, overseeing federal grants. I have been actively involved in many community and advocacy organizations as a volunteer and jumped at the opportunity to be employed by the Great Old Broads.

I am also a writer and journalist. I have covered many stories on environmental issues in the region, and for two years, ran a monthly column on the importance of getting out into nature with children. I believe that children are our hope, we will not be here forever, and we must depend on them to carry on the fight.

When I first discovered Broads, I was wrinkle-free. Now I have both wrinkles and gray hair. This is making me face my golden years. I see working for Broads as an investment in my 401K. I want to have wild, roadless lands to wander during the years to come, and I want to provide for my children’s future. By fighting the fight now, I am creating that future for them and future generations.

Great Old Broads would like to thank Sue Agranoff for her time as Broads Membership Assistant. Sue more than went the extra mile for Broads and we wish her well on her 2nd retirement! We welcome Alice Lang, who replaces Sue as our token MIT Broad—boy is our staff highly qualified! If you have any problems with your membership, please e-mail membership@greatoldbroads.org