Gretel Follingstad

Ms. Follingstad is currently a PhD candidate in Planning and Design at the University of Colorado, Denver. Gretel’s research focuses on building water resilience for drought prone, rapidly growing communities under the pressures of climate change. Gretel examines water resilience at three scales: individual water use determinants, spatial design and land use planning adaptations and collaborative policy solutions. Gretel comes to this level of study with extensive experience in land use and water planning. One of the key elements of her tenure as a planner is an emphasis on linking natural resource sustainability with the planning process. Gretel has broad experience working with and for government agencies and private organizations in project management, public outreach, public speaking (and facilitation) and GIS mapping. Gretel has specialized experience in water resource planning, watershed restoration and management, as well as land use and open space planning. Gretel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Management and Latin American Studies, a Masters degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and a Certificate in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Colorado, Boulder.