It only takes a few minutes of talking with Jeremy Krones for you to realize how passionate he is about his work. A former mentor described him as able to “party with the college kids in the morning and have dinner with the cowboys in the evening” and there’s no doubt he can do both with enthusiasm, intelligence, and grace.
Questions:
Q: Are you a Grand County native? If not where you from and what brought you to Grand County?
A: No- I am from central/western Maryland, but I lived in Northern Arizona before moving to Grand County. I came here primarily because I got the job ( Executive Director of Colorado Headwaters Land Trust). I applied throughout the Intermountain West because I was missing mountains while in Arizona! I still have a great love for both Maryland and Arizona, but Grand County is my home now.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Grand County?
A: Almost two years (Labor Day weekend is my anniversary).
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career? What do you love most about what you do?
A: My parents raised us to be very conscious about our place and impact in the world, especially with regard to the natural environment. I grew up fairly rurally, and spent a lot of time outside either working (trail crews, farming, ranching) or recreating (playing in the woods, backpacking, boating). In high school, I started to figure out how I could turn my passions into a career. At the University of Maryland, I studied Ecological Anthropology, which focuses on humanity’s use of natural resources as it pertains to specific cultures or regions of the world. My first job out of college was a backcountry steward (like an assistant forest ranger) in the Adirondacks, in upstate New York. I had grown up backpacking in those mountains and still have a strong connection to that region.
After the Adirondacks, I eventually made my way to Northern Arizona where I’d spent a semester in college ‘studying abroad’ as part of the Grand Canyon Semester, an interdisciplinary and experiential program at Northern Arizona University. In Arizona, I managed the commercial vegetable operation, in addition to cowboying, on a cattle ranch just outside of Flagstaff for a year. I then transitioned to managing a collaborative conservation ranching nonprofit founded in part by the ranch on which I worked called Diablo Trust. That was my ‘real’ introduction to the nonprofit side of conservation. After a few years at Diablo Trust, I decided it was time to explore more about myself and developing career, and turned to private land conservation as my next step. That led me to apply to a wide range of land trust and other related organizations, in the Intermountain West as well as back in the Northeast.
My favorite part of working in conservation is the community it builds. I firmly believed that everyone is a conservationist, but sometimes you just have to dig, and find the right combination of specific topics-and terminology, to use in order to bridge any divides. I remember a mentor in Arizona once saying that I can, “party with the college kids in the morning and have dinner with the cowboys in the evening”, implying that political, social, and cultural divides don’t bother me. Not only is that true on its surface, but she had witnessed that happen on multiple occasions.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Grand County and what are your favorite meals there?
A: I like Azteca for their chicken fajitas, Pearl Dragon for their Kung Pao Chicken (with egg drop soup and an egg roll), both Lion Head and Java Lava for their veggie burritos and coffee, and Fraser Valley Distilling for their delicious spirits.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I’d love to work on a yak ranch in Magnolia (it’s been in my list for a long time), or spend time in Central and Eastern Europe like Budapest and Vienna as well as in their countrysides.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: Choosing one is so difficult! My tastes run the gamut, but I’m partial to action and adventure. That last movie that really amazed me was Arrival. Some of my favorite shows are Yellowstone, Misfits, and Letterkenny.
Q: What advice would you give someone moving to Grand County?
A: If you take time to meet others on their level and ingratiate yourself in the community, you’ll have a good future wherever you live. Get involved with your local government and civic organizations, meet your neighbors over the fence, and be willing to wait your turn to talk. You won’t be the new person for very long but it might take some time for you to be seen as a ‘local’. Just don’t hole yourself away because Grand County has loads to offer and or community is always evolving.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I have two bucket lists, one for big things that may or may not happen and another for smaller, more achievable goals. Something from my small bucket is to hike the Continental Divide Trail. Something from my big bucket is to take a motorcycle trip all the way down to the tip of Chile and then spend some time there before sailing back to the coast. I know how to sail but I have yet to ride a motorcycle any further than the end of my driveway.
Q: What is your go-to band or favorite music when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: Klezmer and classic country are my top go-to genres but like with movies my music tastes are varied and inconsistent.
Q: What do you like to do during your free time?
A: Reading, studying, writing, playing music, hiking/backpacking, and working on my house (construction and gardening).
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you take them for lunch?
A: The author China Miéville. His books have an honored place in my library and I love his ability to intertwine serious social philosophy with innovative plots and creative character arcs. I would make us a full meal at home and have a picnic in the Corral Peaks meadow.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Grand County?
A: The shared appreciation for the open spaces around which we live. Whether you hunt, hike, fish, bike or just like getting lost on the spiderweb of forest roads, spend a few minutes at the bar (or at the bar’s outdoor seating) and you’ll have plenty of conversations with the strangers next to you about all the wonders of Grand County.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: Still here, effecting positive change and community growth.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I’ve broken all four limbs at least once, had heart surgery as a baby and stitches (and maybe a concussion). I’m not clumsy or a risk-taker, I just happen to fall off cliffs occasionally.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: The Eastern High Peaks of the Adirondacks Mountains. Regardless of where I might be living those mountains will always have a special place in my heart and in my mind.
Q: If you were cast in a movie and could choose your co-star, who would it be?
A: My friend David. We grew up together and while we’ve taken very different paths, we have a lot in common and could make quite a good ‘buddy’ movie if given the chance.
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: I’m not the best with cars so maybe a mechanic? Otherwise, I’m fairly self-sufficient!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: Everyone who works against me. If I can overcome their negativity, I can be better.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: A field of wildflowers after a heavy summer storm.
Q: What is that one business that you would like to see in grand County that currently isn’t here.
A: A classic bookstore. A place to relax, read, drink tea or coffee (or something stronger after-hours), and engage with others on good books and publications.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Identity, Safety, and Community.
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