Strengthening Alliances:

We believe in the power of collective action.

Civic Engagement:

We advocate for a future where everyone has access to the outdoors and truly belongs.

Through data-driven advocacy, we confront policies and practices that limit access to and belonging in the outdoors. By engaging with and elevating historically unheard voices, we strive to create a more inclusive outdoor culture and ensure that nature’s benefits are a shared resource for generations to come.

Jason Swann

Co-founder | Executive Director

Jason Swann is the Founder and Executive Director of Rising Routes Alliance and serves as the Intermountain West Conservation Finance Director at Trust for Public Land. Based in Denver, he leads efforts to design and advance sustainable public funding systems for parks, trails, schoolyards, outdoor recreation, and public lands through policy, legislation, and ballot initiatives.

Through his work, Jason has helped generate more than half a billion dollars in public funding to expand outdoor access and community-centered investment. Jason helped establish the Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program and serves on the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Advisory Council. His focus is on strengthening the systems that govern public investment—ensuring they expand opportunity, elevate community voices, and advance equity across the outdoors.

Mary McKean

Co-founder | Director of Operations

Mary is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Rising Routes Alliance and serves as a Planning Specialist with the National Park Service. Based in Denver, she collaborates with park, regional, and senior leadership on large-scale infrastructure planning, supporting the disbursement of over three billion in annual federal investment for long-term management, resource protection, and access at park units nationwide.

Mary spent seven years working as an environmental educator leading nature, farm, and overnight programs in New York, Colorado, Arizona, and California. She holds an MPA from Cornell University and an MBA from the Valar Institute. Her focus is on building practical, scalable systems that expand equitable access to nature – cultivating stewardship, belonging, and lasting care.