Led by a highly recognized group of steering committee member organizations including: Yellowstone to Yukon, Round River Conservation Studies, American Wildlands, Heart of the West Coalition, Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project, Grand Canyon Wildlands Council, Naturalia, Defenders of Wildlife Southwest Office, and Wildlands Project, the Spine of the Continent Campaign will be guided by a new strategic plan developed over several months by Seattle-based Pyramid Communications.

The strategic plan's first phase will be unveiled at the 5th Spine of Continent Campaign Planning Workshop to be held at the Denver Zoo in mid-September. The campaign is intended to build capacity for on-the-ground work being done by steering committee organizations, create a refined communications network among partner groups, and launch a continental outreach effort designed to focus attention on the ecological importance of the Spine of the Continent region. - Kim Vacariu