Light kisses the top cliffs in the Grand Canyon

Stephanie Smith

GIS Director

Fueled by a passion to live in the West, Stephanie uprooted her life in North Carolina and joined the Trust in April 2012 to build the GIS Program for the Trust. She has a M.A. and B.S. in geography from Appalachian State University with a focus on biogeography and geographic information systems. Prior to joining the Trust, she served as the GIS specialist for the ASU Energy Center and as an instructor for Appalachian State University’s Geography Department. She often calls herself the nerd behind the map, but she is much more than that. She is an avid hiker, cook, crafter, and community activist. Look for her on the trails and at local shows.

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Plateau favorites

  • Desert colors after the rain
  • Kane Ranch
  • Evening glow at dusk
  • Cow Canyon Trading Post
  • Juxtaposed alpine peaks to towering sandstone

Interests & hobbies

  • Hiking, camping, and exploring new & old places
  • Gardening
  • Discovering exciting foods
  • Cooking for friends (anyone) 
  • Sewing and crafting

Little-known facts

  • Gardening is a requirement for life
  • I play the violin and piano
  • To knit and crochet without looking at the needles is my goal
  • Hiking in anything but sandals trips me every time

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