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2007 Republican Environmental Leadership Conference

It was something very different for REP (and something of a risk) ... and it was wonderful!

For the first time ever, we held a two-day conference and extended invitations far beyond our membership ranks to offer specific environmental insights and information that Republican candidates and elected officials need to be competitive. A number of candidates showed up, including Jim McGrody, running for Congress in Texas. Also participating were representatives of other environmental groups: Tony Massaro of the League of Conservation Voters, Amy McNamara of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and Sean McMahon of the National Wildlife Federation.

Our speakers not only brought expertise but also impressive GOP credentials to help us frame a message to improve our party’s positions on environmental and conservation issues. Those who attended received in-depth and perceptive instruction on key topics of interest to thoughtful Republicans.

From our inspirational Friday afternoon speakers, Rod Dreher and Dr. Joel Hunter, to our Saturday morning keynoter, Dr. Whit Ayres, and our dinner speaker Dr. Terry Maple—and straight through a dozen other tremendous speakers on both Friday and Saturday—it was a good-natured and supportive gathering of kindred spirits from around the country. attended.

Unfortunately, not all speakers are included in this photo essay. For space reasons, we’ve chosen to spotlight REP members.

REP plans to hold the same kind of event in the fall of 2009. The next one will be even better, since we did learn a few important lessons from our experience this year.

Shown below, top to bottom, left to right:

1st row: Our keynote speaker, Republican pollster Dr. Whit Ayres (2 photos)

2nd row: Our dinner speaker, Dr. Terry Maple (co-author with Newt Gingrich of A Contract with the Earth)
Rod Dreher (Dallas Morning News columnist, author of Crunchy Cons)

3rd row: Dr. Joel Hunter (senior pastor of Northland Church, author of Right Bird, Wrong Wing)
State Representative Kathy McCoy (New Mexico)

4th row: Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll (Arizona)
State Senator Tom Harman (California)

5th row: Mesa County Commissioner Steve Acquafresca (Colorado)
State Representative Sandy Cole (Illinois)

6th row: Katharine Hayhoe (professor at Texas Tech University, CEO of ATHOS)
"serial entrepreneur" Dr. Ned Godshall (New Mexico)

7th row: Former State Representative Ted Leach (New Hampshire)
State Representative Fred Jarrett (Washington State)
REP Chapter President Scott MacCurdy (New Mexico)