Co-Creating a Thriving Region for People and Nature
The mission of Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA) is to align nature-based efforts to ensure more equitable access to nature and to promote healthy people, communities, and natural places.
Connecting Local Action to Statewide Impact
Metro DNA is the designated Regional Partnership for the seven-county Metro Denver region within Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy. We bring together communities, governments, and organizations to align priorities, strengthen collaboration, and advance solutions for people and nature.
Building a Regional Vision for People and Nature
The Metro Denver Nature Alliance is committed to fostering equitable access to nature and promoting the health of people, communities, and ecosystems across the seven-county metro Denver region. To help realize this goal, Metro DNA contracted the Keystone Policy Center to develop a Regional Vision for People and Nature. The Regional Vision will ultimately represent a shared set of goals, principles, and/or priorities guiding regional conservation and program investments in the Denver Metro region.
How the Regional Vision Connects to Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy
The Regional Vision for People and Nature aligns directly with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, ensuring that regional priorities contribute to statewide goals for conservation, climate resilience, and equitable access to the outdoors.
Metro DNA is excited to support a second round of Regional Vision Demonstration Project grants! Members of both the Executive and Steering Committees evaluated and selected the Regional Vision Demonstration Projects using a fair scoring process that reflected the priorities identified by the Regional Equity Assessment and Regional Conservation Assessment.
Metro DNA is proudly supporting eight demonstration projects in the metro Denver region that exemplify cohesion of our Regional Equity and Conservation Assessments and support productive alliances for people and nature.
For more information, please review the Regional Vision Demonstration Project page.
2025 Regional Vision Demonstration Project Grants
We Value People & Nature
On March 21, 2019, the Metro DNA Steering Committee adopted a set of Equity Principles and Commitments. These principles and commitments help guide our work, expand our collaborative conservation network, and govern the projects we undertake in partnership.
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Metro DNA acknowledges a broad definition of nature that embraces a diverse range of landscapes and nature-based experiences. Metro DNA is committed to fostering mutual respect for the many ways that people connect with, define, and engage with nature
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Metro DNA strives to reduce barriers that prevent equitable access to outdoor spaces, decision making processes, and other resources related to engagement in nature and the outdoors. We commit to working to reduce these barriers by supporting community voice in Metro DNA and partner projects, encouraging partners to engage in working toward equity in their own organizations, and bringing grassroots and institutional organizations together to collaborate inauthentically building toward the Metro DNA vision together
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Metro DNA strives to build a leadership team and network of partners that is representative of the Metro Denver Area. We are committed to creating an environment that is equitably inclusive, safe, supportive, and free of harassment, prejudice, and discrimination.
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Metro DNA recognizes the presence of historical and institutional barriers that have been in place and disproportionally affect under-resourced communities based on race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, disability status, geography, age and other identity factors.
Metro DNA is committed to reducing institutional barriers that impact access to nature and participation in nature-based work by deeply listening to marginalized voices, leading and participating in projects aimed at barrier reduction, and creating opportunities for growth and learning regarding equity in the outdoors for Metro DNA partners.
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Metro DNA acknowledges the inequalities of power and privilege that shape our current systems. Metro DNA is committed to supporting leaders in better identifying, talking productively about, and addressing the many types of disparities and their consequences.
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Metro DNA is committed to the responsible and ethical use of all data and information gathered for collaborative projects. The data will be used to increase equitable access and participation in nature and the outdoors and collected in ways that uplift people with marginalized identities.
Our Projects
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Regional Equity Assessment
Transforming access to nature in the region through a vision rooted in equity and conservation. Explore the Six Dimensions of Equity in Nature and be part of this transformative journey.
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Regional Conservation Assessment
Addressing the challenges of rapid growth, protecting vital lands, and the balance between urban development and nature. Learn how Colorado's rapid urban growth impacts our natural environment.
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Regional Vision Demonstration Projects
Metro DNA is offering funding for projects that enhance habitat protection, equitable access to nature, and community well-being. Explore our funding criteria and see if your project qualifies for funding.
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Regional Vision for People + Nature
Metro DNA is partnering with the Keystone Policy Center to develop a Regional Vision for People and Nature—a shared framework guiding conservation and environmental equity efforts across the seven-county metro area.
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Metro DNA sends periodic newsletters with updates about meetings, projects and community involvement. Sign up here to learn more!