DJ Shook
Senior Project Manager/Biologist
DJ Shook decided to dedicate his career to ecological restoration while earning his degree in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan. He has spent over twenty-one years in the field working for a Tribal Government, the State of Washington Department of Ecology, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, as well as over six years with his current employer, the Conservation Resource Alliance. His work includes improving habitat and opening fish passage for Salmon and Steelhead populations in Washington State as well as leading aquatic habitat restoration and fish passage initiatives in northwest Lower Michigan.
All Sessions by DJ Shook
Restoring What Connects Us
The world of conservation is one where funding is competitive, resources are limited, and support can waver. Encouragingly, it’s also a field driven by passion, grounded in collaboration, and strengthened by partnerships that create opportunity. Together, we can achieve far more than any of us could alone. The Crystal River Initiative demonstrates what is possible when tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and community partners come together around a shared vision for conservation. Explore how collaboration restored a healthier river system while improving public access, strengthening recreation opportunities, and honoring the cultural and spiritual connections that people have with the landscape. Using the Crystal River as a case study, presenters will share lessons learned from building partnerships, navigating complex restoration projects, and balancing ecological, recreational, and community priorities. Attendees will leave with practical insights into how collaborative conservation can create lasting benefits for both people and nature, and why protecting what connects us requires working together.